Editing Coin collecting (section)

== Grade and value ==
{{See also|Coin grading}}

[[File:Deutsche Mark Anaglyph 1.jpg|thumb|This [[Deutsche Mark]] coin shows blemishes and rim dents that would detract from its grade in appraisal. {{3D glasses}}]]

In coin collecting, the condition of a coin (its [[Coin grading|grade]]) is key to its value; a high-quality example with minimal wear is often worth many times more than a poor example. Collectors have created [[coin grading|systems]] to describe the overall condition of coins. Any damage, such as wear or [[Cleaning (coinage)|cleaning]], can substantially decrease a coin's value.

By the mid 20th century, with the growing market for rare coins, the [[American Numismatic Association]] helps identify most coins in North America, numbering coins from 1 (poor) to 70 (mint state), and setting aside a separate category for [[proof coinage]]. This system is often shunned by coin experts in Europe and elsewhere, who prefer to use adjectival grades.<ref>{{cite web |last=Herbert |first=Alan |date=20 September 1999 |title=European Collectors Stick With Verbal Grading System |url=http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=1470&universeid=105&type=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614165509/http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=1470&universeid=105&type=1 |archive-date=14 June 2011 |access-date=26 August 2009 |work=Professional Coin Grading Service |publisher=pcgs.com}}</ref> Nevertheless, most grading systems use similar terminology, and values and remain mutually intelligible.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guth |first=Ron |year=2009 |title=German Coin Grading |url=http://www.germancoins.com/grading.html |access-date=26 August 2009 |work=germancoins.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Grading Standards |url=http://www.fleur-de-coin.com/articles/grade_standards.html |access-date=26 August 2009 |work=fleur-de-coin.com}}</ref>