Are You Looking To Have A Coin Graded? Find Out What Factors A Grader Looks At When Grading Your Coin
If you have stumbled across a rare coin, or inherited one, you may be looking at having it graded. However, if you are not a coin collector, or are new to collecting, you may be unsure of what factors a coin grading service looks at when determining the grade of the coin. Learning what is looked at when grading the coin will help you to understand why some coins receive a higher or lower grade than others. Here are three factors a coin-grading service will look at when grading your coin.
How Much Wear the Coin Has
The primary factor that is looked at when determining what grade a coin gets is how much wear the coin has. This basically means how much rubbing it has. When you hold a coin, place it in your pocket or transfer it from one person to another, it experiences wear. This causes the impressions on the coin to slightly wear down. Over time, this can result in a great amount of wear. A new coin will have no wear, while a used coin will have various levels of wear. A coin-grading service will determine how much wear a coin has and grade it accordingly.
Noticeable Deficiencies
Another factor that a coin grader will look at when evaluating the condition of your coin is any noticeable deficiencies. These can be issues that were caused during or after the manufacturing process. This includes things like coin imprints that aren't as strong as they should be, scratches on the coin, or dents on the coin. A grader will look for any imperfections or flaws on the coin. If there are any present, this will affect the grade that your coin receives.
Discoloration
The last major factor that a coin-grading service will look at when determining what grade to give your coin is whether your coin has any discoloration. Coins are made from various types of metal, and over time this metal can become discolored. Copper can develop a patina color to it, while silver can tarnish. Unfortunately, while natural, these things can have a negative impact on the grade your coin will receive and the value of your coin. Generally speaking, the more discoloration the coin has, the worse the grade will be. This is why it is important to protect a coin against discoloration by placing it in a coin protector.
If you are new to coin collecting or have never had a coin graded before, you may be unsure what factors a grader looks at when giving your coin a grade. Learning what factors are considered can help you to better understand why two similar-looking coins may receive grades that are quite different from each other.
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