How did you learn to grade coins?

[Mongo 1]

I have done lots of google research regarding grading coins and learning how to do it yourself. It seems that there is no short cut for years of experience in coin collecting to achieve this. So be it, I will take on the challenge!

Many of the sites with advice go through what each grade should look like, and what you should look for.

I was just curious to hear anyone's own personal experience on how you learned this skill, and, if any, tips or advice you may have of how to go about it.

I thought of purchasing different grades from reputable dealers, and using them to compare with other coins I browse for sale on the net, using the ones I trust to be graded accurately as a sort of "master" copy, though I feel this will be hard based on just the quality of a picture.

Any advice appreciated, as this is the one thing that I find a bit daunting as a noobie

[declanwmagee 122]

I started off using the descriptions in the Coin Yearbook - I don't know if they still have them but I transcribed them about 20 years ago and have been carrying them around ever since:

here they are

Since then, Derek Allen has published the definitive guide:

Derek's book

It's a book I still take off the shelf at least once a week!

[Rob 3,152]

If you are collecting 20th century, get yourself some modern proof or specimen sets. One 1970 and one later for decimal issues. A 1950 or 51 set will sort you out for George VI. The same could be said for earlier sets, but the cost might be a bit prohibitive. These will set your benchmark for what things should look like if in perfect condition. Then it is just a case of working out how much wear you have on a coin.

[Geordie582 18]

It depends a lot on what you collect. EF milled will be vastly different to EF hammered! Spinks include a general guide in their "Coins of England" but that is specific to the country, though is a good general standard.

[Peter 615]

Buy a few denominations in various grades from reliable dealers.

Each series has it's weak and strong points.

Stains,carbon spots and edge knocks etc need to be taken into consideration and can easily knock a coins value down by a couple of grades.Equally a coin with eye appeal will increase its value.

Look out for cleaning,dipping,hairlines on coins....all these effect value.

Regardless of grade I only buy what I really like.

NOTE;Not all dealers grade the same.It is not an exact science.

[Mongo 1]

Thanks for the advice and the links you have posted, It is extremely helpful to me... as always!

[azda 979]

P.s, if buying from America or from a historic overgrader seller on eBay, ALWAYS take their grading with a large pinch of salt

[Mongo 1]

P.s, if buying from America or from a historic overgrader seller on eBay, ALWAYS take their grading with a large pinch of salt

Thanks azda, I had a read up about the big difference in UK - US grading, I think I will stick with UK sellers for the time being. I will also avoid eBay for any expensive coins until I am more confident.

[Gary 7]

Since then, Derek Allen has published the definitive guide:

Derek's book

It's a book I still take off the shelf at least once a week!

I second this, Dereks book is excellent and well worth the money. I too regularly get it off the shelf.

[TomGoodheart 402]

I have never really learned to grade, largely because grading (as in degree of wear) is not the sole determinant of .. attractiveness... with hammered coins. OK, I can make a reasonable decision on seeing a coin, but I don't take it too seriously. Because there are other factors that can make one hammered coin more desirable than another, even though it may show more signs of circulation.

But what is helpful as Rob says, is to know what the perfect coin (or best available) looks like to give you a benchmark to aim for. To that end I keep a collection of photographs from internet searches of coins, together with when they were sold and for how much. It gives me an idea as to whether a price is within reason for a coin in a particular condition. It also gives me a sort of population report; if I have plenty of examples, it's likely a common coin. Very few, I know I might have difficulty tracking down another. It's not perfect, but I find it helpful ..

[Peckris 579]

Tom's advice is also very useful - I would much rather have an eye-catching and pleasing GVF than a rather dowdy EF.

I actually learned grading from several sources :

1. my own experience of collecting built up over years

2. as a newb, the Coin Monthly Yearbook printed pictures of 4 grades of every monarch obverse from Victoria YH to Liz II - invaluable

3. my early mistakes!

In those days you could also send away for a set of 20thC pennies in all grades from Poor to Unc, for a modest outlay. For the current newb, Derek's book (above left in the banner ad) is essential reading and will repay what you spend on it several times over.

[Hussulo 6]

P.s, if buying from America or from a historic overgrader seller on eBay, ALWAYS take their grading with a large pinch of salt

Followed by a shot of tequila and then suck on a lime that usually helps.

Grading takes a while to learn but I would also recommend what many have mentioned and also Derek's book.

