Grading 101

[JerryNich]

Can somebody help me get a ballpark grade on this penny? I'm reading up on grading online and some of it seems to be science and some of it seems to be sorcery. And regarding color, is this red or red brown?

 

[JerryNich]

[Just Bob]

Sorry, but there is no way (for me, at least) to give an opinion on grade from a picture that indistinct when it is enlarged.

[JerryNich]

Okay, fair enough. This is all learning curve material for me so I appreciate your input. I'll work on better images - might need better equipment.

[JerryNich]

Do you folks use those increasingly popular USB microscopes? If so, do you have any recommendations for brand, and or model?

[Just Bob]

10 minutes ago, JerryNich said:

Do you folks use those increasingly popular USB microscopes? If so, do you have any recommendations for brand, and or model?

Don't buy a cheap one. I tried one of the $25 ones, and the picture quality is poor. I works fine for looking at things close up, but not for sharing pictures.

[Edthelorax]

i am still learning also. So I am going to write what I think I saw before looking at the other's answers. That way I can be corrected and learn something too.

I would call it red brown, I see some darker areas, not brown but not like a new penny either. 

I would have to say AU58, I am seeing just the slightest touch of wear going down Lincoln's face and high points of the lapel on his jacket.  For all know, they could be contact marks from other coins. 

Slight circulation would be the cause of luster breaks at the darker areas, unless they are from the lighting. 

I see some light scratches, but I'm pretty sure they are from the die. 

 

 

[Edthelorax]

2 hours ago, JerryNich said:

Do you folks use those increasingly popular USB microscopes? If so, do you have any recommendations for brand, and or model?

My wife and I bought some equipment from Ray Parkhurst at http://www.macrocoins.com/ I think I saw he had something I would think is even better for sale recently. 

He is very knowledgeable and was extremely helpful. Ray's great guy, I would ask him what he has or recommends.

[Conder101]

On 2/12/2019 at 3:52 PM, JerryNich said:

I'm reading up on grading online and some of it seems to be science and some of it seems to be sorcery.

For circulated coins it's science, for Mint State, especially higher Mint State it's sorcery. 

[Numismatic, A.A.S.]

Voodoo witchcraft with a twist of magic dust sprinkled by a fairy in the mystic realm of unicorns.......peace

[Mohawk]

18 hours ago, Conder101 said:

For circulated coins it's science, for Mint State, especially higher Mint State it's sorcery. 

Indeed it is.  I'd love for someone at NGC to be able to show me the exact difference between a 69 and a 70. 

[JerryNich]

Interesting variety of replies  Thanks for the input.