How long does it take to become an "expert grader"?

Longacre

I noticed an ad in Numismatic News for a "second tier" grading service where each week they introduce and give a short bio on their graders. This ad highlighted that the grader has been grading for 6 years. I am curious as to how long it takes someone to really become good at grading. I assume if you've done it full time for 6 years, you can get pretty good at it. I was also wondering how long the graders at the other "first tier" firms have been grading. I assume it is probably hard to keep graders in those jobs for a long period of time, so a 6 year veteran is probably pretty good. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Prethen

ICG is not "second tier". I realize it's an uphill battle for "first tier" recognition, but they're one of the good guys (with the same exclusion of talk about high-grade moderns). I spoke with someone from the ICG front office about their modern high-grade fiasco and she implied that it has not helped their reputation and that they trying to improve moving forward. Although, I have to admit, it doesn't help when their Prez stands their on HSN hawing MS69/PF69 modern stuff all night long.

coinguy1

Longacre,

The length of time it takes is dependent upon a few (particular) very important factors:

1) being exposed to the right (mix of) coins in the right quantities - much easier said than done...

2) being around experts who have the ability AND the willingness to teach you - again much easier said than done, as many are capable but unwilling to spend the time to teach, while others are willing but not expert enough...

3) being able to learn - it seems that some people pick up on the intricacies of grading much more quickly and better than others - there are some "old-timers" who will never be good graders, but there are also "young pups" who are quite good at it.

mgoodm3

If you're selling on EBay, about 22 minutes.

BillJones

Becoming an expert grader has a great deal to do with looking at a large number of coins AND a certain amount of God given talent. Some people just can never develop the ability to see “the small stuff” when it coins to coins, and that is absolutely essential to becoming a great coin grader. You also need the esthetic eye to spot coins with great eye appeal and coins with so-so or ugly eye appeal. While it’s true that eye appeal is in the eyes of the beholder, there is a certain range where most collectors are in agreement. If you can’t learn to spot that range, or if you don’t come by it naturally, chances are you will never become a great coin grader.

Millertime

<< <i>If you're selling on EBay, about 22 minutes. >>



I think you're givin them too much credit. It only takes the time to post one auction.

kranky

I think Ken Bressett said all you need to learn to grade properly is a good light, a good glass, and a good 20 years of experience.

I think some people have an innate ability for learning to grade coins. Maybe it requires some amount of photographic memory, or being more right-brained, or something. I marveled at how, when I was taking the ANA grading classes, a grader would explain how he arrived at the grade. It was both analytical and "fuzzy logic" all at the same time. One of our instructors left a day early, so I probably could have learned a bit more. Maybe someday I'll tail him to a show and see if I can get my extra day of instruction.

Even though some people have more natural ability, I believe most serious collectors can learn to grade very well if they can address the three points coinguy1 mentioned - seeing lots and lots of coins, having the ability to learn, and having someone help them learn. And just about anyone can learn to grade one particular series if they work at it.

Longacre

I see that a lot of the responses are consistent-- seeing lots and lots of coins and having someone assist or otherwise teach you.

Do how does an average joe collector ever get good at grading? I was at the NY Invitational Coin show last year, and I looked at tons of the Richmond gold collection. At the end of the time I spent viewing the coins, all I was able to say to myself was "those coins were nice, but I still can't really differentiate the grades (to a certain extent) if someone covered the "grade" on the slab." I doubt that anyone would ever want to spend time with me going over auction lots. Do what do you suggest?

coinguy1

<< <i> I doubt that anyone would ever want to spend time with me going over auction lots. ......what do you suggest >>

I think the best way to get a great start on learning is to take one of the ANA grading classes. They are highly enjoyable and informative and you would be amazed at what you might learn in a short time.

Now, if you can make sure you're not in a class where one of the instructors (who will go nameless here) cuts out a day early like Kranky experienced.

Another option would be to find an expert dealer or non-dealer who would be willing to look through and provide feedback on a very large group of the right coins (perhaps at a quiet auction viewing or with a buddy's inventory at a show).

AgMe

<< <i>If you're selling on EBay, about 22 minutes. >>





-g

SethChandler

A large hard drive...memory, that's half of it.

ER

My entire life, and that's not half enough.

kranky

By all means, attend a grading class at the ANA Summer Seminar. On a 1-to-10 scale of grading ability, I would have rated myself a 1.5 when I got there, and a 7 when I was done. That's in one week! The instructors are not only experienced, but they know how to teach and are willing to teach. There is no other way to get an experience like that.

Yes, you'll still have to hone your skills by looking at lots of coins, but that one week will teach you HOW to look at them and WHAT to look for. I went there with very high expectations, and they were actually exceeded.

There was one student in my class who covered the cost of his entire trip (tuition and expenses) by going to the Colorado Springs coin show that weekend and buying raw coins, then slabbing and selling them at a profit. Pretty good endorsement right there.

I only wish I could go every year. It's just a very, very enjoyable experience being immersed in coins 24/7 for a week with true experts who are glad to share their knowledge. Do you think I'll ever have the chance to have dinner with Rick Snow, breakfast with James Wiles, or lunch with Doug Winter, etc., any other time? Not bloody likely.