Grading coins is as much of an art as it is a science. Some would say that it leans more to the artistic side...

Others may not agree. In either case the best place to start is to get a copy of "The Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins", Published by Whitman Publishing and study it. You can start by studying the series' that you collect and then after you begin to feel comfortable with those you can move on to others.

Sending coins in to NGC has taught me a tremendous amount about how to grade coins also. The key here in to ask yourself "why" and "what". "Why" did they grade that coin an MS 63 and not an MS 62 or 64? What is it that they saw that kept it from grading better or worse? NOT, What were they thinking? Those guy have got to be crazy! Although, sometimes I have to admit, I have thought the very same thing. Individually and collectively or those guy have got a whole lot more experience grading than most of us. Usually I can figure out what or why they graded a particular coin the way that they did.

No matter what, you have to remember that grading coins, for the most part, is almost completely subjective. Sometimes you can show a coin to three different people and you will get three different grades. Sometimes they will all agree. (Not very often, just sometimes).

Just remember the keys to learning how to grade effectively are study the grading guide, critique coins that have been graded by reputable graders, and most importantly Experience. Experience is the biggest key of all! You will not learn how to grade coins well overnight. It will take time!

Good Luck!

Mike

This is one that I got right. It's a 1901 Indian Head Cent. It graded an MS 63 Brown. I was told that it was no better than an AU.