I started collecting coins in the 1960's.  A beginning coin collector usually starts grading their coins using the written grading descriptions in the Blue or Red Book.
As you become more knowledgable, you will want to buy a coin grading book.
   The First Coin Grading Book I purchased, other dealers did NOT agree with.   I threw that book away after I had purchased my first coin dealer respected coin grading book.
The first coin dealer respected  grading book I used was: Guide to the Grading of United States Coins by Martin R. Brown  & John W. Dunn. Hardbound   (1969) That was a very easy to use book.   The book shows a lined  image of what each Circulated coin grade must show.  Brown & Dunn was NO help on Uncirculated or Proof coin grading.

     The second coin dealer respected grading book I used was: Photograde by James F. Ruddy. (1970).   The 1970 Photograde is no longer the newest edition.  The 1970 Photograde is still a nice cheap hardbound book!  Most if not all, the newer Photograde versions are only softbound editions that do NOT hold up as well!   I still use my 1970 edition in 2008!   Photograde was one of the first coin dealer respected books to use actual pictures of each coin grade for you to compare with your coins.  Using both of these 2 books made Circulated coin grading easier. 
I took the ANA grading course in 1987.
At that seminar, the  third coin dealer respected grading book I used was: Offical ANA grading Standards for United States Coins  Softbound (1987).  The ANA book uses coin grading for all US coins including Proof and Uncirculated coins.   The ANA book pictures 1 of each grade.  More detailed number grades were only shown in written descriptions. 
The ANA used a MARKET grading approach.  A grading problem has a larger effect on a visually important area of the coin.
These 3 books will give you a range what a  professional  should grade  your coin.
 A certified professional grade STRONGLY CONSIDERS the Quality of the original Strike (number awarded) & Reflection from the coin!  (Normal,Cameo, Ultra Cameo,  Prooflike,  DPL, or UDM)   Strike quality comparisons are Not explained well enough for the average user.   Professional grading is from a group concensus.
Most coins do NOT start out a perfect grade 70!
Many poorly struck coins, such as many New Orleans Silver Dollars, would be  lucky if a new minted one would grade a ms62!
Any of these 3 grading books will give you a good start on grading your coins to figure out what they are worth.
If my discussion  helps, Please give me your vote.  
Thanks, Lq