Coin Grading - How to Grade Coins & What the Coin Grades Mean
Grading coins is a skill that every collector needs to have. Whether you want to appraise your own U.S. coins, buy ancient coins from a dealer, understanding coin grades is essential. The condition of the coin is what determines its value, more than any other factor. Since coin values are based primarily on grades, when you consider buying a coin you should be able to accurately grade it, to ensure that the dealer's price is a fair one for that issue and grade. The same goes for selling your coins; is the dealer offering a fair price for its condition? Take the time to learn the essentials of coin grading.
What Does First Day of Issue Mean?
First Day of Issue is a PCGS grading service designation that does not mean what you might think. Learn what the true PCGS definition is for this misleading, almost fraudulent designation.
First Day of Issue is a PCGS grading service designation that does not mean what you might think. Learn what the true PCGS definition is for this misleading, almost fraudulent designation.
What Is a PCGS Genuine Coin?
The PCGS Genuine service is causing confusion among coin collectors because these PCGS holders have no grade on them. This FAQ explains what a PCGS Genuine coin is and how to tell what the codes on the slab label mean.
The PCGS Genuine service is causing confusion among coin collectors because these PCGS holders have no grade on them. This FAQ explains what a PCGS Genuine coin is and how to tell what the codes on the slab label mean.
Fake PCGS Slab Diagnostics
This photo gallery shows the diagnostics to determine whether a PCGS slab is fake or genuine. The fake PCGS holder is shown side-by-side with the genuine PCGS holder, with markings to show you exactly what to look for.
This photo gallery shows the diagnostics to determine whether a PCGS slab is fake or genuine. The fake PCGS holder is shown side-by-side with the genuine PCGS holder, with markings to show you exactly what to look for.
What is Coin Grading?
Coin grading is a very important skill for anybody who wants to buy or sell coins. Grading coins is much more than just being able to tell the difference between an Uncirculated coin and a well-worn Good or Fine coin. This FAQ answers the basic questions that people new to coin grading are likely to ask.
Coin grading is a very important skill for anybody who wants to buy or sell coins. Grading coins is much more than just being able to tell the difference between an Uncirculated coin and a well-worn Good or Fine coin. This FAQ answers the basic questions that people new to coin grading are likely to ask.
Coin Grading Made Simple
Coin grading can be a difficult subject for the beginning collector. This article provides a very simple, basic method for judging the grade of almost any coin using clear, easy-to-follow steps.
Coin grading can be a difficult subject for the beginning collector. This article provides a very simple, basic method for judging the grade of almost any coin using clear, easy-to-follow steps.
How do You Tell the Difference Between DMPL and Genuine Proof Morgan Dollars?
Learn how to tell the difference between DMPL and Proof Morgan Dollars on this coin collecting FAQ page.
Learn how to tell the difference between DMPL and Proof Morgan Dollars on this coin collecting FAQ page.
What are the Differences Between DMPL, Prooflike, and Semi-Prooflike Morgans?
Learn how to tell the difference between Semi-Prooflike, Prooflike, and DMPL Morgan Dollars in this simple guide to Prooflike Morgans.
Learn how to tell the difference between Semi-Prooflike, Prooflike, and DMPL Morgan Dollars in this simple guide to Prooflike Morgans.
Coin Grading Service Rankings - Is the Three Tier System Enough?
Coin grading services are said to be classified into three tiers of reliability. In this article, I denote the current general rankings, and propose a more comprehensive five tier system that provides a fairer representation of the differences between various grading services.
Coin grading services are said to be classified into three tiers of reliability. In this article, I denote the current general rankings, and propose a more comprehensive five tier system that provides a fairer representation of the differences between various grading services.
What is the Difference Between the Edge and the Rim of a Coin?
There is a big difference between the edge of a coin and the rim of a coin, but many people use these terms interchangeably. Learn what the proper terms are when describing the Presidential Dollars.
There is a big difference between the edge of a coin and the rim of a coin, but many people use these terms interchangeably. Learn what the proper terms are when describing the Presidential Dollars.
The "Graded Coin Value" Fraud at Online Auctions - Learn to Protect Yourself
If you are buying coins from online auction sites such as ebay, you should be very wary about claims of coin values based on slabbed, or grading services' grades. This is an increasing problem on ebay, especially, so before you buy encapsulated coins, learn how this coin fraud is prepetrated, and a very simple method to avoid becoming a victim.
If you are buying coins from online auction sites such as ebay, you should be very wary about claims of coin values based on slabbed, or grading services' grades. This is an increasing problem on ebay, especially, so before you buy encapsulated coins, learn how this coin fraud is prepetrated, and a very simple method to avoid becoming a victim.
First Strike Coins - "First Strike" Doesn't Mean it was Struck First!
The First Strike designation is being used by grading services to imply that the coin within the holder is more valuable than others like it because it was struck first, but the U.S. Mint itself doesn't know which coins were struck when! Learn all about First Strike and what it really means.
