The Coin Grading System
by Robert L Taylor, JD
Coin grading is a term used to refer to the process of determining the condition or quality of a coin, and its full identity. It is essential to know what the grade is of a particular coin, because, as a general matter, the higher the grade of a coin, the higher its numismatic value.
Coins are graded on a 0-70 point scale devised by Dr William Shelby. The details can be found in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins published by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). Under this method of grading, the higher the point scale accorded a particular coin, the better its quality.
The process of grading a coin is partly subjective and partly an art, rather than a true science. Accurate grading requires many years of skill and experience. However, determining an approximate grade is possible for even the novice coin collector.
The basic point scales that define coin grades, are as follows:
1. Mint State Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
Mint state uncirculated coin in perfect condition, showing no traces of wear, and no blemishes, scratches, handling or contact with other coins. The best quality coin possible.
2. Choice (Gem) Uncirculated (MS-65-69)
An above average uncirculated coin which retains all of the original mint brilliance or luster, and has a very few contact marks on the surface or rim, which are barely noticeable.
3. Brilliant Uncirculated or BU (MS-60-64)
An uncirculated coin having no traces of wear but which has a few contact marks, surface spotting or lacks some of its original luster.
4. Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55 & 58)
A coin having very light wear on only the highest points of the design but no other defects and with most of its luster remaining.
5. About Uncirculated (AU-50)
Coin has evidence of light wear on many of the high points but at least half of the mint luster is still present.
6. Extremely Fine (EF-40)
The coin design is lightly worn in most places but all the features remain sharp and well defined.
7. Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
Light even wear on the surface and highest parts of the design but most major features and the lettering are sharp.
8. Very Fine (VF-20)
Minor features such as some of the finer hair detail, feathers, etc. will be moderately worn. Shows moderate wear on high points of design. All major details are clear.
9. Fine (F-12)
Moderate to considerable even wear over most features and the lettering. A lot of the details are worn through but you can still see a good deal of the design. 10. Very Good (VG-8)
The entire design is weak, but a few details are visible. Well worn throughout but coin rims still visible.
11. Good (G-4)
Heavily worn but design and legend still visible although quite weak in spots. Many details are gone.
12. About Good (AG-3)
Very heavily worn with portions of lettering, date and legends worn smooth and barely discernable.
Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright 2006 Robert L Taylor, JD
Robert L Taylor, Jd
http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/the-coin-grading-system-72438.html
I’m a coin collecter. But now I’m just focusing on Quarters and the $1 presidental coins.I didn’t they made the $1 president coins until now. And 3 has already been released. Does anyone know how I can get them?
check out this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_%241_Coin_Program
The new $ are so new you will have no problem getting your hands on them. Most banks will carry them. If you have a coin shop near you, you will be able to get uncirculated ones for just about face value. They can also sell you albums and holders especially made for the new series. Happy collecting!
You can also go online. Here’s a really good site.
www.fastcoin.com
Can anyone offer tips or a helpful site to help me get started? Thanks.
Collect what interests YOU!
You like animals?
Collect foreign coins with lions, tigers & bears (Oh my!) on them. Collect the Zoo series of the Roman Emperor Gallienus – many are cheaper than a lot of slabbed US coins.
Want to collect square coins?
Collect coins from ancient India.
Want to collect bright, shiny coins sealed in plastic?
Buy proof sets.
Want to play Indiana Jones?
Buy uncleaned Greek and Late Roman Bronzes and clean them like a real archaeologist, they are surprisingly cheap.
Want to collect coins from all over the world cheap?
Buy world coins by weight (usually by the pound will get 100+/-)
Whatever you do, don’t be overly concerned about what the coins are worth, collect for the enjoyment. If all you care about is money, collect some nice, sterile slabbed coins that you will never touch.
Have fun,
Jim
I saw a lot of 50 wheat Pennies on ebay that was going for a good amount of money. I looked at them and I didn’t see a difference. But obviously there is some difference. Can someone explain to me what is different about them and what they are?
http://coins.about.com/library/coin_values/bl_wheat_cents.htm
I thinking of starting but don’t know how
Coin collecting is a large field and what you collect depends on what you like and how much money you have to invest into the hobby. Some people like to pick one denomination and try to put a set together, with this idea sometimes there are one or several coins in that set that may be very expensive. A type set of 20th century coins is usually obtainable. On a budget a coin from every country can be fun as well as a learning experience. You will never finish such a set and some from countries that are no longer around may be expensive but usually not. On world coins you could say pick the years of world war II and collect them. I would go to several coin dealers and see what is available. Most U.S. coin dealers don’t have much in world coins but there are world coin dealers out there. Maybe ancient coins would be fun and they are not that expensive. Over the years I have found the most friendly and helpful coin dealers do not sell U.S. coins but world and ancients. If i can be of any more assistance I would be glad to help email me for my home email address. Either way good luck.
