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The Tools of a Professional Coin Grader

PCGS_SocialMediaPCGS_SocialMedia Posts: 327 mod
edited July 15, 2020 12:14PM in U.S. Coin Forum

While obviously not limited to U.S. coins, this recent article gives a look into the tools that professional graders, and in this specific case, our Director of Numismatic Education and Outreach, use to their advantage when determining the condition of your coins. Whether you’re a novice grader or more experienced, these tips can be beneficial in improving your accuracy.

https://www.pcgs.com/news/tools-of-a-professional-coin-grader

Comments

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Excellent! :)

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,429 ✭✭✭✭✭

    thias is a good post

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,231 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Cool article and I love those gold examples!

  • edwardjulioedwardjulio Posts: 1,103 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 30, 2021 12:14PM

    .

    End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,543 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good post. Especially the part about knowing the condition of the coin when it left the mint.

  • LongarmLongarm Posts: 89 ✭✭

    Good article, thanks.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,607 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It’s an interesting article with nice points. I also noticed that the environment for accurately grading is the opposite of what you find at coin shows. So how would one go about properly grading a coin at a show?

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Excellent article(s) and I would recommend adding it to the permanent post list at the top of the page. Hopefully that way, new members will see it and it won't disappear as posts accumulate. Good, basic, fundamental points. Cheers, RickO

  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 9,015 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Now how to get newbies to read it. Great info for sure. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,631 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 10, 2020 7:41AM

    @TurtleCat said:
    It’s an interesting article with nice points. I also noticed that the environment for accurately grading is the opposite of what you find at coin shows. So how would one go about properly grading a coin at a show?

    A very small number of dealers make little do-it-yourself covers/tents, in order to view coins in a darker environment. A few others occasionally crouch down and look under the table and/or the table covering.

    Even without the above, however, it’s desirable to have as much consistency in light sources and lighting conditions, as possible.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,607 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @TurtleCat said:
    It’s an interesting article with nice points. I also noticed that the environment for accurately grading is the opposite of what you find at coin shows. So how would one go about properly grading a coin at a show?

    A very small number of dealers make little do-it-yourself covers/tents, in order to view coins in a darker environment. A few others occasionally crouch down and look under the table and/or the table covering.

    Even without the above, however, it’s desirable to have as much consistency in light sources and lighting conditions, as possible.

    Interesting. I haven’t been to many very large shows so I haven’t seen people do that. I agree on the consistent lighting, though. I’ll have to think about how I can apply it to my circumstances.

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