|
Dollar-E-Book
Home
E-Books
Business
Child Care
Various Subjects
After School Activities
Blogging
Health
Cigars
Coin Collection
Diamonds
Family Budget
Fishing
Gambling
Gardening
AdSense
Home Schooling
Paint Ball
| |
How to Grade Your Coins
A "grade" is described as a shorthand designed by coin experts (numismatists) to
reveal a coin’s appearance. Simply put, if a certain coin collector tells
another collector that he owns an uncirculated Charlotte 50 half eagle, both
should already have a concept of the coins appearance without even seeing it,
because of the claim of its grade.
Some disclose that designating a grade to rank or categorize a coin is more of
an art rather than science, since often it is extremely subjective or biased;
this applies particularly when working on “Mint State” coins where little
differences, in terms of grade, make so much difference in the price.
Grading can be learned, studied and applied with a predictable and known outcome
that eventually depends on judgment, not feelings.
Like any language, science, sport, or research, it is best to learn and
understand coin grading one component at a time, through serious study and
experience.
Today, most numismatists use the “Sheldon grading scale”. While there are those
that complain of "too many grades", most experienced coin graders recognize and
appreciate the fact that there is a wide range in features between ranges.
Strike
This is the method of stamping or imprinting a drawing or a symbol onto a blank.
Depending on the coin’s design, it can either have weak or strong strike. An
example of this would be the “Type II gold dollar” on which both sides (front
and back) have the highest strike that is perfectly aligned, meaning, these
designs require weak strikes.
Generally the strike is not a key factor in establishing the coin’s grade except
when it is included in a series where the value is connected to strike.
Preservation of the coin’s surface
The number of coin marks as well as where they are placed is a significant
element in establishing the grade. While there is no fixed formula on the number
of coin marks that sets its grade, there are several regulated standards
regarding the significance of the location or positioning of a scratch.
For instance, a coin having a deep scratch that it is not easily visible on its
reverse (back) side will not be strictly penalized. However, if the same scratch
was positioned on a noticeable or obvious central point on the front, such as
the cheek on the Statue of Liberty, it would be penalized much more.
Patina or luster
A coin can have a variation of textures on the surface, influenced by design,
the metal that was used and the “mint of origin”. Textures can include frosty,
satiny, proof-like and semi-proof-like.
When examining the coin’s surface in terms of grade, two things should be looked
at; the quantity, or what is left of the original skin (has to be intact), and
the location and amount of marks.
Luster is important especially when determining whether a coin is either
circulated or uncirculated. A coin in Mint State technically; is free of
abrasion and wear and must not have significant breaks in its luster.
Color
This is a very subjective element in determining coin grade. For instance, a
“gold coin” showing dark green-gold pigmentation may be unattractive to one
collector and attractive to another.
As gold is moderately an inert metal, it is not prone to much color variance as
copper or silver. Although wide ranging colors may exist in gold coins.
Almost all of US gold coins had been dipped or cleaned, therefore not anymore
displaying their original color. As coin collectors become knowledgeable, most
of them are attracted and fascinated to coins having their natural color. In
most coin series, it is nearly impossible to discover original coin pieces.
Eye attraction or appeal
Color, luster, strike and surface marks come together, comprises “eye appeal”.
Note that a coin having superior “eye appeal” can be strong in one aspect, such
as possessing exceptional luster but not quite as strong in another aspect, such
as not so good color.
A coin that is undesirable in one aspect yet good enough in all the other
aspects can still be distinguished as “below average” in “eye appeal”.
Knowing how to grade a coin is very important so that one can have an idea of
the value or price of the coin that he is buying or selling. When new to coin
collecting, be sure to ask the help of an experienced collector or dealer when
buying or exchanging your coins.
| | |
.com