The world's largest and most prestigious coin grading organization has created an amazing, one-of-a-kind guide that reveals its grading and authentication secrets. From the introduction:

"By furnishing a simple yet detailed guide to grading coins, PCGS has made it easy to understand the number that appears on a grading holder. Reading this book will make you an expert."

Jay W. Johnson, Former Director, United States Mint

This book illustrates and explains with precise descriptions and digital images how you can determine the exact condition of a coin. Here is a coin grading volume so complete thatlike its author, PCGSit indeed sets the standard for grading coins. Inside this illustrated guide you will find:

The standards for grading all United States coins, including precise definitions of Mint State and circulated grades

An all-new section on how to grade America's 50-State quarters

The fundamentals of counterfeit detection

The secrets of handling and storing your collection

State-of-the-art techniques used to recognize 'doctored' coins

Over 600 detailed illustrations

This detailed guide is the only book on the market that encompases so many facets of coin grading and counterfeit detection.