How to Grade U.S. Coins (Paperback)

by James L. Halperin (Author) "Perhaps the toughest part of the process of grading involves distinguishing between a mint state coin and a top grade Almost Uncirculated (A.U.) coin..." (more)
Key Phrases: grading mint state coins, frosty surfaces, excellent lustre, One Dollar Gold, Coin World, Three Cents (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The classic, watershed text on grading mint state and proof United States coins by the numismatist widely considered the most astute rare coin grader and trader in numismatics.

About the Author
James Halperin is co-founder of Heritage Rare Coin Galleries, the largest rare coin dealer and auctioneer in the world. He also writes science fiction novels, and endows a health education foundation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Press (October 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933372027
• ISBN-13: 978-0933372023
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #608,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best step-by-step book for grading Mint State coins, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

This book bring the grading stadards of mint state that are usedby the top grading companies right into your home. No other mint stategrading book in the world is as helpful to the beginning collector as "How to Grade U.S. Coins". The author takes you through step-by-step and shows you the key parts of the grading puzzle. He even provides a form for grading the coins which is essentiol to the novice collector. By reading this review you can easily see why I gave this book 5 stars.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this unless you wish to collect early U.S. coins!, May 18, 2003

By	Mendicant Pigeon "Mendicant Pigeon" (pdx, or United States) - See all my reviews

This book is woefully inadequate for anybody who wishes to learn to grade modern U.S. coins. One explanation for this may be the 1990 copyright date because it quite simply leaves out critical information for certain collectible U.S. coins. This book does have some vital and relevant information such as coin collecting nomenclature but this information is available in better, more helpful books. Certainly, the sections dedicated to "High Points of Design" and "Visual Impairment Severity Levels" which use photographic blow-ups of actual coins to show points and areas of concern for the grading of coins are an excellent visual aid, and especially helpful regarding U.S. commemoratives which are thoughtfully included in the book. However, the book lacks absolutely anything about the Kennedy Half Dollar and leaves out essential Visual Impairment Diagrams of the Jefferson Nickel; nothing for the Anthony Dollar either which, considering the fact that they are barely collectible in anything less than uncirculated conidtion, is probably forgivable, but still...
The book you want to buy right now instead, flaws and all, is 'Photograde.' I would definitely avoid this book unless one is only interested in building a so-called type coin collection or U.S. commemoratives in which case this is a definite buy. Otherwise, wait for the inevitable update because this version is outdated!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will improve your existing coin grading skills!, May 29, 2007

By	Jim "J. Bucki" (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

If you are just beginning to grade US coins, this book is NOT for you. Please check out Photograde: Official Photographic Grading Guide for United States Coins, 19th Edition by James F. Ruddy. My 10 year old uses Photograde and is becoming very adept at grading his coins.

If you are a novice coin grader and are looking to move into the next level of grading coins, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!

If you are going to purchase expensive coins in Mint State or Proof condition, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU TOO!! (Remember the old adage "Buy the book before you buy the coin")

If you have a few years of coin grading experience and still have not totally figured out how the third party grading services are coming up with the grades on Mint State and Proof coins, this book will give you the insight that you are seeking. Jim Halperin takes the art of grading coins and starts to explain the key factors that go into specifically grading Mint State and Proof coins. Remember, grading coins is an art, not a science. If you are looking for a scientific formula to apply to coin grading and consistently delivers the same result, it does not exist. But, Halperin does present many examples and gives a "formula" that you can use as a guide to developing your skills. The only way to develop that skill is to use it.

Simply reading this book (or any book on grading coins) will not improve your skills, but practice and working at it will. The book features hundreds of high quality photos that guide you in evaluating many different U.S. coins. The book was written in 1990, so photos of more recent coins are not included. The subjective and mystifying attribute of "eye-appeal" is very well described and illustrated through the use many photos showing "Visual Impairment Severity Levels". The "High Points of Design" which also factors into grading are illustrated through the use of many photos.

The bottom line: Use this book to improve your existing grading skills of Mint State and Proof coins by practicing the concepts illustrated and demonstrated in this book. Once you reach the next level you won't need this book and you will be able to grade any Mint State or Proof U.S. coin. If you can't get a personal training session from an "expert coin grader" like Jim Halperin, this is the next best thing.
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