Coin collections are getting more and more popular
these days. A lot of people are already into
collecting coins. You see, this hobby is interesting
and can be considered an excellent pastime. If you
want to start your very own coin collection and you
have no idea where to begin, you should check out the
State Quarters.
What are State Quarters all about? Way back in 1997,
an act was approved and it was called Fifty State
Quarter Program. The program started in that same year
and it is still running up to present (2008). The Act
is quite popular and in fact, it is the most
well-known minted series of coins in the US Mint
history.
In 1998, five latest state quarters were released and
it continued for a period of ten years, so it would
end this year. Every 10 weeks, a quarter is again
released. These quarters are never released for public
use because it is minted.
The program also devised a new and unique method of
issuing coins – the state quarters were issued based
on the year they became part of the US. The state
quarters are minted and you can see George
Washington’s image at the obverse or front side while
on the reverse or back side, you will find a
noteworthy design about the specific state.
The program will end this year (2008) and after that,
the coins will again be designed normally, with the
reverse side having an eagle design.
Don’t you think collecting these coins is worthy?
Since the program will end this year, you still have a
chance to collect such coins. You will find it hard to
obtain the coins once the program is over because the
coins will be considered collectors items already and
it will be a bit costly on your part.
So, what makes these minted coins different?
Each state gets a chance to choose a unique design
which is of great importance to it and the current
governor of the state will determine the process of
selection. Some of the states designate a certain
design committee while other states held contests
among the residents who can come up with a significant
and unique design. Some states post various designs of
the coin in their official site and the residents
simply place online votes and the coin that gets the
highest votes win.
The coins are greatly in demand and besides, these
coins will not be minted ever again. The price of
these state quarters will naturally increase as years
pass and currently, some of the older state coins
amounts to $1 each or even more depending on its
condition. Some coin collectors are also into ‘error
coins’ collection and these flawed coins can cost more
or less $500 each.
The program of State Quarters has definitely gained
extreme popularity in the US and some people are
already into some sort of business revolving on the
said minted coins. Coin holders are popular and coin
collectors can purchase them so that they can keep
their collections in an attractive holder.
Youngsters and old alike can now start collecting
coins through the State Quarters. If you want, you can
inquire at your local state office and see if the
coins are still available. But you must hurry since
the program ends this year.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Choosing the Coin Fit for Your Collections
A collector would choose certain specifications when
it comes to his coin collections. If a coin collector
is new in the business, it is a tradition to start at
the very beginning. You can’t just flip a coin and
decide the result, although, that can be the last
resort. Alright, so down with the real thing. You can
choose your collection based on your preference. Are
you the silver, bronze, or gold type of person? How
old do you like your coin to be? In what period?
Best advice: start at what interests you. Then collect
it by the following:
Date or Period of Time
Coin collectors who see their collection as an
investment would probably prefer coins that are older
than their grandfathers. The more ancient the coin,
the better. Aside from being centuries old, there are
also Revolutionary coins and those that came from
another time in history. Some people would start by
building up decades of coin that embraces Mint
condition.
Country
If you have decided to collect any kind of coin for as
long as it came from different countries worldwide,
that would be tiring but exciting. And it can cost you
a lot. So things wouldn’t be exhausting, you could
start off by collecting coins of your own country.
After that, if you already have enough funds, you
could drop by a coin shop and ask if there are any
coins from outside the country then go to the next or
just gather it in one blow.
Metal
If you’re a beginner, you wouldn’t want to start
collecting silver or gold coins for these are the
kinds of coins that can bore a hold inside your
pocket. Better settle with the lower metal levels
first. Not unless money is not a problem. Usually, the
concern on what kind of metal to choose belongs to the
more professional collector. Aside from being a
challenging collection, it puts you in a lot of risks.
By this time you may already have an idea on where to
start. As the hour glass makes its due, you will
become more interested and selective of the types of
coins that fits your album. You will develop areas
that you may not find in other collectors.
