The standards do not seek to influence or establish current grading practices, but to report, clarify, and explain them. They explain technical grading, the foundation upon which coin grading began, and today's real-world market grading practices. The purpose is to help coin collectors, professional and amateur, communicate with each other regarding the condition of the coins they are talking about. The topics are the importance and evolution of grading, basic and advanced grading techniques, circulation strike coins, proof coins, and special aspects of grading. Then the guide focuses on details of each type of US coin from half cents to double eagles and commenoratives, with illustrations pointing out features affecting the grade. A dictionary of grading terms concludes. Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)