Grading Coins - "photograde"? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 12 / Views: 2,328
Tom Dudones New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 10:38 am I've been out of the hobby for decades, but back in now. I've been using Ruddy's Photograde to try and grade my collection of US coins. Is this still a viable meathod to grade or has grading changed conciderably since this book was published in 1972? As an example here's my 1919/18 Capped Half Dollar and the corresonding page from Ruddy - I would grade the coin as VF to possibly EF. But is this method still viable? * Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. * Report this Post to the Staff

CoinCollector2012 Pillar of the Community United States 8137 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 10:41 am to CCF and back to the hobby! If you want to learn more about grading, this site is very helpful. http://www.PCGS.com/photograde/ Report this Post to the Staff
KenKat Pillar of the Community United States 4085 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 11:13 am Hi, welcome to CCF! Agree with the above - the PCGS Photograde site is good, provides more information than the book above. Grading hasn't changed that much I don't think and so the book you have is still relevant but I would think of it as one source, not the source. The coin above I would put into the lower VF category, definitely not EF. It is a definitely a nice looking earlier date Capped Bust Half. My 7070 US Type Set My 7100 Lincoln Cent Set (now with updates!) Report this Post to the Staff
Tom Dudones New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 12:37 pm Thanks for the lead on the Photograde site. And after looking through the examples on the site I agree that it's about a VF20-25. Report this Post to the Staff
GR58 Bedrock of the Community United States 11951 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 4:08 pm Back to the hobby Most grading guides will get you very close, at least within two grades. Some collectors will lean toward a lower grade, some lean toward the higher grade. Even the grading sites will not be consistent on some coins. There are some collectors that will keep sending the same coin in to be graded, until they get the grade they want. Some coins are that close where it could go either way. One thing that needs to be learned is coins surface. If the coin was cleaned or damaged, the value of the coin will be impacted. There are grading sections here on CCF, where you can post coins and get other collectors opinions. Just remember there are many different levels of experience on this site. you will learn who the members are that have more experience. Oh ... I also agree the coin you posted is VF ... and a nice coin to own. Report this Post to the Staff
Tom Dudones New Member United States 6 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 4:45 pm Purchased that Half Dollar back around 1961 when I was in high school. I don't think I paid more than maybe 3-4 dollars for it. Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 4:52 pm Indeed welcome back, and I would agree with a VF-20 grade on your coin. Report this Post to the Staff
syeb Valued Member United States 282 Posts	Posted 06/04/2016 11:36 pm VF-20. Although at the rate things are going with resubmissions keep sending it in - it may get MS65 one day. Report this Post to the Staff
jpbone Pillar of the Community United States 1959 Posts	Posted 06/07/2016 11:51 am Hello! If you have a smart phone, PCGS has a couple apps I highly recommend for endless information. PCGS Photograde and PCGS CoinFacts. Report this Post to the Staff
syeb Valued Member United States 282 Posts	Posted 06/07/2016 3:06 pm Those are good apps. Just don't use the PCGS pricing guide. Report this Post to the Staff
jpbone Pillar of the Community United States 1959 Posts	Posted 06/07/2016 4:28 pm I agree. PCGS pricing app is useless. Super inflated. Prices are for slabbed coins only. Even then they are high. Report this Post to the Staff
panzaldi Bedrock of the Community United States 18689 Posts	Posted 06/07/2016 6:26 pm Tom. everyone above gave sound advice. one item of note is that the early halfs are notorious for weak strikes and sometimes a little more challenging to grade. this one has those indicators across the breast line and lower feathers of the wings. i'd say yours falls right between VF20 and 25. Report this Post to the Staff
murty Pillar of the Community United States 1353 Posts	Posted 06/09/2016 10:35 am I will go with VF-20 Report this Post to the Staff
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Grading Coins - "Photograde"?