would like some pointers on grading lincolns please

[aballein]

what are some of the more common things to look for when grading a lincoln. Where do you usually see "wear" first, does color have any kind of affect on grade, how much does a small hit take off a coins grade, small as in not detracting to the eye. What about spots, do they detract even if they are removable? Any help is appreciated as i really have no clue how to grade coins but am willing to learn. Thanks


Aaron

[murphy]

Chuck's book, Looking Through Lincoln Cents, has a very good section on how to grade Lincolns. PCGS has online pages devoted to teaching collectors about grading coins. Google "Coin Grading" and you would no doubt get enough pages to keep you busy a while.
I have found a few ms68 examples of business strike cents while searching new rolls for varieties. As I check a new cent for varieties, I am also looking for spots, scratches and dings. If I see a coin that has no spots, dings nor scratches then I turn it over and look on the other side for spots, dings & scratches. It's exceedingly hard to find a coin with no spots, dings or scratches on BOTH sides. Minor scratches are tolerable if they are in the lettering and spots are tolerable if close to the rim. One noticeable scratch will prevent a coin from grading ms68. There are many other considerations too, but I'm only mentioning the most obvious. Such things as rims with good form & rim dings, bag marks, strike, luster, finish, etc. all go into figuring the grade of a coin. Ya gotta grade a few or see a few that have already been graded if you want to be proficient at grading. GL.
BTW, vew grading companies hold the same grading standards. An ms65 at PCGS may grade ms66 at NGC.

[Bob P]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Murph hit on all the pertinent information you need. One3 important thing to remember though is that coin grading is very subjective, Murph's point about the grading services differing on grades is but the tip of the iceberg. Anyway, if you can, read up on the references Murph stated. Chuck's book is what I use here.

[Steven]

A few grades are listed on this site as well

http://www.coppercoins.com/lincoln/grading/grading.php

Steven

[aballein]

well after this wedding fiasco is over i just might have to find Chucks book, thanks fellas.

[eagames]

Not talking about grading in the high MS grades, when looking at older brown cents in Fine to AU I focus on the ear first. On a lot of ones people try to slide by as brown uncs if you look at the ear often you see the detail is worn off. Be careful because weak strikes might lack detail even without wear.

A good way to test yourself and learn is if you send stuff for grading try putting what you think on a paper and describe to yourself. When you get them back you will learn a lot from comparing your estimates to what the graders say.

Each company trends differently compared to others and even might shift a grade if you sent the same coin in more than once.

[carlb]

One thing you may consider is going to a coin show. You'll notice there is section on this forum that refers you to a list of coin shows per the area you live. If your lucky to live in or near an area of numerous coin shows, they are great for educational purposes. At many of them you could sit down with a dealer and ask tons of questions. If you are lucky enough to find coin shows with nice dealers they are usually proud to show off thier knoledge of coins so just ask away. If not so lucky try garage/yard sales or flea markets for older versions of coin books. I've seen older Red Books going for $1. Loads of info.