If your ability to grade coins needs a little boost

Broadstruck · October 13, 2017 4:50PM

Before Slabs back in Raw days when dinosaurs still roamed the earth buying coins was tricky. The issue wasn't so much lower circulated collector grades, yet the bridge between Choice AU and Unc. It wasn't just an issue for collectors, but dealers alike. I remember sitting at my desk at work and our receptionist would walk over my newest Coin World purchase which the mail man just delivered. Then when the office emptied at lunchtime I tear into the parcel which held my new purchase. You had to weigh the odds a bit more back then as you only bought based on verbal or printed description. So there was always a far greater then 50% chance of being disappointed. Many times the lustrous CH to GEM BU you anticipated was nothing more then a slider drastically whizzed to hide the wear on the high points. Needless to say my return rate back then was about 2/3 which didn't make a lot of dealers all that happy. The book that helped me the most along with having a good mentor was written by Jim Halperin in the mid 1980's titled "How to Grade U.S. Coins". This book saved me from getting burned like no other grading guide. It showed the highest wear points of ever single series along with all 50 commemorative types. This just covered mint state and proof coin as to grading. Being paperback I read my first copy to the point that it got dog eared and the spine gave out. Needless to say if you need a little boost on your grading skills or someone who states I can really grade one series well, but admit you can't another this book is well worth every single penny based on the knowledge you'll gain.

WinLoseWin · October 13, 2017 5:43PM

The author has had it up for free online for a few years now.

coingrading.com/

TomB · October 13, 2017 5:51PM

Terrific post and yes, I remember those days well. In fact, if I recall correctly, there were folks who thought that new invention we called "dirt" would never catch on. Yes, those were the days.... Ouch! My dang sacroiliac went again!

Broadstruck · October 13, 2017 5:55PM

@WinLoseWin said:
The author has had it up for free online for a few years now.

coingrading.com/

Awesome thanks for posting... Nothing like a free grading tune-up!

BuffaloIronTail · October 13, 2017 5:59PM

Things really haven't got better since the old days. More coins to see..........more risk. Be careful and study everyone.

Pete

Broadstruck · October 13, 2017 6:07PM

@TomB said:
Terrific post and yes, I remember those days well. In fact, if I recall correctly, there were folks who thought that new invention we called "dirt" would never catch on. Yes, those were the days.... Ouch! My dang sacroiliac went again!

Thanks!

That was the if it's not bright it's not right era

Broadstruck · October 13, 2017 6:09PM

@BuffaloIronTail said:
Things really haven't got better since the old days. More coins to see..........more risk. Be careful and study everyone.

Pete

Knowledge has always been power in this hobby... Not a thick wallet.

Wealthier folks without just end up making costlier mistakes.

WinLoseWin · October 13, 2017 6:13PM

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Here is a really interesting chapter:

Computer Grading

coingrading.com/compgrade1.html

It mentions that "On May 16,1990 PCGS announced a major breakthrough in a computerized system that grades coins. The system, PCGS Expert, utilizes robotics, image enhancement, image processing and an online image database for its integrated computer system."

I vaguely recall this but it seemed to quickly fade away. There are not images for each coin even now, as had been envisioned at that time.

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