You still need to know some specifications about the
kinds of coins that you will collect.
Details
You have seen an ordinary coin, its features wouldn’t
be different from the old one because typically, new
coins are just patterned from old coins. You have to
inspect if the writing on the coin is still clear. A
coin wherein the smallest details, like feathers or
robe folds, are completely worn away is of little
value.
Toning
Means discoloration or tarnishing, toning can increase
the coin’s value. Believe it or not, if a blue tone is
present on a silver coin, it can be very desirable.
Toning has an effect on a coin’s details for it can
accent its faded features. For as long as the tone of
the coin wouldn’t turn out uneven, there’s no reason
to reject it.
Wear n’ tear
If you have been in coin shops that are offering
bargain coins, it might be because it has been into a
lot of circulations and the market has already
rejected it. You will notice certain kinds of
scratches an even scarring that is caused by
chemicals. Scratches can be acceptable but scarring is
a no-no. Chemical scarring can be related to
corrosion, pits, etc. As much as possible, make your
coin collections spotless.
it comes to his coin collections. If a coin collector
is new in the business, it is a tradition to start at
the very beginning. You can’t just flip a coin and
decide the result, although, that can be the last
resort. Alright, so down with the real thing. You can
choose your collection based on your preference. Are
you the silver, bronze, or gold type of person? How
old do you like your coin to be? In what period?
Best advice: start at what interests you. Then collect
it by the following:
Date or Period of Time
Coin collectors who see their collection as an
investment would probably prefer coins that are older
than their grandfathers. The more ancient the coin,
the better. Aside from being centuries old, there are
also Revolutionary coins and those that came from
another time in history. Some people would start by
building up decades of coin that embraces Mint
condition.
Country
If you have decided to collect any kind of coin for as
long as it came from different countries worldwide,
that would be tiring but exciting. And it can cost you
a lot. So things wouldn’t be exhausting, you could
start off by collecting coins of your own country.
After that, if you already have enough funds, you
could drop by a coin shop and ask if there are any
coins from outside the country then go to the next or
just gather it in one blow.
Metal
If you’re a beginner, you wouldn’t want to start
collecting silver or gold coins for these are the
kinds of coins that can bore a hold inside your
pocket. Better settle with the lower metal levels
first. Not unless money is not a problem. Usually, the
concern on what kind of metal to choose belongs to the
more professional collector. Aside from being a
challenging collection, it puts you in a lot of risks.
By this time you may already have an idea on where to
start. As the hour glass makes its due, you will
become more interested and selective of the types of
coins that fits your album. You will develop areas
that you may not find in other collectors.
You still need to know some specifications about the
kinds of coins that you will collect.
Details
You have seen an ordinary coin, its features wouldn’t
be different from the old one because typically, new
coins are just patterned from old coins. You have to
inspect if the writing on the coin is still clear. A
coin wherein the smallest details, like feathers or
robe folds, are completely worn away is of little
value.
Toning
Means discoloration or tarnishing, toning can increase
the coin’s value. Believe it or not, if a blue tone is
present on a silver coin, it can be very desirable.
Toning has an effect on a coin’s details for it can
accent its faded features. For as long as the tone of
the coin wouldn’t turn out uneven, there’s no reason
to reject it.
Wear n’ tear
If you have been in coin shops that are offering
bargain coins, it might be because it has been into a
lot of circulations and the market has already
rejected it. You will notice certain kinds of
scratches an even scarring that is caused by
chemicals. Scratches can be acceptable but scarring is
a no-no. Chemical scarring can be related to
corrosion, pits, etc. As much as possible, make your
coin collections spotless.
Finding Rare and Collectible Coins
Coin collecting was started only as a hobby for most people, however you can hear what other people say (or you probably have heard yourself) about news of people cashing in on their old coin; and that encouraged more people to go on a coin-collecting streak. If you are one of those people who want to invest in coins, here are several places to start your collection.
