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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,584 |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
I have been collecting many years and use photo-grade to try to grade my coins. I recently started collecting commem and have nothing to compare them to. With 70 being perfect what are the deducts for scratches or bag rub on the coin that you are trying to grade? IS there a book that could be a help. All help appreciated, thanks.
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
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Valued Member
 United States
307 Posts |
Thanks Jbuck. I saw that post infact I listed the Photograde I use. I was hoping that there was something for commemoratives.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
565 Posts |
I picked up A guide book of United states commemorative coins. It is a Whitman book. Picked it up at the book store for 19.95. It is written by Q.David Bowers. It has great detail on all the commemorative coins. It also had price guides in as a reference. It also covers strike characteristics of each coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Try the Whitman web site. They have a multitude of all kind of books on coins. I consider myself a lousy coin grader so I really just don't try.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
Thanks Jbuck. I saw that post infact I listed the Photograde I use. D'oh! I did not even notice that you had posted!  |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
I am also a poor grader since I think all my coins are 70's. Reality set in when friend or two tells me it might grade 64 or maybe 65. He points out a rub mark and said this in its self would put at a 64. I am not doubting that the coin is not a 70 but why not a 69 or 68. What determines the drop from 70 and how far the drop. I wanted a quick easy answer and was given one by a person from PCGS. The same standards used to grade other coins are used to grade commemoratives. These are found in the ANA grading standards. All coins are graded to this standard. The major difference is comems usually are Proof and Unc. and due to their nature usually more care in the finished product. The newer comems usually come from the mint a 65 or above. This is all new to me but sounds reasonable. LOL |
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
I have never considered myself a grader because my (very subjective) eye appeal is most important to me. When buying a coin I can get a idea of what I think the grade is based on how it looks; sometimes I will also apply the (what is very minimal) grading information from in the Red Book. Keep in mind I am buying these coins for myself. Not for an investment or to make my heirs rich. If I am happy with the coin and I am happy with the price, then I am just a happy guy!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Keep in mind I am buying these coins for myself. Not for an investment or to make my heirs rich. If I am happy with the coin and I am happy with the price, then I am just a happy guy!
Exactly the way I feel and that is why I don't even attempt to learn how to grade coins. They are just my coins so I really don't care what grade they are. |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
Well said jbuck. I too buy only what I like. What brought up this topic was conversation among my collector friends. However I now have a new sense to use when I buy what I want. The more informed we are the better decisions we will make.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
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The more informed we are the better decisions we will make. Well said! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4416 Posts |
This longtime collector would humbly offer a few suggestions that will help others hone their grading skills.
1) Starting with one series, say Lincolns, try assembling your own grading set: AG, G, VG, F, VF, etc. You can progress to numeric grades as consistency and confidence grows.
2) Ask if there are collectors among a nearby coin club who would like to meet and discuss coin grading. I used to attend a coin club that had a grading committee. We'd meet, weeks prior to te next club meeting, and consensus grade all items in the forthcoming club auction. Some of us even enjoyed that "splinter" meeting more than the regular assembly.
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
Thanks too for the information, interesting
I have never tried grading proofs and commemoratives at 70, that's a diferent high level of grading which possibly would require a microscope and some high magnifying glass available at hand.
and those equipment are not usually at hand
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Valued Member
United States
186 Posts |
Over the years, it gets better. My advice...books are good info (but like brain surgery) hands-on experience trumps book knowledge. Teachers are good... but remember (those that can't do..teach).
Knowledge is King in this hobby, and besides the books, pictures and teachers.... the number one is looking at a ZILLION coins, look at coins graded by the Big3 (PCGS, NGC, ANACS) and look at LOTS of them. A major coin show is a great place.. also coin shops that have graded coins. Please stay away from ALL the other grading services, I have found that for every one of those coins I looked at for education, I had to look at 50 of the "properly" graded coins to, undo, what I learned.
Hope this helps, Have Fun.
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
The grade of 70 is very intriguing. When looking at a coin now I find myself looking for a fault instead of looking at the beauty that first attracted me. I agree that the more coins you look at and compare you might become a better grader. I look and evaluate and make a decision on each coin trying to upgrade my collection. Thanks for your help.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,584 |
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Posted 02/14/2011 6:22 pm
