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Replies: 29 / Views: 2,411 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
I placed this topic in this particular thread for the following reasons. #1, It's not dealing with TPGs, #2. It's not a thread asking for grade opinions or grading lessons, #3. I thought it might fall under general numismatic discussion. If I'm incorrect in my assumptions please forgive me and place it in the proper thread.    Many Thanks Ben Many collectors, myself included simply keep their coins in 2x2 flips or in binders of some sort. We grade the majority of our coins ourselves if the need ever arises. A very self sufficient setup with no real requirement for outside intervention or vectoring except from whatever 'Grading Guide' you may use for reference, be that ANA, RedBook, Coins -- magazine, etc. While I'm fully aware that my grades are probably not in line with what some of the TPGs would put on a slab, (up, down and sideways) one must also keep in mind that all TPGs grade differently, depending on what Grading Standard they are instructed to use. My simple question is this. If you consider yourself a self-grader do you bother to mark the flip or whatever with the grade you think the coin is or do you simply identify the date, variety and any other unique attributes the coin has and move on to the next one...? Take Care Ben
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I never bother with a grade. You'll disagree with me, anyways.  My (un-albumed) flips tend to have an assigned serial number and nothing else - I don't want to cover the coin. In an album, I'll list a variety maybe, but nothing else. All the other data is electronic.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1267 Posts |
quote: You'll disagree with me, anyways.
No, No disagreement here. I don't/rarely put the grades on the flips I use either. Take Care Ben
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
All of my 2x2's (at least my Lincolns) have the year, mint, and grade. I've spent many hours grading and re-grading and I find it handy to have it right on the 2x2.
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New Member
United States
17 Posts |
Nothing on mine except year and mint.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
628 Posts |
I note the grade. Keeps me honest. Grading is tough enough, even harder when grading the coins one owns.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5953 Posts |
I grade my flips for the most part and date them. That way as my grading improves I can double check the older ones to see where I messed up and I do all the time. I laugh at myself on some of the grades I put on some of the original 2 Cents in my collection. The grade I put on the flip will not always be the final one I decide but it gives me a quick way to sort the coins. When you have a couple of hundred 1864's putting them in grade order is the easiest way I find of sorting them.
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Valued Member
United States
226 Posts |
I also record date, mint mark and grade on my coins that are stored in 2x2's as badthad stated. I never use flips as I find them cumbersome and I worry about the coin sliding around in them. Most of my "better" coins I keep in airtite's as they display nicely in my lighthouse blue trays this way. I keep detailed records of my coins on excel spreadsheets referenced to the position in the tray, such as error attributes, toning, strike characteristics, marks, etc.
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Valued Member
United States
473 Posts |
Date and Mintmark for me :) The only coin I own with anything else written on its holder is a gold plated 1883 No Cents Liberty Head Nickel--the 2x2 says "Racketeer Nickel"
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
I include the grade on the flip for the simple reason that, should I pass on to my heavenly reward, I want my wife and sons to have some idea of possible worth.
Beyond that...there's no doubt that grading, then regrading in six months or several years, is a good way to keep your skills sharp.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
651 Posts |
I'm with Hunter, the grades on my flips are strictly for my family if they ever have to sort stuff when I'm not around.
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Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
I used to put my personal grades on the 2x2s and flip cards. Not anymore. Unlike everything else I write on there (country, date, denomination, catalogue number, collection number, where and when purchased), the condition is a personal opinion and subject to change without notice, depending on lighting, mood, and the relative quality of the coin compared to other coins I've recently looked at.
I record my personal grade opinions on my computer database, where it can be changed relatively easily if/when my opinion changes.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Rest in Peace
Australia
661 Posts |
Most sensible thread I've read for a while. rtegards,
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
I use flips and plastic strips (the year set type and State Quarter type ... I've got a nice set of five Two Cent Pieces that look very nice in a State Quarter strip), and include date, mint mark, and grade. I write in pencil, so I can change my mind regarding the grade. I use flips and strips because I like to occasionally be able to touch my coins. (Don't worry, I collect almost exclusively circulated coins, so they've been touched before.) I also keep a spreadsheet with additional details, mintages, and estimated values.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Depends how sure I am of the grade. Mostly I don't.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1267 Posts |
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Replies: 29 / Views: 2,411 |