Coin Shops:
Many shop owners are dealers that know a lot of information about coins and are selling coins too. These coin shops are a valuable place to find and gain more information about coins and coin collecting. These coin shops can be costly, though, as they are anticipating selling their coins for a profit. With enough knowledge and/or having someone who know a great deal about coin collecting at your side, you can get great prices for your coins.
Coin Shows:
There are times when your local mall will have an exhibit from several coin dealers and that will let you see all of the collections and allow you to buy some coins for a lower price due to the competition. You will probably also see several new coins that are available and suitable for your collection.
These coins shows are great not only for sellers and buyers but also for coin enthusiasts who want to see rare and hard to find coins.
Mail Orders/Web Sites:
There are thousands of dealers worldwide and most of them have websites that allow buy coins and pay for them through mail order or through any online payment system such as Paypal. You should do your research on these companies and read their terms carefully to make sure that you can get your money back when you have a problem with the coin you purchased and/or received.
For every legitimate web site, there are may be hundreds of fake web sites that are just attempting to get your money. You should always ask for feedback from previous customers before paying anybody online and remember not to give out any password or pin numbers.
Flea Markets:
It would be surprising place to find rare coins at a flea market, but stranger things have happened. These places have different ideas about pricing which is due to their lack of understanding of how a coin should be priced. You will find overpriced coins but if you are lucky you might find a rare coin somewhere in those stacks of coins that will make it worth your while.
Flea markets sellers are usually looking for a quick sell and would probably give you discounts when you buy their items in bulk. Try to buy other items and get your coins added as a bonus.
Auctions:
If you are looking to invest in really, really rare coins, the best place to go would be an auction. Auctions are the only place where you can find people selling their rarest and most expensive coins. Several of these auctions are happening online at the same time and most of the sellers are looking for the highest bidders. You must be aware and warned that some of these sellers are frauds and will not make the price you pay worthwhile. You should try to learn more about these coins and their worth before trying to buy one from an online auction.
Other Coin Collectors:
Coin collectors usually have duplicate coins that they are willing to sell for a price lower than its market value. The only problem is it is hard to find another coin collector that collects the same coins as you. The best places to look are online groups, forums and (if you have one) local groups.
Other coin collectors are the best people to turn into when you want to start your own collection. They can offer you tips, discounts and some might even be tempted to give you some of their coins to kick-start your collection.
Coin collecting is like any other investment the value will fluctuate: they may depreciate in value and/or gain value at any time. The best way to profit in coin collecting is keep updated with the news and the prices of the coins. This will not only help you in not being fooled by merchants but by learning how to price a coin even without a price list.
Coin Shops:
Many shop owners are dealers that know a lot of information about coins and are selling coins too. These coin shops are a valuable place to find and gain more information about coins and coin collecting. These coin shops can be costly, though, as they are anticipating selling their coins for a profit. With enough knowledge and/or having someone who know a great deal about coin collecting at your side, you can get great prices for your coins.
Coin Shows:
There are times when your local mall will have an exhibit from several coin dealers and that will let you see all of the collections and allow you to buy some coins for a lower price due to the competition. You will probably also see several new coins that are available and suitable for your collection.
These coins shows are great not only for sellers and buyers but also for coin enthusiasts who want to see rare and hard to find coins.
Mail Orders/Web Sites:
There are thousands of dealers worldwide and most of them have websites that allow buy coins and pay for them through mail order or through any online payment system such as Paypal. You should do your research on these companies and read their terms carefully to make sure that you can get your money back when you have a problem with the coin you purchased and/or received.
For every legitimate web site, there are may be hundreds of fake web sites that are just attempting to get your money. You should always ask for feedback from previous customers before paying anybody online and remember not to give out any password or pin numbers.
Flea Markets:
It would be surprising place to find rare coins at a flea market, but stranger things have happened. These places have different ideas about pricing which is due to their lack of understanding of how a coin should be priced. You will find overpriced coins but if you are lucky you might find a rare coin somewhere in those stacks of coins that will make it worth your while.
