Excellent condition I’m better
A GUIDE
TO THE GRADING OF
UNITED STATES COINS
(ILLUSTRATED)
by
MARTIN R. BROWN
and
JOHN W. DUNN
WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
RACINE, WISCONSIN
1964
No. 9096
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Copyright © 1964, 1963, 1961, 1958
by Martin R. Brown and John W. Dunn
All Rights Reserved
Printed in U.S.A. by Western Printing and Lithographing Company
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PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
A harmonious arrangement between Messrs. Brown and Dunn and the
Whitman Publishing Co. has brought about a new, improved version of
the well-known, standard reference book A GUIDE TO THE GRADING
OF UNITED STATES COINS.
Brief grading descriptions following the Brown and Dunn standards
have been spotted in the Whitman catalogs A GUIDE BOOK OF
UNITED STATES COINS and HANDBOOK OF UNITED STATES
COINS since 1962. Moreover valuations of the coins in those catalogs
have been based on Brown and Dunn gradings.
Now you, the reader has in his hands a larger volume, because the
addition of illustrations has approximately doubled the number of pages.
Another improvement is the binding. Obviously the rounded back and
sewed pages make for easy opening, and the board covers add lasting
qualities so important in a constantly used reference book.
The line drawing illustrations represent the farthest advance in coin
grading to date. Strictly speaking they are diagrams. Placed as they are,
adjacent to each paragraph of word-description, the task of arriving at
the condition of any coin becomes pleasantly accurate. The artist Arthur
Mueller has done an outstanding job of reproducing each United States.
coin type. Important details are accurately located and the portraiture
is surprisingly recognizable. The sizes of all diagrams are larger, in greater
or lesser degree, than the true dimensions of the coins they represent.
This permits a separation of details and somewhat approaches the scale
one would encounter when a coin is viewed under a magnifying glass.
Authors Brown and Dunn have made some clarification changes in the
text. No change in standards has been incorporated in such revisions.
The pages which follow contain the same introductory information con-
tained in the original editions, as well as the appendix on cleaning coins.
We feel certain that the reader will find this new guide to grading one of
the most useful instruments to mature coin collecting yet devised.
Whitman Publishing Co.
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CONTENTS
HALF CENTS-
Liberty Cap, 1793-1797..
Draped Bust, 1800-1808.
Turban Head, 1809-1836.
Braided Hair, 1840-1857.
LARGE CENTS -
Chain Type, 1793.....
Wreath Type, 1793...
Liberty Cap, 1793-1796.
Draped Bust, 1796-1807.
Turban Head, 1808-1814..
Coronet, 1816-1839...
Braided Hair, 1840-1857.
SMALL CENTS-
Flying Eagle, 1856-1858.
Indian Head, 1859-1909.
Lincoln, 1909 to Date.
.38
...41
TWO-CENTS -
Large and Small Motto, 1864-1873....
..46
THREE-CENTS -
Nickel, 1865-1889..
NICKEL FIVE-CENTS-
Shield, 1866-1883.....
...48
.50
Liberty Head, 1883-1912.
..53
Buffalo, 1913-1938..
...56
Jefferson, 1938 to Date...
..59
THREE-CENTS-
Silver, 1851-1873....
..62
HALF DIMES-
Liberty, Flowing Hair, 1794-1795.....
...64
Draped Bust, Small and Heraldic Eagle, 1796-1805..
..66
Capped Bust, 1829-1837.....
..68
Liberty Seated (All Varieties), 1837-1873...
.70
DIMES
Draped Bust, Small and Heraldic Eagle, 1796-1807..
.73
Capped Bust, 1809-1837....
.75
Liberty Seated (All Varieties), 1837-1891.
..77
Barber, 1892-1916...
..81
Winged Liberty (Mercury), 1916-1945..
.83
Roosevelt, 1946 to Date....
...85
TWENTY-CENT -
Liberty Seated, 1875-1878....
...89
QUARTER DOLLARS
Draped Bust, Small Eagle, 1796....
..91
Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle, 1804-1807....
..93
Capped Bust, 1815-1828...
...95
Capped Bust, 1831-1838...
...97
Liberty Seated (All Varieties), 1838-1891.
..99
Barber, 1892-1916.....
.102
Standing Liberty, 1916-1917
..104
Standing Liberty, 1917-1924...
..107
Standing Liberty, 1925-1930.
..109
.110
Washington, 1932....
Washington, 1934 to Date..