Coin grading fundamentals: wear, luster, and strike

What you’ll practice

Coin grading is all about consistent observation, and this quiz targets the three pillars collectors rely on most: wear, luster, and strike. You’ll learn to connect what you see on the surface to how it impacts a final grade.

Each question uses a 4-option multiple-choice format with no timer, so you can slow down and think through the clues. Before you start, pick the question count you want to play and set the difficulty to match your comfort level—or keep it mixed for a realistic challenge.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Many grading mistakes come from mixing up similar-looking issues, like light wear versus a weak strike, or dull luster versus surface contamination. This quiz helps you build a checklist so you don’t overgrade or undergrade based on a single feature.

How the difficulty is balanced

Mixed difficulty means you’ll get approachable fundamentals alongside tougher edge cases that require comparing multiple signals at once. The set is designed to build confidence early while still testing your consistency as you go.

Quick tips for better answers

• Check the highest points first for wear before judging overall eye appeal
• Separate strike weakness from circulation wear by looking for sharpness in protected areas
• Use luster breaks to spot friction that photos can hide
• Don’t let toning or color alone push you into a higher or lower grade
• Weigh marks, fields, and devices together instead of focusing on one “problem spot”