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 Replies: 17 / Views: 2,901 |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
I would like some opinions as to what is the best book with photos to explain Coin grading. The Red Book is not specific enough and I know there has to be a better reference for us to use. Please include Title and Author and any other useful feedback. Thanks |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
I use Photograde by James Ruddy all the time. I think there have been a couple of new editions since I bought mine but it works well. It has renditions of coins in different grade showing the potential wear details. However, my copy doesn't have any actual photos of coins. They are just drawing but it works for me. It seems like they could add some genuine photo and maybe they have in newer editions but I'll stick with the one I have.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1055 Posts |
Coin Values came out with a book (I believe it is from the last year or so) called "Making The Grade" Gives photos of each grade, description of obv./ rev. for each grade and shows in color what areas on the coin surface are more or less "costly" wear or nicks. I think it is pretty good. It is in color, which I like better than the ANA Grading Standards where it is in black and white.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2150 Posts |
I use "The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States coins" Edited by Kenneth Bressett with narrative by Q. David Bowers. Good Book! But yes its in black and white. Edited by jokingjoker
10/26/2009 1:44 pm
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Valued Member
United States
193 Posts |
 I think "Coin Values Making the Grade" is a much better book in terms of quality. "The Official ANA Grading Standards" is OK in terms of textual description but the photos are black and white, small and look like the print quality hasn't been updated since the 50's.
The 'Coin Values' book has excellent photographs and I like the color representations of the focal points of the fields. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1944 Posts |
another vote for "making the grade". I purchased mine through littleton coin company - and probably overpaid for it, but it seems like a worthwhile book.
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Valued Member
 United States
171 Posts |
cownas22 & jewellge do you remember where you bought your copies of "Making the Grade" and how much you paid for them?
Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1055 Posts |
I bought mine last spring from Barnes & Noble for I believe $35. I looked around online and couldn't really find a better price than that, plus I didn't have to pay shipping.
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Valued Member
United States
193 Posts |
Barnes & Noble
An arm and leg ($39.99 + $2.40 Tax)
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1944 Posts |
littleton co. price started at about $12.00, but the time they added shipping and handeling - it came out about $30.00. maybe just a little bit less.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
I like Photoguide also .. but my copy is over 20 years old .. I will pick up a newer copy when I see one. More recently I have been using and reading PCGS's book "Official guide to coin grading and Counterfeit Detection" edited by Scott A. Travers. It is mostly black and white (has about 10 color pages). I think it has a lot of very good information, I like how it walks you thru the grading/slab process PCGS uses. It also goes into mint state grade, MS60 thru MS70, where my Photograde only has circulated grades. Maybe a newer copy has both I am not sure of that. Maybe I should read more coin books .. but this PCGS book is the first book I read that explained how the 1-70 grading scale came about ... I found that interesting. |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
Quote:
littleton co. price started at about $12.00, but the time they added shipping and handeling - it came out about $30.00. maybe just a little bit less.
Shipping and handling for 2 books is $6.95 at the checkout point with Littleton. I still am wondering if this is the same book cownas22 and jewellge found at Barnes & Noble? Thanks everyone for your input.  |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
If you ever get a chance to take the A.N.A grading seminar, it is well worth the time and money.
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Valued Member
United States
265 Posts |
Both Making the Grade and ANA grading standards are excellent references. ANA describes in text what separates the coins, which is especially valuable in the top tier grades. The photo grade book has better photos and shows where to look in terms of wear and where marks are the most damaging to the grades. Another reference is Coin World's Coin Value magazine. They run features on different series from month to month. I saved the issues for the series I collect. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
You guys are great .. after reading your responses I checked out the ANA grading book ... it is a very good book to have. I bought one today. makes me want to get some of my coins out and grade them. Thanks again .. you guys are great. |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 2,901 |
Posted 10/26/2009 12:14 pm