You're probably past this stage but for any new collectors reading, I have written a small post about grading here: http://www.coinsgb.com/Grading.html

[Coinery 1,153]

People are forever putting coins up here and inviting others to have a stab at grading them, just have a go! If you honestly confess that you are just having a guess to build up your experience, there'll be half a dozen people here who will step forward and explain to you why you have or haven 't got it right, invaluable! You can be sure the grading will be just about spot-on when the big guns get involved!

Welcome, and enjoy! It takes years, so be prepared!

[Peckris 579]

People are forever putting coins up here and inviting others to have a stab at grading them, just have a go! If you honestly confess that you are just having a guess to build up your experience, there'll be half a dozen people here who will step forward and explain to you why you have or haven 't got it right, invaluable! You can be sure the grading will be just about spot-on when the big guns get involved!

Welcome, and enjoy! It takes years, so be prepared!

And don't forget that grading is an art not a science. There's room for disagreement even among experts. You could probably allow 1/3 of a grade for this. And even some perfectly honest dealers will grade at the bottom of this "disagreement scale" when buying, but sell the item at the top. That's life.

[Coinery 1,153]

People are forever putting coins up here and inviting others to have a stab at grading them, just have a go! If you honestly confess that you are just having a guess to build up your experience, there'll be half a dozen people here who will step forward and explain to you why you have or haven 't got it right, invaluable! You can be sure the grading will be just about spot-on when the big guns get involved!

Welcome, and enjoy! It takes years, so be prepared!

And don't forget that grading is an art not a science.

Yes, I believe the moment one realises it's an art, full of variables, and not a science, is the moment you're beginning to get it! Not forgetting to then add another twenty years or so!

Edited June 1, 2012 by Coinery

[Mongo 1]

I will not quote all of you and say thanks, but a BIG thanks to EVERYONE for your advice and insights, not just in this thread, but all my noobie booby posts

It is not everyday that a new user can sign up to a forum and receive such patient responses to questions that may sometimes seem a bit tedious to take the time to answer.

In response to your posts, my game plan is...

To invest in the book - The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins: Pre-decimal Issues (1797 to 1970)

To try and purchase a good range of high grade coins from reputable dealers, budget allowing, building a collection I can use to compare other coins with.

To not just have a look and think "thats lovely" when I get each coin, but get the magnifying glass out and make myself familiar with the fine details of each coin.

To do some google searching/coin shop hopping on the net, each time I see a nice coin, and compare what other coins listed with the same grade look like.

To make sure I do not get hung up on the grade of the coin, rather than make a decision based on what I personally really like about them!

I have just been comparing my new arrivals to some other coins I have from a joblot box. I have been noticing little details already, such as the fingers holding the trident on pennies seem to always be worn on lesser grade coins... I guess thats a start!

Thanks again

[SEnumis 0]

Snip: Mongo said "To not just have a look and think "thats lovely" when I get each coin, but get the magnifying glass out and make myself familiar with the fine details of each coin."

For my two pennorth by all means take out the magnifying glass and be familiar with the fine details of each coin. You will then realise just how lovely they can be as tiny works of art. In other words in my view grading is important, but the higher grades of coin allow me to appreciate more the aesthetics of what can be very beautiful art objects. The grade is a tool we can use on this quest.

Edited June 2, 2012 by SEnumis

[Peter 615]

I will not quote all of you and say thanks, but a BIG thanks to EVERYONE for your advice and insights, not just in this thread, but all my noobie booby posts

It is not everyday that a new user can sign up to a forum and receive such patient responses to questions that may sometimes seem a bit tedious to take the time to answer.

In response to your posts, my game plan is...

To invest in the book - The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins: Pre-decimal Issues (1797 to 1970)

To try and purchase a good range of high grade coins from reputable dealers, budget allowing, building a collection I can use to compare other coins with.

To not just have a look and think "thats lovely" when I get each coin, but get the magnifying glass out and make myself familiar with the fine details of each coin.

To do some google searching/coin shop hopping on the net, each time I see a nice coin, and compare what other coins listed with the same grade look like.

To make sure I do not get hung up on the grade of the coin, rather than make a decision based on what I personally really like about them!

I have just been comparing my new arrivals to some other coins I have from a joblot box. I have been noticing little details already, such as the fingers holding the trident on pennies seem to always be worn on lesser grade coins... I guess thats a start!

Thanks again

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

[Peckris 579]

I will not quote all of you and say thanks, but a BIG thanks to EVERYONE for your advice and insights, not just in this thread, but all my noobie booby posts

It is not everyday that a new user can sign up to a forum and receive such patient responses to questions that may sometimes seem a bit tedious to take the time to answer.

