ANA Grading Courses

earlyAurum · March 8, 2010 4:15AM

I am a newbie. I am considering taking the beginner course. It's a 5 day course which is a significant time commitment for someone with a day job and family. My questions are:

Is it worthwhile for a collector?
Will I obtain a better appreciation for collecting?
If I do the beginner course, the next logical step is the intermediate and then advanced courses. Where does this lead to and are they worth it too?

I ask these question because of the time investment more than anything.

Thanks for replying
earlyAurum

kranky · March 8, 2010 6:35AM

I have taken both the beginning and advanced courses (the intermediate course is new). I found them to be very, very valuable. Learning HOW to look at a coin the way the professional graders do was a big plus - I tended to over-emphasize surface marks. I learned what my weak areas are. The courses can't make you a top grader in a week but as far as being worth the time, I think it depends on what your collecting goals are.

Why should you NOT go through the classes?
- If you intend to go through hundreds of modern commems and want to know how to find the coins that will slab MS70
- If you never buy coins that might have been played with
- If you are only interested in varieties
- If you just aren't that interested in learning how to grade

But if you are interested in learning how to grade like the pros do, detecting an AU from an MS coin, understanding why coins can grade differently on multiple submissions, having a pro grader tell you why your coin grades what it does when you don't agree with the slabbed grade, meeting other collectors, being taught by enthusiastic pros who really want you to learn, having the opportunity to chat with experts during meals and breaks, and spending 5 days immersed in coins, then I heartily recommend it. I had very high expectations and my experience actually exceeded them.

Looks to me from reading the course descriptions that the intermediate class covers part of what was in the advanced class and the advanced class now has more time devoted to learning to identify original vs. played with coins.

PTVETTER · March 8, 2010 7:13AM

Kranky is the Man!
When are you going to choose your title?

All must remember that grading is very subjective in some areas and other areas facts are facts. Like rub is still rub....

earlyAurum · March 8, 2010 9:25AM

Kranky,

Thanks for the detailed reply! I just might sign up now.

early

chucknra · March 9, 2010 1:42AM

Let us know if you do sign up and give us a blow-by-blow on each day!

crazyhounddog · March 9, 2010 1:57AM

Where may I ask are these classes?

kieferscoins · March 9, 2010 2:28AM

Link for info on the ANA classes:

ANA Summer Seminar Info

Cameron Kiefer

RWB · March 9, 2010 2:57AM

If you prefer not to be chained by the family jewels to some "grading service" and astronomical fees, take the ANA course and learn from it. Ignorance can be very expensive.

ricko · March 9, 2010 4:48AM

"If you prefer not to be chained by the family jewels to some "grading service" and astronomical fees, take the ANA course and learn from it. Ignorance can be very expensive."
Words of wisdom.... I wish more would pay heed. Cheers, RickO

ANA Grading Courses

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