PAYMENTS AND TERMS

ABOUT GRADING: Grading of coins is a subjective science. Grading terms have evolved over many years, expanding from a few categories such as "good", "very good", "fine", etc. to today's 70 point grading scale. Certified coins have been graded by the third party service which has "slabbed" the coin. For the most part those grades stand on their own, although grading has again evolved to the point where a graded coin may have a + (plus) sign, or a "CAC" sticker on the plastic slab, meaning the coin is "choice" for the grade assigned. This is evidenced by a green "CAC" sticker. In some instances a coin will be given a gold sticker meaning someone at "CAC" (Certified Acceptance Corporation) has determined that the coin is probably undergraded by at least one grade.

I do not question the grade assigned by a third party service. When buying certified coins I look for those with superior eye appeal, coins that would be a nice addition to any collection. Many times I have selected an attractive coin graded MS-64 over an unattracive coin graded MS-65. I try to conservatively grade all raw coins in my inventory. That way there is a better chance that a coin has been under, rather than overgraded. I do not give circulated coins numbers. Rather, I grade them by the older standard, namely "good", "very good", "fine", "extremely fine" or "AU" (almost uncirculated). I will assign a number to an uncirculated coin in some instances, otherwise the coin is considered "BU" (brilliant uncirculated).

How does one learn to grade? Well, there are many published books that give guides to grading. I have read a couple of these books but found that hands on experience is the best teacher. I took the ANA grading course a number of years ago, and have personally examined thousands of coins over the years. Plus, I have been able to gain knowledge from a number of experienced numismatists who have been grading coins much longer than I. Some are well known dealers, others are former third party graders, and I was fortunate enough to be a member of a wonderful coin club, the New Jersey Numismatic Society. The members there are true numismatists, with incredible knowledge about diverse areas of the hobby.