Flea markets sellers are usually looking for a quick sell and would probably give you discounts when you buy their items in bulk. Try to buy other items and get your coins added as a bonus.
Auctions:
If you are looking to invest in really, really rare coins, the best place to go would be an auction. Auctions are the only place where you can find people selling their rarest and most expensive coins. Several of these auctions are happening online at the same time and most of the sellers are looking for the highest bidders. You must be aware and warned that some of these sellers are frauds and will not make the price you pay worthwhile. You should try to learn more about these coins and their worth before trying to buy one from an online auction.
Other Coin Collectors:
Coin collectors usually have duplicate coins that they are willing to sell for a price lower than its market value. The only problem is it is hard to find another coin collector that collects the same coins as you. The best places to look are online groups, forums and (if you have one) local groups.
Other coin collectors are the best people to turn into when you want to start your own collection. They can offer you tips, discounts and some might even be tempted to give you some of their coins to kick-start your collection.
Coin collecting is like any other investment the value will fluctuate: they may depreciate in value and/or gain value at any time. The best way to profit in coin collecting is keep updated with the news and the prices of the coins. This will not only help you in not being fooled by merchants but by learning how to price a coin even without a price list.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Perfect Time to Sell Coins
When is the perfect time to sell coins? This may be a dumb question if asked of a coin collector however timing really does make a difference. There are times when a collector wakes up in the morning and suddenly makes a decision to sell his precious collection of coins. There are also times that a collector needs to give up his coin collections due for personal reasons and the idea of selling his precious coins may be the most difficult part. No matter what the reasons are, it is a fact that this does occur in the life of a coin collector.
There are many reasons why coin collectors sell their coins - there are coin collectors who are dealers at as well. Selling coins is their option and they may use it to generate income so that they can acquire other coins that they like.
Some collectors travel in search of a coin they want and during that travel, they may encounter coins that may not be qualified for their own collection but they buy them anyway. Upon returning home, they sell the coins they have purchased and make use of the money to buy the coins they are looking for.
There are also coin collectors who gather coins not just as their hobbies; these coin collectors use the coins as their source of income. They make a living from selling the coins that they collect. Sometimes they sell the coins to other collectors and price them higher than the usual price of the coins and this is appropriate if the collector owns limited edition or rare coins.
On the other hand, some collectors sell their coins because of other factors. They may sell coins because of personal reasons. Collectors sometimes decide to “give away” their collection because they no longer have any option but sell their coins. This is the most difficult situation for coin collectors as they often value their coins and as much as possible would not want to give them away - the coins may be memorabilia or may have sentimental value to the collector.
Once a collector has decided to sell his coins, he must consider if it is really the right time to sell the coins. Is the collector ready to give away his coins? Is the coin at higher price now? Will it do well and will he benefit from selling his coins? These factors should always be considered.
There are other options available to determine where a coin collector could sell his coins. He may want to sell the coins at auctions. Many people now prefer the option of putting their belongings up for auction and this is not limited to coin collections.
There is also a higher chance of having the coin sold at a higher price since auctions include bidding processes. Buyers may bid for a higher price especially if the coin being sold is of rare quality and has a higher value.
A collector may also want to put up a website to advertise the coins that he would like to sell. The Internet is the easiest way for collectors to search for coins. In addition, putting the coin on the Internet will make the selling an easier task. The collector may put up his own website and place the pictures of his coins and some brief descriptions on it. He should also note how much he is willing sell them for.
There are other options too: the seller may want to do a dealer-to-dealer negotiation. He can go directly to coin dealers and sell his coins. The dealers then can sell the coins that they purchased to other dealers.
It is important to compare prices between one dealer and another as there is always a chance that one dealer may buy the coins at a higher price than other dealer. It is wise to shop for dealers and then decide which you one you want to deal with.
