The Sheldon Scale is the primary system in use for determining the grade of a coin. The possible grades range from Poor-1 to Mint State-70 (usually expressed as MS-70). Every possible number in between is theoretically available for describing a coin's state of preservation, but in practice only certain points of the scale are used (such as EF-45, but ...
Full Article: The Sheldon Scale for Grading Coins - Susan's Coins Blog
The Sheldon Scale is the primary system in use for determining the grade of a coin. The possible grades range from Poor-1 to Mint State-70 (usually expressed as MS-70). Every possible number in between is theoretically available for describing a coin's state of preservation, but in practice only certain points of the scale are used (such as EF-45, but
"Are you enjoying the coin show? You've been doing a lot of walking around." Our numismatist's friend sighed. "I'm disappointed. I don't see a lot of the Morgan dollars I'm after. There are some really high-end expensive coins, and then there are a lot of the lower-graded coins that are perfectly OK. But there's nothing in between, which is what I want." ...
Full Article: What's a B Set? - NumisMaster
One thing I observed has not changed since the first class I taught in Colorado Springs, Colo., with Charles Hoskins back in 1973. I saw students using all kinds of methods to view coins.
A few would lay the coin flat on the table and bend over it with their magnifier blocking most of the light needed to see the coin. Others would hold the coin and magnifier practically at arms length while trying to see the image in the lens almost a foot away from their eye ...
Full Article: What's the Proper Way to Examine a Coin? - NumisMaster
Number One on my list is the TV shopping show dealers and premium "Mints" out there that sell nice looking commemorative coins for premium prices, but that have no value beyond their bullion (if they have any) when you must eventually sell them. Some of these "Mints" sell on the TV and cable-based shopping channels, and the prices they charge when they do sell genuine U.S. Mint coins are nearly always several times higher than the price the coins would cost from a normal coin dealer! ...
Full Article: Top 5 Worst Coin Investments - Susan's Coins Blog
The idea that the 1962 Franklin half dollar would be selling for anything more than a slight premium would be stunning to most people who had the chance to acquire one when it was new. Of course, the fact that those very same people did not save the 1962 at the time of issue is probably a large part of the reason why the 1962 today is a better date in top grades and one of the keys in MS-65 grade with full bell lines.
To understand why this is so, we should consider the situation in 1962 ...
Full Article: Melting Attractive Option for Franklin - NumisMaster
If you are looking for some true hidden values, the place to look might well be the Coronet Head $10 gold pieces from New Orleans. Gold eagles from anywhere tend to be overlooked, but somehow those from New Orleans seem to have a special place in obscurity. It’s probably a result of gold eagles not getting quite the same attention as some other gold denominations, such as double eagles, but it almost certainly has to do at least in part with New Orleans itself as the facility despite some awfully tough coins like the 1854-O and 1856-O double eagles just does not seem to get mentioned a great deal when gold coins are discussed ...
Full Article: New Orleans Gold $10 Began Slowly - NumisMaster
Are you confused about Varieties and Mint Errors? Are you unsure about what varieties NGC recognizes? We will attempt to shed some light on the subject.
A variety is a coin that differs from its basic design type in some distinctive way and is thus differentiated by collectors. The 1960 D/D Sm/Lg Date 1C VP-001 is one such example of a variety. This coin was hubbed first with a large date design, then hubbed again with a ...
Full Article: Variety vs. Mint Error - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
The seven best ways to ruin your coins are things that many beginning collectors do without even thinking about them. I've even seen expert coin dealers spitting on their coins! If you care about protecting the investment you're making in your coin collection, take the time to learn how to properly handle, clean, store, and protect your rare coins.
1. Touch Your Coins... Just touching your coins with your bare fingers is enough ...
Full Article: Top 7 Ways to Ruin Your Coins - Susan's Coins Blog
The list of most historic coins of the United States is one where many can disagree. That is especially true in the case of the 1792 half disme, but as with all other early half dimes, the 1792 is certainly an interesting item.
For those with a love of history and an interest in the early workings of the U.S. Mint it is hard to do better than a collection of the early half dimes as they all tell a story and usually a very interesting one ...
Full Article: Half dimes started with 'half disme' - Numismatic News