The First Strike designation is being used by grading services to imply that the coin within the holder is more valuable than others like it because it was struck first, but the U.S. Mint itself doesn't know which coins were struck when! Learn all about First Strike and what it really means.
What is the Sheldon Scale of Coin Grading?
The Sheldon Scale 70-point system has become the standard coin grading system for modern coins. Learn what the Sheldon Scale is, and how to use it to grade your own coins.
The Sheldon Scale 70-point system has become the standard coin grading system for modern coins. Learn what the Sheldon Scale is, and how to use it to grade your own coins.
Roller Marks or Weight Adjustment Marks? Learn the Difference on These Coins
This photo diagnostic helps you determine the difference between roller marks and weight adjustment marks on U.S. coins.
This photo diagnostic helps you determine the difference between roller marks and weight adjustment marks on U.S. coins.
Coin Grading Systems - The History of Coin Grading Scales
Coin grading has become very standardized in the past couple of decades, thanks to the advent of the third party grading service. Most coin collectors recognize the Sheldon 70-point grading scale as the standard for modern coins, but you will still see coins on the market graded by other standards, particularly coins from older collectons. Learn about the history of grading coins, and what the various grading systems are and how they relate to each other.
Coin grading has become very standardized in the past couple of decades, thanks to the advent of the third party grading service. Most coin collectors recognize the Sheldon 70-point grading scale as the standard for modern coins, but you will still see coins on the market graded by other standards, particularly coins from older collectons. Learn about the history of grading coins, and what the various grading systems are and how they relate to each other.
Adjectival Grades - What are Adjectival Grades for Coins?
The adjectival coin grading scale was in use long before the Sheldon Scale of 70-points was widely accepted. Learn what the adjectival grading system was, and what the grades were in this overview of the traditional coin grading method.
The adjectival coin grading scale was in use long before the Sheldon Scale of 70-points was widely accepted. Learn what the adjectival grading system was, and what the grades were in this overview of the traditional coin grading method.
What are Adjustment Marks on Coins?
Adjustment marks appear on many pre-1840 coins, although they are most frequently seen on coins dated prior to 1821. Learn what weight adjustment marks are, what caused them, how to distinguish them from other field marks such as roller marks, and how adjustment marks affect the value of your coins.
Adjustment marks appear on many pre-1840 coins, although they are most frequently seen on coins dated prior to 1821. Learn what weight adjustment marks are, what caused them, how to distinguish them from other field marks such as roller marks, and how adjustment marks affect the value of your coins.
ANACS President James Taylor Answers Coin Grading Services Questions
While James Taylor was president of ANACS, he participated in a candid question and answer session with Coin Community members. He was asked some tough questions about ANACS policies about coin grading. Although Taylor has since moved on to another company, this ANACS Q&A gives an interesting insight into the considerations faced by a major grading service.
While James Taylor was president of ANACS, he participated in a candid question and answer session with Coin Community members. He was asked some tough questions about ANACS policies about coin grading. Although Taylor has since moved on to another company, this ANACS Q&A gives an interesting insight into the considerations faced by a major grading service.
A Guide to the Major Grading Services
This is an overview of the major coin grading services, written by Reid Goldsborough, a noted authority in the detection and prevention of ancient coin fakes. Learn about which grading services are the best, and why, and what the differences are between them.
This is an overview of the major coin grading services, written by Reid Goldsborough, a noted authority in the detection and prevention of ancient coin fakes. Learn about which grading services are the best, and why, and what the differences are between them.
Ten Tips to Sharpen Your Grading Skills
Knowing how to grade coins quickly and consistently takes many years of practice. However, developing the skill of grading can be expedited a little bit by following certain methods, including those which are outlined here.
Knowing how to grade coins quickly and consistently takes many years of practice. However, developing the skill of grading can be expedited a little bit by following certain methods, including those which are outlined here.
How to Grade Ancient Coins
Ancient coin collectors do not use the same standard of numerical-based grade values that U.S. coin collectors use. Because each ancient coin was struck by hand, from hand-carved dies, you must consider three major areas when grading: wear, manufacture, and preservation. Nobody explains these concepts better than Doug Smith in this outstanding reference.
Ancient coin collectors do not use the same standard of numerical-based grade values that U.S. coin collectors use. Because each ancient coin was struck by hand, from hand-carved dies, you must consider three major areas when grading: wear, manufacture, and preservation. Nobody explains these concepts better than Doug Smith in this outstanding reference.
How to Grade Canadian Coins
Learning how to grade Canadian coins properly is important, not only to avoid being overcharged when you buy rare coins, but to determine what your own Canadian coins are worth. This page explains grading coins with dozens of actual Canadian coin photo examples showing the grades.
Learning how to grade Canadian coins properly is important, not only to avoid being overcharged when you buy rare coins, but to determine what your own Canadian coins are worth. This page explains grading coins with dozens of actual Canadian coin photo examples showing the grades.