It is also recommended that collectors who decide to sell their coins use a coin grading service. It is very important so that the seller not end up a loser when he sells his coins. By using a grading service, the seller will be able to set a price that is based on the assessment made by the grading service who will determine the actual value of the coins.
Most importantly, coin collector should not clean their coins once they have decided to sell them. If they do, the value of the coins will depreciate.
There are many reasons why coin collectors sell their coins - there are coin collectors who are dealers at as well. Selling coins is their option and they may use it to generate income so that they can acquire other coins that they like.
Some collectors travel in search of a coin they want and during that travel, they may encounter coins that may not be qualified for their own collection but they buy them anyway. Upon returning home, they sell the coins they have purchased and make use of the money to buy the coins they are looking for.
There are also coin collectors who gather coins not just as their hobbies; these coin collectors use the coins as their source of income. They make a living from selling the coins that they collect. Sometimes they sell the coins to other collectors and price them higher than the usual price of the coins and this is appropriate if the collector owns limited edition or rare coins.
On the other hand, some collectors sell their coins because of other factors. They may sell coins because of personal reasons. Collectors sometimes decide to “give away” their collection because they no longer have any option but sell their coins. This is the most difficult situation for coin collectors as they often value their coins and as much as possible would not want to give them away - the coins may be memorabilia or may have sentimental value to the collector.
Once a collector has decided to sell his coins, he must consider if it is really the right time to sell the coins. Is the collector ready to give away his coins? Is the coin at higher price now? Will it do well and will he benefit from selling his coins? These factors should always be considered.
There are other options available to determine where a coin collector could sell his coins. He may want to sell the coins at auctions. Many people now prefer the option of putting their belongings up for auction and this is not limited to coin collections.
There is also a higher chance of having the coin sold at a higher price since auctions include bidding processes. Buyers may bid for a higher price especially if the coin being sold is of rare quality and has a higher value.
A collector may also want to put up a website to advertise the coins that he would like to sell. The Internet is the easiest way for collectors to search for coins. In addition, putting the coin on the Internet will make the selling an easier task. The collector may put up his own website and place the pictures of his coins and some brief descriptions on it. He should also note how much he is willing sell them for.
There are other options too: the seller may want to do a dealer-to-dealer negotiation. He can go directly to coin dealers and sell his coins. The dealers then can sell the coins that they purchased to other dealers.
It is important to compare prices between one dealer and another as there is always a chance that one dealer may buy the coins at a higher price than other dealer. It is wise to shop for dealers and then decide which you one you want to deal with.
It is also recommended that collectors who decide to sell their coins use a coin grading service. It is very important so that the seller not end up a loser when he sells his coins. By using a grading service, the seller will be able to set a price that is based on the assessment made by the grading service who will determine the actual value of the coins.
Most importantly, coin collector should not clean their coins once they have decided to sell them. If they do, the value of the coins will depreciate.
Coin Collecting 101: What Type of Coin Should You Collect?
Coin collecting is a fun hobby to start and the thrill of hunting for old coins is enough for many people to continue doing it. Other people consider coin collecting an investment, something they can receive a profit from. If you are one of those people, then you can find several types of coins in this article that will help you determine what others are looking for.
Most coin collectors will look for only a specific kind of coin that will make their collection more valuable and interesting to buyers. Others are collecting for sentimentality and are looking more at the coin’s uniqueness.
Series collectors are those looking for a series of coins that mark every year and every design change made in that coin.
Type collectors are those people who are looking to get one of each coin where there were/are changes made.
Ancient coin collectors are those people looking for coins spanning the years 650 BC – 450 AD. This is the time when coins were invented and there were silver, gold and bronze versions made. It also marks the time when Roman emperors were the rulers and most of them feature famous Roman emperors, Roman towns, or gods.
Token collectors are those who are looking for different kinds of tokens that were used in exchange for real money when there was a lack of coins. These tokens were used as local currency even if the government had not given permission for them to be used.
