How long does it take you to grade a coin?

GoldCoinLover

..How long does it take? I mean, to grade a coin well, so it would get the same grade (or about the same grade) when graded by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS.

I use my PCGS grading book when I can to double check the grade, but it usually takes me 5 minutes.

dthigpen

30-45 seconds. However, in my experience, regardless of what I think the grade will be, there will be a 15-20% chance that the powers to be will disagree by a margin of more than a point.

kieferscoins

10-15 seconds.

Cameron Kiefer

dthigpen

<< <i>10-15 seconds.

Cameron Kiefer >>



Darn Wippersnapper.

poorguy

10-15 seconds.

Usually the first impression has a huge impact on the grade of the coin. Eye appeal for me is usually determined in the first 2 or 3 seconds. The luster ought to pop-right out at you in the first 5-10 seconds also. Distracting marks, striking quality and overall grade shouldn't take much more time after that. I find that it takes just a tad-bit longer to grade F-XF coins than it does MS60+ coins. Then again, you should have experience in knowing what areas of the coin to look at to determine rub, striking quality, ect. Experience is very important.

Overall, I would say it takes me usually about 15 seconds to grade a coin if I already know the series pretty well, 20-30 seconds if I have to compare it or if it's borderline AU/MS, and anywhere from 15-35 seconds to grade F-XF coins properly because I have to pull out my loupe and look for certain characteristics.

Russ

It really depends on the coin. Anywhere from a few seconds for coins I know well, to several minutes for coins I'm studying and trying to learn.

Russ, NCNE

BillJones

Yea, it really depends upon the coin. If it's a no problem piece that falls into the circulated grades or the Mint State grades through MS-64, I say less than a minute. If it is extremely high grade, more subtle judgements are necessary, and it could take a couple of minutes. With a damaged coin, net grading comes into play, and that can get more open ended.

mgoodm3

enough time to read the label on the slab.

ms70

What Russ said. But I seem to grade the photos in the "Guess The Grade" threads much more accurately than a coin that's actually
in front of me.

BigGreek

<< <i>..How long does it take? I mean, to grade a coin well, so it would get the same grade (or about the same grade) when graded by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS.

<< <i>

About 65 days for economy

But, seriously, there are so many variables involved it is impossible
to grade so you "would get the same grade" by PCGS. I think I can
get within a point in about 60 seconds with a loup, though.

LucyBop

if I am wondering the boarse floor at a coin show.....

I can sniff a GEM FRANKIE OUT FROM SEVERAL AISLES AWAY!

Steve27

It depends on how long it takes me to get the darts out.

RYK

Frankly, I have never thought about how long it takes. I do not look at large volumes of coins, so to me it is not an issue. I would guess that some among us look at a coin and immediately a number pops up ("58", "64", "67CAM", etc.).

When I look at a coin, my first inclination is to answer, "Do I like it or not?" If no, I put it down, whether it is MS-68 or VG-8. If I like it, I try to look for hidden marks, signs of cleaning, damage, or doctoring, signs of wear, the strike, luster, etc. I take my time and try to enjoy the process and learn from it.

I guess it makes a difference what coins you are searching. If you have rolls and rolls of unsearched BU Jeffersons, time is probably of the essence. Fortunately, $3's, Dahlonega $5's, etc. do not come in rolls, and I never feel pressured to make a quick decision about a coin.

When I am considering a coin for purchase, I ask myself these questions:
1. Do I like it?
2. Is it original? (answer need not be yes, but still an important question)
3. Is it priced reasonably for the grade?

Russ

<< <i>When I am considering a coin for purchase, I ask myself these questions:
1. Do I like it?
2. Is it original? (answer need not be yes, but still an important question)
3. Is it priced reasonably for the grade? >>



When I'm considering a coin for purchase, I ask myself this question:

1. Can I flip it for a profit?



Russ, NCNE

RYK

1. Can I flip it for a profit?
2. Can I flip it for a profit?
3. Can I flip it for a profit?
....


Yes, Russ, I realize that.

Shamika

Buffalo nickels and Lincoln cents less than 10 seconds. Any other series takes me about 15 seconds.

ziggy29

If I'm very proficient in the grading the series, probably not much more than 10 seconds. Otherwise, usually about 30.

Some coins are always hard for me to grade. I have a devil of a time differentiating between F/VF and VF/XF on some seated coins, for example.

BAJJERFAN

Why does it matter unless yer bein paid piece rate?

dorkkarl

3 seconds most of the time, to maybe a minute on really tough coins, like early copper or busties.

K S

rainbowroosie

MS66 and above about 30 seconds, less for lesser coins.

Hedger

This is what I do: Look at the coin as anyone would under magnification one side at a time. I put the coin down and come back to it an hour later and compare my first grade w/ my second grade. If the grades come to the same conclusion I know I did well. On tougher key dates it could take me about three days to a week. I think PCGS will hire me now.

Neptune

You guys are good. It takes me that long to find my grading book.
I recently attempted to grade about 25 Morgans. I found that I had the roughest time with whether a coin was VF or EF -and if it was AU or MS - and if it was MS - then I really get lost. Anyone want to help?

RGL

Hand me a Jeff proof or an SMS and I can give you an answer within 15 seconds ... others take longer. Get out an hour glass if you want me to give you an opinion on slider/MS gold or brown MS copper.

Fairlaneman

For Merc Dimes. If the coin has slide marks or dull luster about 5 seconds. Clean booming luster coins, much. much, much longer. Being from the old school hardly anything gets over a 65 grade from me.

Other series. Grade means nothing. Its the look and price that counts.

Ken

clackamas

Took me a year to get Lincolns down. jeffs were easier. I can grade a coin now in about 3 seconds on average.

ldhair

A few seconds, unless I disagree with myself

magikbilly

With 10c as soon as I can see both times I know - just a few seconds - the rest of the time is spent trying to convince myself it either is or isn't something else

Billy