Coin Collecting

How To Grade Your Coins


Keeping and raising Chickens and Poultry. Growing your own fruit and vegetables. Beekeeping (Honey bees). Herbal Remedies, Herbs, Remedy. Hydroponic Gardening, Hydroponics Garden.
Do U skaDoogle?
A "grade" is described as a shorthand designed by coin experts (numismatists) to reveal a coin’s appearance. Simply put, if a certain coin collector tells another collector that he owns an uncirculated Charlotte 50 half eagle, both should already have a concept of the coins appearance without even seeing it, because of the claim of its grade.

Some disclose that designating a grade to rank or categorize a coin is more of an art rather than science, since often it is extremely subjective or biased; this applies particularly when working on “Mint State” coins where little differences, in terms of grade, make so much difference in the price.

Grading can be learned, studied and applied with a predictable and known outcome that eventually depends on judgment, not feelings.

Like any language, science, sport, or research, it is best to learn and understand coin grading one component at a time, through serious study and experience.

Today, most numismatists use the “Sheldon grading scale”. While there are those that complain of "too many grades", most experienced coin graders recognize and appreciate the fact that there is a wide range in features between ranges.

Strike

This is the method of stamping or imprinting a drawing or a symbol onto a blank. Depending on the coin’s design, it can either have weak or strong strike. An example of this would be the “Type II gold dollar” on which both sides (front and back) have the highest strike that is perfectly aligned, meaning, these designs require weak strikes.

Generally the strike is not a key factor in establishing the coin’s grade except when it is included in a series where the value is connected to strike.

Preservation of the coin’s surface

The number of coin marks as well as where they are placed is a significant element in establishing the grade. While there is no fixed formula on the number of coin marks that sets its grade, there are several regulated standards regarding the significance of the location or positioning of a scratch.

For instance, a coin having a deep scratch that it is not easily visible on its reverse (back) side will not be strictly penalized. However, if the same scratch was positioned on a noticeable or obvious central point on the front, such as the cheek on the Statue of Liberty, it would be penalized much more.

Patina or luster

A coin can have a variation of textures on the surface, influenced by design, the metal that was used and the “mint of origin”. Textures can include frosty, satiny, proof-like and semi-proof-like.

When examining the coin’s surface in terms of grade, two things should be looked at; the quantity, or what is left of the original skin (has to be intact), and the location and amount of marks.

Luster is important especially when determining whether a coin is either circulated or uncirculated. A coin in Mint State technically; is free of abrasion and wear and must not have significant breaks in its luster.

Color

This is a very subjective element in determining coin grade. For instance, a “gold coin” showing dark green-gold pigmentation may be unattractive to one collector and attractive to another.

As gold is moderately an inert metal, it is not prone to much color variance as copper or silver. Although wide ranging colors may exist in gold coins.

Almost all of US gold coins had been dipped or cleaned, therefore not anymore displaying their original color. As coin collectors become knowledgeable, most of them are attracted and fascinated to coins having their natural color. In most coin series, it is nearly impossible to discover original coin pieces.

Eye attraction or appeal

Color, luster, strike and surface marks come together, comprises “eye appeal”. Note that a coin having superior “eye appeal” can be strong in one aspect, such as possessing exceptional luster but not quite as strong in another aspect, such as not so good color.

A coin that is undesirable in one aspect yet good enough in all the other aspects can still be distinguished as “below average” in “eye appeal”.

Knowing how to grade a coin is very important so that one can have an idea of the value or price of the coin that he is buying or selling. When new to coin collecting, be sure to ask the help of an experienced collector or dealer when buying or exchanging your coins.


Browse Our Information Mall
Business / Investing
Careers, Industries & Professions
Debt
Derivatives
Economics
Equities
Foreign Exchange
General
International Business
Management & Leadership
Marketing & Sales
Outsourcing
Personal Finance
Real Estate
Small Biz / Entrepreneurship
Equities & Stocks
Commodities
Do U skaDoogle?!

Coin Collecting


Other Interesting Articles

The Exceptional Truth Behind Rare Coin Collecting

Are you interested in coin collecting? Have you ever tried collecting rare c... [Read more]

Coin Collections For All Ages

People of all ages are getting hooked with their coin collections. As a matter of fact, even the children are participating actively in colleting every dime and nickel they can get their hands on. There are a lot of reasons why people collect coins. Among the many reasons... [Read more]

Coin Collection Tips: Finding A Coin Dealer

Coin dealers can be considered as best friends of coin collectors. It is quite easy to find one. Although, with qualities like being ethical and honest playing an important role, it may take you quite some time to search for one. As a coin dealer, you would want to negotiate or entrust your coin collections to someone who is qualified to play the part. What are the characteristics that you would like your coin dealer to have? He shoul... [Read more]

What Type Of Collection To Start?

Many collectors have a particular theme for their collection. The very real possibility of completing the collection makes collecting exciting for many collec... [Read more]

Free Coin Collecting Software

Coin collecting is one hobby that has been going on for ages. Some of the most popular collectors in the world were Louis XIV and the Sun King. To keep track of the coins in the collection or to monitor the value of rare coins in the market, it pays to have coin collecting soft... [Read more]


 Watch Videos on "Gold"

Coin Collecting