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Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointing pictures & book
Review: Almost useless for AU and MS grade coins. Very, very small and poor quality b/w pictures of coins. Dissapointing as it could have been great if high resolution pictures were used and enlarged. Also, not including pictures of MS60-67 grades truely limits this book.
Rating: 
Summary: An absolutely essential primer on rare gold and silver coins
Review: As the owner of a popular Internet rare coin store, I receive many e-mails requesting information on the current value of gold coins and silver dollars that have been inherited, found in lock boxes, or given as gifts many years ago. Almost all are described as being in "good" or "almost new" condition. The majority of those who seek information know very little about their coin, even what denomination or type of coin they have. Many want to think their coin is new, but the majority of these coins are not. There can be a huge difference in the sales price of a coin based on small differences in condition. "Photograde" is the first reference we provide whenever someone is not sure about what coin they own or what "grade" that coin may be. James F. Ruddy did a magnificent job in carefully assembling black and white photos of all United States minted coins from the late 1700's to the present day. "Photograde" was first published in 1970 and has had several revisions. In 1972, "Photograde" was designated as an official grading guide by the American Numismatic Association. It is a superb reference for new and experienced rare coin collectors alike. These photos are much more than simple reference pictures, however. For each specific coin type, up to seven pictures are used to demonstrate the subtle wear differences between minimally graded coins and those considered "About Uncirculated." Coins graded About Uncirculated (or better) normally are worth significantly more than lower graded coins. To those who are not familiar with the values of rare coins, using the pictures in this book to "match" the condition of their own coin with the picture goes a long way in solving the question, "is this coin worth as much as I hope it is?" In addition, "Photograde" provides excellent information on the current coin grading "scale," oversight of commercial coin grading services, and important information to consider when thinking about purchasing rare coins. This is an easily understandable reference which should be alongside every coin collector's work area. It carries my strongest possible recommendation for inclusion in your "Top Three" purchases of books on coins and rare coin collecting. A definite "Five Stars!"
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Example of Numismatic Literture
Review: Ever since the invention of the Sheldon Scale in 1949, our hobby's first numerical coin grading system, the complex and confusing art of coin grading started to become more logical and clear. Originally, this grading method was only intended for valuing our country's first cents minted from 1793-1814, but instead was gradually applied to all US coins. Even though popular, and improved into the modern ANA grading system we have today, it isn't flawless. It still can be quite frustrating, no less argumentative at times when we have our own opinion of what each grade should look like. This is where the book, Photograde has been an invaluable help for straightening out this touchy side of the hobby, even before numerical grading was fully used. From the first time I bought this book from Amazon.com, I have regarded it as one of my wisest purchases of numismatic books. Its many black and white photos gives the reader a visual aid for grading a particular US coin along with helpful descriptions. Sadly though, it does not include photos for the uncirculated grades as they are very difficult to photograph accurately. Nevertheless, in addition to grading, it also has many excellent chapters about the minting process, cleaning coins, storage, authenticating, etc. They make for very interesting reading. I get a kick out of how they list several ways of retoning (or recoloring) coins that have desirable surfaces. One way they mention is to fry coins made from nickel in a frying pan mixed with a little cooking grease! Bye George! there is even a little humor stirred in! This is indeed a book that beginners and veteran coin collectors will use till the binding falls apart!
Rating: 
Summary: Good for the beginner
Review: If your a beginner at coin collecting this may be okay for you.
This book has hard to view pictures ( not photographs ) of the coins being used as samples. This alone can confuse the beginner,as imperfections appear on the pictures and may be mistaken for the actual coin. The written descriptions and arrows point to too specific areas. The areas to be scrutinized are much broader than the head of the arrow. A better book for the beginner is HOW TO GRADE U.S. COINS by James L. Halperin.
It uses a color code system that is much easier to follow and the pictures have much better detail. Also type coins for newer coins are NOT dicussed.
Rating:
Summary: All together great!!!
Review: It is accurate! Yesterday I graded a coin VG 8+ in less then a minute it is easy to use and the descriptions are great. The only thing is it is not in color which makes it harder. All together it is a wonder full book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: It is very helpful if all that you have to go off of is the Guide Book of United States Coins 2003: The Official Red Book, And I dont know what Wayne Lukert was thinking but they are real photographs. Gives a nice description of coins and a black and white photograph of every grade. also If you dont have any books on cleaning care and other helpful topics it has page after page about that stuff too.
Rating: 
Summary: Spend coins on this, but find it in F-12 to save money.
Review: This book is exxentially an extended version of the coin conditions/states table that you'll commonly find in coin magazines. This book is much, much more complete and comprehensive as it covers all U.S. coins in circulation (no commemoratives) and has photos and key points of wear for each grade from About Good to About Uncirculated. This edition also has interesting chapters concerning the cleaning of coins and artificial toning. This reference is a great help to inexperienced collectors of USA coins who are building eclectic collections. Don't feel that you need to buy this book new, the grading information is static and, as you will learn much from this book in a short time, it won't be used much thus used copies are likely to be in excellent condition. Four stars because, as the young reviewer below states, color photos are sorely missed in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Spend coins on this, but find it in F-12 to save money.
Review: This book is exxentially an extended version of the coin conditions/states table that you'll commonly find in coin magazines. This book is much, much more complete and comprehensive as it covers all U.S. coins in circulation (no commemoratives) and has photos and key points of wear for each grade from About Good to About Uncirculated. This edition also has interesting chapters concerning the cleaning of coins and artificial toning. This reference is a great help to inexperienced collectors of USA coins who are building eclectic collections. Don't feel that you need to buy this book new, the grading information is static and, as you will learn much from this book in a short time, it won't be used much thus used copies are likely to be in excellent condition. Four stars because, as the young reviewer below states, color photos are sorely missed in this book.
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