Coin grading book recommendations?

[NorthShoreRich]

Good Morning!

I recently found a small group of mixed coins that my Grandmother had, and passed to my mom, who when she passed I ended up finding. Can anyone recommend a good text on grading? I'd like to figure out their condition and I tend to do better with a book in hand then online, just one of my many quirks!

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I'm reviving my interest in collecting from my youth [life tends to make priorities shift and 30 years of caring for elderly relatives got expensive].

Thanks and have an awesome day.

 

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[enamel7]

Redbook will give you grading criteria for each coin series and in some cases examples.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

PCGS has an on-line photo grading section you might wish to try...

PCGS Photograde Online

 

[huntsman53]

The most recognized reference is "The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins". It not only explains what a coin should have to meet a grade, it also has pics of each grade and covers practically every Series and denomination of official U.S. coinage produced up until it's publication with the exception of Experimentals, Trials and Special runs.


Frank

 

[WhiteTornado]

Good suggestions above. If you have world coins (non-US), then it gets a bit harder. For those it is best to look at eBay pictures to get an idea of condition or perhaps post pictures here. The book Standard Catalog of World Coins (commonly called the Krause, the name of the publisher) is good for ID-ing foreign coins, but doesn't help explain grading.

 

[cudamark]

The most recognized reference is "The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins". It not only explains what a coin should have to meet a grade, it also has pics of each grade and covers practically every Series and denomination of official U.S. coinage produced up until it's publication with the exception of Experimentals, Trials and Special runs.


Frank

That's the one I've been using for over 35 years now. It has more detail and better explanations than the Red Book.

 

[NorthShoreRich]

Thanks all!

I'll likely pick up both. Better to have more info then less!

Appreciate the suggestions!!

 

[huntsman53]

Thanks all!

I'll likely pick up both. Better to have more info then less!

Appreciate the suggestions!!

Both of the books will serve you well! The Redbook on United States Coins is a great book but somewhat of a starter book for grading. With the "The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins" and much study of it's contents, will graduate you to a whole new level.


Frank

 

[collision]

"The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection" by PCGS is a good book on grading US coins. It has detailed descriptions on how to grade every type and expert explanations of the grades. On top of that, the book has won a number of numismatic awards.

 

[Davers]

Both of the books will serve you well! The Redbook on United States Coins is a great book but somewhat of a starter book for grading. With the "The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins" and much study of it's contents, will graduate you to a whole new level.


Frank

I use , I believe the title is Grading Coins Using Photographs , by D. Bowers
For 'Field Use ' I have a couple copies 1 I carry in my Modern Briefcase ( a Lap Top Bag) so I will have a Quick Reference on me at all times , in case I come across a coin at an Antique Market , Yard Sale , Coin Store Etc. ' I don't do well with I-Phones & such Either.

Then at Home I have The latest "Red Book", "Blue Book" and " The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for U.S. Coins" for my most useful Grading Reference , as it has more Details Than the Grading Coins using Photographs Book.

IMO- All will Serve you well . As will other types of Numismatic Ref, Books You can Use/ Afford.

If it were possible I,d own every Coin reference book Made. You know " Just in Case" lol

Good Luck & Enjoy The Hobby

Davers