One should always handle uncirculated and proof coins wearing white cotton coin gloves. A lupe of no more than 10 X is also needed. A good light is important and remember to tilt the coin often when looking at the fields. I use gloves on all coins. Most silver American Eagles grade quite high and only the rare ones will pay you back the grading fee when you sell them. MS-69 as well as Proof-69 eagles are all over the place and most don't sell for enough to cover the grading fees which include S&H also. If your gold is not in the high mint state range I would not send them into be graded either for you will never recoup the grading fees either. I sent in my grade good 1916-D dimes as well as some scarce Morgan Dollars, the reason was the service would grade them but more important they would also authenticate them as being the real thing. No one so far has faked silver eagles. There are a lot of new grading books out with photo's to help see a coin dealer. I believe Whitman publishing just came out with a new grading book using photo's. www.whitmanbooks.com and also go to www.brooklyngallery.com for they sell coin supplies and have a lot of books at good prices. Hope this helps.