The PCGS grading Book

LAWMAN

Does anybody out there know why the PCGS grading book is no longer in print? I have seen it advertised on various web sites, but I am curious about this. Is PCGS saying that they disavow the grading standards set forth in the book (I haven't read the book yet)? Somebody please enlighten me on this.

kieferscoins

Sounds like they are working on another edition

"Probably" offer it? Wouldn't PCGS definately offer it if they are working on a new edition?

Cameron Kiefer

MrEureka

Is PCGS saying that they disavow the grading standards set forth in the book?

Because the book is out of print?

SMS

History has always shown that you can control the masses by fear and ignorance. Keep the numismatic masses in ignorance of grading standardws and create fear, uncertainty, and doubt as to the validity and accuracy of others' gradings (even your own, which is the ONLY grading standard that matters!), then you have yourself a perpetual, unhindered money machine. I do not submit to so called "professional" services, and more often than not, find their gradings to be substandard (yes, even PCGS...IMHO even some of theirs are overgraded, though they are one of the most accurate.)

If you become a bird watcher, you learn all you can about the various species in your area (and even some in remoter places)
If you become a PS2 addict, you buy the third party manuals and guides to "beat the game".
If you collect cars, you learn all you can about the shape of the body, what kind of parts go into it, how to fix it, etc.
If you collect coins....uh...duh..."send it in to be graded????" Such idiocy.

EVERY coin collector needs to know how to grade the coins they wish to collect. If you want the coin to be conserved, slabs are probably the best bet. But to rely upon a grading company alone is ludicrous. And if that grading service does not publicly publish its standards or removes from the public forum their standards of grading, you would have to ask questions. Most grading companies state that they follow A.N.A. standards. If that's true, then the best thing to do is grab yourself a copy of the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards of U.S. Coins. But if that is also true, then when you pick up a slab, then using the published standard should result in like grading.

As we all know, this is not always the case. So is it the grading company or the grader? Obviously it's the grader! Even if the company has set guidelines and a published standard, the grader (or panel of graders in some cases) is the "ultimate authority". However, *YOU* should be the ultimate authority. So when the company no longer publishes their standard, what do you do? Do you have your own set of standards for your coins? Are there certain expectations you have for certain grades? The onlu fallback you have is to go to the gading source that the company claims to use (which is almost always the A.N.A. standards). If you like PCGS grading so much, buy a bunch of coins denominations in various mint state grades and compare!

kranky

You made some good points, SMS, but a couple of things come to mind. First, some people want to collect coins now, not in a few years when they can learn enough to be a good grader. Second, the premiums for a single point on an MS coin are often large enough so that a one-point mistake can mean taking a serious hit.

For someone who doesn't have the background, the time to learn the black art of grading MS coins, or the means to attend an ANA grading class, a slabbed coin can be the difference between enjoying the hobby or taking a financial bath.

Of course you are right that people should learn to grade regardless. It's important if you are spending money on coins. But for some people a slabbed coin is right.

(Plus, everyone knows you can't learn to grade MS coins out of a book, no matter what! )

LAWMAN

What does everybody think about this thread now that the new Grading Book is out. I got it the other day and hope to finish reading it over the weekend.

Will it reveal all the secrets?

Will I be able to give up the day job and get a job as a PCGS grader after reading the book?

Will I win the World Series of Grading? Will I enter?

Only the Shadow knows . . . . .

RiffRaff1967

someone didn't think it was so great..... link

RiffRaff1967

Actually, I'm waiting to see everyone's opinion - hopefully more people that got the book will post!

WaterSport

I think it lacks a lot. It needs updating. Not in text, but in photography. Like the folks before me said, when in doubt, drag out Photograde or ANA or some other visual. I still like the good old days when I started collecting. I knew that a bright and shiny, untouched, brillant coin was just that, Brilliantly Uncirculated...everything else was not.

poptopsRus

It looks like she's smaller this time with less pictures. We do have them in stock if anybody needs them.

Link to PCGS grading guide on BST board