In response to your posts, my game plan is...

To invest in the book - The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins: Pre-decimal Issues (1797 to 1970)

To try and purchase a good range of high grade coins from reputable dealers, budget allowing, building a collection I can use to compare other coins with.

To not just have a look and think "thats lovely" when I get each coin, but get the magnifying glass out and make myself familiar with the fine details of each coin.

To do some google searching/coin shop hopping on the net, each time I see a nice coin, and compare what other coins listed with the same grade look like.

To make sure I do not get hung up on the grade of the coin, rather than make a decision based on what I personally really like about them!

I have just been comparing my new arrivals to some other coins I have from a joblot box. I have been noticing little details already, such as the fingers holding the trident on pennies seem to always be worn on lesser grade coins... I guess thats a start!

Thanks again

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

What Peter means is that he has a few mistakes to sell you if you're interested

Then if you're still interested, I have a few mistakes for sale also

[Peter 615]

I will not quote all of you and say thanks, but a BIG thanks to EVERYONE for your advice and insights, not just in this thread, but all my noobie booby posts

It is not everyday that a new user can sign up to a forum and receive such patient responses to questions that may sometimes seem a bit tedious to take the time to answer.

In response to your posts, my game plan is...

To invest in the book - The Standard Guide to Grading British Coins: Pre-decimal Issues (1797 to 1970)

To try and purchase a good range of high grade coins from reputable dealers, budget allowing, building a collection I can use to compare other coins with.

To not just have a look and think "thats lovely" when I get each coin, but get the magnifying glass out and make myself familiar with the fine details of each coin.

To do some google searching/coin shop hopping on the net, each time I see a nice coin, and compare what other coins listed with the same grade look like.

To make sure I do not get hung up on the grade of the coin, rather than make a decision based on what I personally really like about them!

I have just been comparing my new arrivals to some other coins I have from a joblot box. I have been noticing little details already, such as the fingers holding the trident on pennies seem to always be worn on lesser grade coins... I guess thats a start!

Thanks again

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

What Peter means is that he has a few mistakes to sell you if you're interested

Then if you're still interested, I have a few mistakes for sale also

Oh so true.

Another little tip.When at coin fairs lighting is sometimes crap.Make sure your glass has LED light....or eat plenty of carrots

[TomGoodheart 402]

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

What Peter means is that he has a few mistakes to sell you if you're interested

Then if you're still interested, I have a few mistakes for sale also

Me too! Did I mention what a fascinating series the hammered shillings of Charles I are? And how examples can be bought (from me) for well under £200?

Always pleased to help.

[Mongo 1]

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

What Peter means is that he has a few mistakes to sell you if you're interested

Then if you're still interested, I have a few mistakes for sale also

Me too! Did I mention what a fascinating series the hammered shillings of Charles I are? And how examples can be bought (from me) for well under £200?

Always pleased to help.

So that is why your all so helpful.... you wanna sell me all your junk! You really think I am that stupid?....

Im interested... how much do you want?

[Peckris 579]

Don't wrap yourself up too tightly otherwise you will never buy a coin.Go out there and make a few mistakes...it's part of the fun.

What Peter means is that he has a few mistakes to sell you if you're interested

Then if you're still interested, I have a few mistakes for sale also

Me too! Did I mention what a fascinating series the hammered shillings of Charles I are? And how examples can be bought (from me) for well under £200?

Always pleased to help.

So that is why your all so helpful.... you wanna sell me all your junk! You really think I am that stupid?....

Im interested... how much do you want?

Oh, just name my price, I'm sure we can come to some arrangement

[Mongo 1]

I am considering this coin, I think it is a very nice example of an Eddie shilling. To my untrained eye, it seems to be a lovely coin, I am just wondering if there is anything I have missed, has it been cleaned or dipped etc? What do you think of it?

[Gary 7]

I am considering this coin, I think it is a very nice example of an Eddie shilling. To my untrained eye, it seems to be a lovely coin, I am just wondering if there is anything I have missed, has it been cleaned or dipped etc? What do you think of it?

Looks fine to me and I dont mean the grade. A nice 1902 Shilling. I would grade it as NEF maybe EF, might get shot down on that though . Hard to tell if it has been dipped but if it has been then it was a long time ago. For some, dipping of silver coins is acceptable although still a Controversial topic. My personal stand on this is a coin with considerable wear (below EF) which is shiney just does not look right. A nicely toned coin is for me more attractive.