Grading can raise price, speed a sale, and widen buyer interest—but it can also cost time and money you may not need to spend. Our Coin Grading Guide offers a clear, simple checklist to help you decide quickly. Use the steps below to learn when to submit for third-party grading, when to sell raw, and when to get an in-shop opinion at Collectors Coin & Jewelry before you sell your coin.
Learn the 70-Point Grading Scale Before You Coin Sell
Start with the basics so your decisions have a framework. A Coin Grading Guide explains the 70-point scale, which runs from Poor-1 to Mint State-70. Each step reflects the remaining detail and the amount of visible wear. Study a short guide with photos and practice on low-value coins. You don’t need to hit an exact grade—just identify a range such as Circulated, About Uncirculated, or Mint State. Higher ranges often benefit from third-party grading since buyers pay more for verified condition, while lower ranges may sell well raw, especially when market liquidity is high.
Once you speak the grading language, every next step gets easier and faster.
Check Key Dates and Mint Marks That Drive Value
Coin Grading Guide: Rarity matters as much as condition. A key date or a scarce mint mark can multiply value before anyone even looks at the surfaces. Use a 10× loupe to check the area near the date and under the wreath or eagle. Letters like “S,” “D,” or “CC” can change price quickly. If you find a key date, grading can protect authenticity and lock that status in a transparent holder. For common years without a special mint mark, the grading fee may not add enough value to be worth it.
Combine rarity and grade to spot coins most likely to earn a strong premium.
Inspect Luster, Strike, and Surface Preservation
Eye appeal sells coins. Tilt each piece under a lamp and watch the mint luster move across the fields. Strong, even luster is a good sign in higher grades. Next, check for a sharp strike in hair, feathers, and shield lines. Look for contact marks in open areas and on the cheek. Fewer marks mean better surface preservation and a higher chance at condition rarity. Make quick notes like “great luster, light cheek mark” to keep thoughts straight. If the coin looks beautiful to you, it will likely look beautiful to buyers, too.
A short, careful inspection can be the difference between a routine price and a standout result.
Weigh Melt Value Against Numismatic Premium
Coin Grading Guide: Do the math before paying any grading fee. Some coins sit near melt value, especially worn silver without collector demand. In such cases, third-party grading may not increase the price enough to cover the cost. Estimate melt value using weight and fineness, then compare to recent sales of graded examples. If the numismatic premium is strong and consistent, grading may boost your total. If the premium is thin, save the fee and sell raw. This step helps protect your profit when planning a larger coin sale of mixed pieces.
Let numbers guide you so emotion does not steal your margin.
Choose Third-Party Grading or an In Shop Evaluation
You have a few smart paths forward. You can send top candidates to a respected authentication service for third-party grading. The result comes sealed in a transparent holder with an ID, which builds trust and improves market liquidity. Our Coin Grading Guide can help you decide which coins are worth submitting. You can also bring everything to Collectors Coin & Jewelry for an in-shop evaluation. Our team helps you sort winners from maybes, so you only spend a grading fee when it adds value. Many sellers do both in sequence: get our quick review first, then submit only the coins that will benefit most.
Right coin, right service, right time—that is how you protect value and your schedule.
Quick Checklist You Can Run in Two Minutes
- Rarity: key date or scarce mint mark present
- Condition: strong mint luster, sharp strike, few marks
- Math: likely premium exceeds the grading fee
- Trust: third-party grading would improve buyer confidence
- Plan: auction or retail sale needs certification
Circle your answers. If you score three or more “yes” marks, grading deserves a closer look. If not, a direct, same-day offer may be better today.
You now have a simple, repeatable process. You learned the grading scale, checked for key date and mint mark rarity, evaluated luster and strike, ran the melt versus premium math, and picked the best path. Those habits remove guesswork, protect profit, and make your next Coin sell smoother.
Bring your coins to Collectors Coin & Jewelry in Old Bridge or Lynbrook for a fast, friendly evaluation. We will recommend third-party grading when it adds value, or make a competitive offer on the spot when a direct sale makes more sense. You will see each calculation, understand any grading fee tradeoffs, and leave with a clear plan.
Ready to find out which coins deserve grading—and which should sell today? Visit Collectors Coin & Jewelry for a free in shop evaluation and turn careful choices into stronger results.