where can I compare photo's of grades of coin?

Stacey

I have very much enjoyed getting into this hobby of collecting coins. Only by chance to have been given a large lot of assorted coins got me interested. I have already paid the $100 fee to join pcgs but am hesitant about what to use my four free grades on. Is there a place with photos of grades of us coins to give me something to go by? Going by the book ( I've bought the red, blue, error, and several others lately) this coin could be graded ms65. Come on experts help me out is that about right? higher or lower? Thanks...................Draggonflydreams-Stacey

ps-Is this considered a red or brown? (May seem stupid but I'd rather ask and know than wonder)penny

goose3

If you are looking for a good book for comparing circulated coins to pictures of coins in a book with grades........PHOTOGRADE is a good book.

the "PCGS Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection" is a good book for Mint State. I can't remember what series are in there offhand.

That cent is Red. Is that a Small date???

Placid

www.heritagecoin.com has alot of good pictures of pcgs coins. If you can't find what you want in their inventory look in the auction archives.

Stacey

not sur about sm date but compared to some other 70's it seems small??????

goose3

If you have the "REDBOOK" go to the lincoln cent section. There is a pic of the large/small date 1970s cent! As you will see there is quite a price difference if you have the small date.

DaveG

The standard grading guides for circulated US coins are "Photograde" by James Ruddy and the "ANA Grading Guide". I believe both should be available from Brooklyn Gallery (www.brooklyngallery.com), my favorite discount hobby book and supply seller.

Unfortunately, the pictures in these books are too small and, frequently, black and white, to use to grade uncirculated coins.

The PCGS Grading Guide ("Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection") is great, because it's 8 1/2" x 11", on glossy paper, with big, high quality pictures. Unfortunately, it's not as comprehensive as the first two. This book may be hard to locate.

Jim Halpern published a guide to grading uncirculated coins, but I haven't ever looked at it. I think someone here may have a link to it on the web.

Also, there's a video on grading uncirculated coins. Brooklyn Gallery has (or had) it as well.

GDJMSP

There are some web sites you can use too if you do not have access to the books. These sites are not the definitive answer - but they will at least give you some idea.

Coin Grading Pages

Grading Mercury Dimes

Copper Gradin Guide

Morgan Grading Examples

Coin Grading Test

Side by Side Grading for Morgans & Buffalos

Indian Head Cent Grading

Grading Buffalo Nickels

Grading Liberty Nickels

Grading Indian Head Cents

shylock

I think this is the site DaveG mentioned.