Coins are also graded. A coin’s grading depends on its condition and the price of the coin will rely heavily on that grade. It is important for a coin collector to know how to grade a coin to make sure that he is not swindled by individuals looking for a quick profit.
“Uncirculated” coins are those coins that are not showing any wear and tear or to referred to as “in mint condition”. A mint state (MS) grading depends on a coin’s luster, contact marks, hair lines and overall appeal. A coin can have a grade ranging from MS-60 (dull luster) to a flawless MS-70. Although MS-70 is considered unobtainable, a grade of MS-65 and higher will make a coin’s price shoot up.
Circulated coins are more forgiving, they do not take into consideration the amount of scratches and dirt a coin has gathered along the years. Grades for circulated coins will vary. AU (about “uncirculated”), EF (extremely fine), VF (very fine), F (fine), VG (very good), G (good), AG (about good), F-2 (fair) and P (poor) are used as indication of how much a coin is worth.
These grades are dependent on a circulated coin’s luster, visible wear, design elements and visibility of letters and numerals. Unlike “uncirculated” coin’s grades, these grades do not dramatically lower a coin’s value. This is wonderful for people who are looking just to complete a collection and do not care about a coin’s mint condition.
Pricing of a coin will usually be determined by a coin’s supply and demand. Very low supply and very high demand will make a coin’s price higher; however, high supplies of the coins will depreciate a coin’s value.
Demand is usually established by coin dealers where they take into consideration the number of people wanting to buy or sell the coins. Once a coin becomes difficult to find, coin dealers will usually make its price higher so that people are inclined to sell extra copies of their coins.
Grading and pricing a coin usually takes a lot of experience to master. Although there are several tips and guidelines to look for in grading a coin, only professional dealers have the final say on how much a coin is worth. It does not hurt to know this grading is done and why your coin was graded differently from what you thought.
Coin collecting is not really about investment, it should be a fun and thrilling hobby. While the overall goal of a coin collector is to complete a set of coins, learning what to look for in a coin is important to make sure that no one can take advantage of your need to complete a particular set.
Most coin collectors will look for only a specific kind of coin that will make their collection more valuable and interesting to buyers. Others are collecting for sentimentality and are looking more at the coin’s uniqueness.
Series collectors are those looking for a series of coins that mark every year and every design change made in that coin.
Type collectors are those people who are looking to get one of each coin where there were/are changes made.
Ancient coin collectors are those people looking for coins spanning the years 650 BC – 450 AD. This is the time when coins were invented and there were silver, gold and bronze versions made. It also marks the time when Roman emperors were the rulers and most of them feature famous Roman emperors, Roman towns, or gods.
Token collectors are those who are looking for different kinds of tokens that were used in exchange for real money when there was a lack of coins. These tokens were used as local currency even if the government had not given permission for them to be used.
Coins are also graded. A coin’s grading depends on its condition and the price of the coin will rely heavily on that grade. It is important for a coin collector to know how to grade a coin to make sure that he is not swindled by individuals looking for a quick profit.
“Uncirculated” coins are those coins that are not showing any wear and tear or to referred to as “in mint condition”. A mint state (MS) grading depends on a coin’s luster, contact marks, hair lines and overall appeal. A coin can have a grade ranging from MS-60 (dull luster) to a flawless MS-70. Although MS-70 is considered unobtainable, a grade of MS-65 and higher will make a coin’s price shoot up.
Circulated coins are more forgiving, they do not take into consideration the amount of scratches and dirt a coin has gathered along the years. Grades for circulated coins will vary. AU (about “uncirculated”), EF (extremely fine), VF (very fine), F (fine), VG (very good), G (good), AG (about good), F-2 (fair) and P (poor) are used as indication of how much a coin is worth.
These grades are dependent on a circulated coin’s luster, visible wear, design elements and visibility of letters and numerals. Unlike “uncirculated” coin’s grades, these grades do not dramatically lower a coin’s value. This is wonderful for people who are looking just to complete a collection and do not care about a coin’s mint condition.
