Description
Graded coins are coins that have undergone expert evaluation for both rarity and condition to determine their value as collector’s items. Unlike the original “new or used” grading system of the past, these days in numismatics a more nuanced approach is now employed that considers a variety of factors. From coloration, strike, luster, and surface preservation, to even overall eye appeal, so many things are taken into consideration.
Before the current coin grading system, coins were broadly categorized as new or used, providing limited information about their actual condition. As the demand for a more precise grading system grew, numismatists developed methodologies to evaluate coins comprehensively. The United States now uses the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale, applicable to coins of various materials, ages, and types, including both precious metal coins and bullion coins.
Here at Caudle Coin and Currency, we carry a wide variety of coins, many of which have been graded using the Sheldon Scale. This grading process aims to estimate the coin’s value as a collector’s item, providing a standardized and objective evaluation that contributes to the numismatic understanding of the coin’s worth, and is an important component of transparency in the world of coin collecting.