N.C.I. Grading Guide, a step-by-step approach to the grading of uncirculated and proof coins

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. [...]

This is an excellent tool for learning coin grading. A must for every collector.

This book is far & away the best guide that I have seen on the all too confusing subject of grading coin's.Mr.Halperin makes it a little easier for someone new to the hobby like myself.This book will save me alot of money on my future coin purchases.

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.