How are U.S. Coins Graded?
The condition or state of wear of a coin, termed its “grade,” is one of the main determining factors of a coin’s value. Learning how to grade coins is essential for making sensible decisions whether buying, selling, or investing. -The History of Coin Grading Systems In the early days of coin collecting, grading of coins was by “instinct.” Dealers had different grading systems based on their individual experiences, observations, and opinions. There was very little standardization. Discussions on coin grading systems were held by the American Numismatic Association (A.N.A.) for decades, but it was not until the 1970’s that definite steps were taken to compile a book of universal grading standards. In 1978 the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins was first published, representing a consensus of professional numismatists’ grading systems. In recent times, coin values have increased sharply. In many instances coins that were sold at $100.00 twenty years ago command pric
