New Find

[coppercoins]

This in mind, what would be "the book" to get in you guys' opinion? I've purchased the CPG, the Red Book, and Ken Potter's, "Strike it Rich...". None of which really go in depth on the critical subject of grading.

Honestly I haven't been in the market for a grading guide in so long I don't know which ones are the better ones. Some people swear by Photograde, and I even think Coin World came out with a new version of that with much nicer images.

I do know that they old ANA Grading Guides were pretty good for circulated coins, but nothing in print - NOTHING - will do much for grading high end mint state coins nearly as well as having the opportunity to view them in person and get a 'feel' for what grades are assigned to various quality coins.

To my knowledge - no book has been published that answers the question visually, "What does an MS66 look like, and what differs between that and a MS67?" better than the PCGS Grading Guide, which has now been out of print for years.

No book that centers attention on varieties is going to go into depth in grading. They are inherently different subjects.

[simonm]

This in mind, what would be "the book" to get in you guys' opinion? I've purchased the CPG, the Red Book, and Ken Potter's, "Strike it Rich...". None of which really go in depth on the critical subject of grading.

I'm not sure of a book, but I keep the free "PCGS Photograde" site bookmarked and study the differences in grades for all the denominations from time to time.

[kloccwork419]

That is a good bookmark to add Simon. The only thing I don't like is there isn't any memorials. They should update it with some zinc memorials. It says 1909- date and stops at 1940..lol

[BadThad]

WOW! Congrats!

Personally, I'd sell that coin ASAP and rake in some green.

[BadThad]

I'm not sure of a book, but I keep the free "PCGS Photograde" site bookmarked and study the differences in grades for all the denominations from time to time.

The problem with "photograding" is you cannot see the luster. It's like a price guide, a ballpark estimate. PCGS and NCG weigh luster VERY heavily. Contact marks are often forgiven in favor of luster and eye appeal. Those are two things you cannot get out of a photo no matter the resolution.

[josht]

.

No book that centers attention on varieties is going to go into depth in grading. They are inherently different subjects.

Thanks for the info. Potter does lightly broach the subject in his book where he showcases a 2003P that sold for $13,500 in MS70.
Basically stating that, however unlikely, it is possible that such a coin could end up in circulation. It seems, as witnessed in some responses of this post, that many people new to the hobby, myself included, rarely even consider what could be regarded as the most essential thing when evaluating a coin's numismatic value. It seems unfathomable that a Lincoln cent that isn't a doubled die or other fantastic anomaly could demand such a price as some just plain "nicely struck" coins. Something to consider, I guess, when searching Lincolns.

[kloccwork419]

Wow. 6 pages of comments. Who would of thunk it....lol..thunk.. I feel a little more dumb every time I hear that word..lolol

[willbrooks]

Who would of thunk it....lol..thunk.. I feel a little more dumb every time I hear that word..lolol

would of= would've
lolol=???????

I feel dumb too.

[kloccwork419]

would of= would've
lolol=???????

I feel dumb too.

lol..yea..thanks. another notch off my scale..lol. its would have but would of is the same thing...lol..were gonna get deleted

[simonm]

That is a good bookmark to add Simon. The only thing I don't like is there isn't any memorials. They should update it with some zinc memorials. It says 1909- date and stops at 1940..lol

I agree, although there aren't really any key date memorials, and half the memorials you find will most likely already be in XF or better.

[kloccwork419]

True. I do tend to find some very nice 2006 and 2004 when Im searching. Its just odd how its to date but cuts off at 1940. Still a good site for getting used to the grading and making an estimate

[coppy]

I must say, this is a very informative thread on the coin-grading industry... for me anyway.
I've learned more about this part of the hobby from the postings here than I did the past 10 months since starting (mostly on the error/variety side of it).

Kudos to everyone involved in the thread!