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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,915 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5178 Posts |
I am not a fan of PCGS Photograde as their photos are all over the place with respect to toning and dates, not to mention that sometimes a higher graded coin shows more wear on the devices (in part) than the lower graded coin overall. That confuses me.
Perhaps there is a good book that shows monochrome (or color, but not toning), high quality photos of all 19th century coins? I also don't necessarily need small steps like VF30 to VF35. It could move in steps of 10 at the lower end.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
561 Posts |
Photograde by James F Ruddy has been produced for a number of years. I used to use the 1970s print of it. It had black and white scans that showed AG --> AU. It's on the 19th edition now, a 2005 publishing
The issue is that if you're hoping to distinguish low MS from high MS using the book or low MS from high AU, it just doesn't offer that
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Valued Member
United States
221 Posts |
What a timely question. I was checking out a 20 cent piece for my type set yesterday, and my local dealer and I were both using PCGS Photograde. I was really struggling with that particular coin and the set of photos on Photograde. I find Photograde helpful, but I feel like I need a written description available at the same time to direct my attention to the right areas on the coin for grading and for any special notes about grading standards. Right now, I use a paper copy of "Grading Coins by Photographs" a lot along with Photograde because the former has the written description of the grades, although there seemed to be a cut-and-paste typo in the text for the 20 cent piece.
If there is a better source,, I hope some of the other more experienced members chime in to answer your question.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5178 Posts |
How about the photo book by Bowers? Any opinion on that?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6514 Posts |
Could the PCGS App COIN FACTS be of assistance? I find their photo grade sections to be quite helpful or is that what you were referring to disliking?
Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507Edited by chafemasterj
01/03/2021 10:06 pm
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12264 Posts |
I suggest you have a look at Making the Grade, published by CoinWorld/Amos Advantage. It might just do the trick for you.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3281 Posts |
Quote:
Could the PCGS App COIN FACTS be of assistance? I find their photo grade sections to be quite helpful or is that what you were referring to disliking? I agree with this as well, the app does help quite a bit. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
Photograde by James F Ruddy has been produced for a number of years. I used to use the 1970s print of it. It had black and white scans that showed AG --> AU. It's on the 19th edition now, a 2005 publishing That's the book I learned from. Personally I prefer the original 1970 edition, I don't think the photos reproduced as well in the later editions. You do need to be aware though that the standards have changed some since then and many coins graded by the original Photograde standards will now grade higher under current standards. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If you agree with Photograde, you also agree with the fact that toning (unsightly or beautiful), has no bearing whatsoever on the grade.
I agree.
Nevertheless, I know that toning is just a very mild form of corrosion, and philosophically, should reduce the grade.
In fact, verdigris can severely reduce the grade.
That toning has an influence on the value is a different question.
Different type coins have different wear patterns.
That is why each type has it's own grading scale.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,915 |
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Posted 01/03/2021 8:38 pm
