Please recommend a modern comprehensive book on Photo Grading
isaiah58
Posts: 385 ✭✭✭
Edited: I downloaded the PCGS Coin Facts app and found what I need. The Photograde section is very fluid and simple to use.
I have been reading reviews and am not sure if purchasing a physical book on Photo Grading is going to be beneficial.
I want something I can use in person to make the best informed decisions.
I find the coinstudy and coinauctionshelp websites provide good images, cover uncirulated through proof, and excellent supporting narratives. I am hoping to identify a physical book that has as much information. I think that this would be easier for me to use than scrolling up and back on my phone. It seems that the various popular books lack the level of details I am looking for.
0
Comments
Search Photo Grading, I did;
https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/
https://www.amazon.com/Photograde-Official-Photographic-Grading-United/dp/0974237159
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
what do you mean 'in person'? are there any series or grade ranges you are focused on?
I did search, now asking for personal references and opinions.
The PCGs site is not as good as the others I mentioned. You can't zoom in or out, very awkward interface on my cell phone.
That book has a number of negative remarks related to images.
Do you use this book?
If looking at a personal collection, garage sale, coin show, coin dealer. It's awkward using a cell phone to narrow down a grade.
Primarily focusing on Franklin Halves for now. The Whitman Official Red Book Guide by Tomaska lacks a chapter on grading.
Personally, I would go to a few shows and find some dealers knowledgeable with this series and have a conversation with them about grading and how to spot problem coins. Explain your collecting focus and what you are trying to accomplish and a good dealer will give you tons of great advice on grading and a lot of other common pitfalls. I think this is worth more than most grading books in my opinion.
When I first started collecting bust coins, I sat and talked with basically all the big time bust coin dealers just picking their brain. They were super helpful and very nice and I learned more talking with them than any book. I also tried to buy a few coins from them so I wasn't wasting their time.
PCGS is as good as it gets. Explore their website.
Thanks
I downloaded the PCGS Coin Facts App, the Photograde section is 100% more fluid than the website.
@hchcoin I will sit down with my LCS, if they have time, this week.
I asked a similar question a year ago and responses let me to "Grading Coins by Photographs" but Bowers. The first few chapters cover grading history, grading techniques, coin surfaces, etc - and these are very informative. The bulk of the content explains criteria for the various grades of every US coin type, with photos. These are good, but I did find some photos confusing and not as definitive as I wanted.
Then I was given a copy of the ANA's "Grading Standards for United State Coins." I found the descriptions and photos being much better at showing me what to look for at each grade for any coin type. The descriptions distinguish at many numerical grades (e.g., five levels of MS, three levels of AU, two levels of EF, etc.). For me, this is the book I reference and learn from. It is small enough to travel with one to a coin show.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
This has served me well
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
One times I like to flip pages and also use the app but the book above gives great info and was acquired by @Insider2 at one of his classes.
Kathy
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member