how do you....

[Shady Digger]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to read coin pricing guides like this one

http://www.bestcoin.com/walking-half-dollars.htm

thanx

RR

 

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[idahotokens]

The numbers at the column headings are grade or condition based on the 1-70 scale developed a numbe of years back. Old verbal terms, like Good (VG = 4), Extra Fine (XF = 40), etc., that correspond to the numbers can be found in a Red Book. The date and mintmark are on the left column, and prices (in $) are in the fields. Is that what you want to know?
John in ID

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

It's a scale of 1 to 70. One being that you can tell which coin it is and 70 equivalent to playing 9 holes of golf and shooting 9 holes-in-one. Zero imperfections. Some coins drop out of the dies grading 65 before leaving the mint (i.e. weak strikes). It also helps to get a book like Photograde or a line drawing guide to grading coins. It can be VERY heartbreaking, however, when you find the dug coins we rave about here are usually in the Good or Fine range (which may be only 5% of the value of an About Uncirculated example).

 

[Shady Digger]

ok that helped a lot guys so thx.....
but just so im getting this, what would you say this walker is worth?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I'd give that a solid Very Fine-20, worth $8.50 or so book. Lines in the skirt showing but not complete, sandle lines bold but worn on left foot, eagles feathers worn, right arm flat but still showing relief. A dealer may offer you 60% of that, or $5.10 ( and he'll mark it $8.00 or so as no one can sell at "book").

Or $27.00 on ebaY.