———-
Getting your coin collection going ahead isnt as tough as you might imagine and there are a quantity of avenues you can hunt. Almost all of it depends nevertheless on why you need to grow to be a coin collector. If youre doing it just as a restful diversion then you have no dilemma and can get in full swing pretty much off the bat.
If though, youre undertaking this as an investment or youre looking into collecting coins which are unusual or have any other specifics to recommend them you might have to do a tad of legwork initially to get things off the ground.
The places where you can find your coins to begin your fad, which I have given on my website below, are all first class places to start in spite of what your reasons are. Its only later on that you might have to branch out and locate diverse ways and means to get your coin collection completed.
In whatever way that may be, there are a hardly any crucial things you want to do before, during and after you get your coins. Again, it depends totally on what kind of coin collector youre going to be. Ive outlined to the greatest of my abilities the various sorts of collectors whom Ive come across over the years. Youll unearth small sketches of these in the sections of our website below.
Where you can get your coins
How you start your coin collection doesnt in reality matter, all that matters is that you managed to get it off the ground. On the other hand, you might find that you have a little further fortune with a number of the avenues of collecting than by just putting your hand down the rear of the divan!
This, or between the cushions might be a good place for you to start looking for any free change, however that particular depository wont last for long and youll want somewhere that yields additional coins.
These are just a few suggestions to get you in full swing. In Also and besides, it all finally leads to the identical effect, and simply depends on how serious you are about your pastime.
Your piggy bank
Undoubtedly the original thing that comes to your brain when you hear the words Piggy bank is that of a plump tiny earthernware pig, painted an attention-grabbing cartoon pink which you, or someone you are familiar with, had at some point or other.
This need not be the case of course, and there are loads of respectable looking piggy banks out there that dont necessarily need to promote to the whole world that its a piggy bank. If you think yourself above such frivolous things then you most likely dont have a piggy bank nonetheless.
Instead you almost certainly have a cookie jar, or a tin, filled with all the additional Pennies, Quarters and other change thats forever rolling around your pockets.
But if youve boldly kept the one you had since childhood intact, or youre just an old softie and have your own little piggy bank then this is as good place to start as any for your coin collecting fad.
Hopefully you wont be required to crack the piggy open to get to your coins, but when needs must!
Most piggy banks come well guarded against such contingencies nevertheless, and you ought to find a fitting tiny stoppered opening on the underbelly of your wealthy little bank.
You wont of necessity locate any rare coins but you will most likely find a few appealing pieces and enough to keep your interest fuelled and raring to get on to the next little piggy youve got out of sight in the corner of your closet.
———-
Allan
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/collecting-rare-old-coins-110128.html
I do not mean to find where to buy such books! I mean being able to access them for reference and actually see the values.
There are no coin price catalogues online for ancients, but the site http://www.coinarchives.com/a will let you search for coins similar to yours that have been sold at auction in recent times along with the price realized. There is also a medieval and modern side to it as well at http://www.coinarchives.com/w .
the one from 1928 is in fair condition, a lot of wear, but still able to see the picture and lettering. the one from 1941 is in a lot better condition. i also have a dime in great condition from 1945. does anybody have an estimate on what these coins sell for?
There is no 1928 1/2 dollar but there is a 1928-S 1/2 dollar. The mint mark is on the eagle side above and to the left of the H in half. In low circulated grades from $5 -$10., as long as you can see the mint mark and all legends are readable . In 1941 the minted the 1/2 at Philadelphia, Denver (D) & San Francisco (S) mints, mint mark if any same spot as 1928. It is worth $5 to $6 in high circulated grades. The 1945 dime has a mint mark if any at the bottom of the reverse near the E in one. It is a common date with a high mintage as is worth $1-$1.50 Values are about what a dealer would pay. The coins will only go up in value as time goes by so just keep them for now.
I was rolling coins and the dime roll just says ‘Dimes’ with no dollar or coin amount so how many Dimes do I put in there?
five dollars
I’d like to start coin collecting, since I’ve sorta started "by accident". How is the best way to collect some inexpensive ancient coins? Anyone out there got any suggestions for a newbie? 
I’ve been collecting ancients for about 2 years now. I mostly buy "crusties" (uncleaned coins that I soak in distilled water and clean up myself). These are inexpensive, but you never know what you will get. I avoid e-bay unless I know the seller. ANY EBAY SELLER ADVERTISING "GOLD COINS FOUND" IS A FRAUD. There are several reputable dealers, among them Noble Roman Coins, that I deal with regularly. Also, "Buy the book before you buy the coin" is very good advice. Might I suggest "The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins" by David Van Meter as a great first book. Usually around $30 on e-bay. Lots of pictures, lots of history, and lots of attribution. Another suggestion, ww.nobleromancoins.com has a free DVD download on "The Art of Cleaning Ancient Coins". Also, there are many good ancient coin groups on Yahoo. Join a couple and "lurk" for a while. I guarantee this "addiction" (intense hobby) is fun and enjoyable. Good Luck!!
Dennis Skea