Pricing of a coin will usually be determined by a coin’s supply and demand. Very low supply and very high demand will make a coin’s price higher; however, high supplies of the coins will depreciate a coin’s value.
Demand is usually established by coin dealers where they take into consideration the number of people wanting to buy or sell the coins. Once a coin becomes difficult to find, coin dealers will usually make its price higher so that people are inclined to sell extra copies of their coins.
Grading and pricing a coin usually takes a lot of experience to master. Although there are several tips and guidelines to look for in grading a coin, only professional dealers have the final say on how much a coin is worth. It does not hurt to know this grading is done and why your coin was graded differently from what you thought.
Coin collecting is not really about investment, it should be a fun and thrilling hobby. While the overall goal of a coin collector is to complete a set of coins, learning what to look for in a coin is important to make sure that no one can take advantage of your need to complete a particular set.
What Are Factors That Affect The Value Of Coins?
When one is just starting in coin collecting, often the first question is: “What is the value of the coin?: and the answer is that the coin will cost as much as you are willing to pay for it and the amount can vary considerably. For instance, a coin dealer’s offer can be much less than a coin collector that certainly wants your coin badly to add in his collection.
The following are factors that can influence the true value of a coin.
1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.
2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.
3. Bullion value. A coin's precious metal content can determine its value. A platinum, silver or gold coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.
4. Demand. There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.
For instance, “1916 D dimes” are much more abundant than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.
Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:
1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.
Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.
2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.
3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as "The Red Book" to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.
You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.
Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.
Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Have fun!
The following are factors that can influence the true value of a coin.
1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.
2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.
3. Bullion value. A coin's precious metal content can determine its value. A platinum, silver or gold coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.
4. Demand. There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.
For instance, “1916 D dimes” are much more abundant than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.
Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:
1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.
Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.
2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.
3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as "The Red Book" to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.
You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.
Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.
Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Have fun!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Why is a Coin Grading Service Important?
Coin collecting has been a very popular hobby to many people of all ages. The marketing of coins has expanded widely and because of this wide the market prices of coins has varied immensely.
Before, the coin market was limited to a small number of collectors and dealers. At that time coins were priced in simpler terms. Since the market has expanded, dealers have been very inconsistent with the prices they set for the coins so that became the time when the need for a standard scale arose. That is where the coin grading service entered the scene.
Coin grading services are able to provide services that determine the standard practices so important in marketing. Any collector who sees the wide market of coins will see the importance of a grading service. There are unscrupulous dealers that over grade the coins that they sell and collectors need to be aware of this.
Coin grading services have standard scales for every coin available on the market. One benefit grading provides, is that coins will be assessed fairly and accurately. Antique coins and rare ones will be scaled depending on their origin, quality and the purpose for which they were released.
A coin collector may need to use a coin grading service when buying a coin so that he is able to check the authenticity of the coin and if the coin is priced fairly. Sellers, on the other hand, use the grading service to check if they can generate income based on the price they have set on the specific coin. This practice will also ensure that the prices dealers set are not too high and are close to the actual value of the coin.
Many collectors are victims of fraud - especially when buying rare coins. A grading service will ensure that the coin is not a counterfeit one and this will prevent fraud in every negotiation.
Coins values often change through time. The grading service will ensure that the coin will have the updated price set for it; or determine if a coin’s value has depreciated, depending on factors like deterioration of the appearance of the coin.
Some of the credible grading services are the PCGS, PCI, Anacs and the NGC. These services have very good records and are known to provide valuable and helpful services to consumers with consistent and accurate results in grading.
They seldom (or never) have been reported to be over grading. They are also known for their expertise in checking the authenticity of a coin with accuracy. Other important factors are also considered by these services such as detecting any marks and problems with the coins and adjustments in the dates and mintmarks. Coin grading services are also able to detect if there was toning, cleaning and repair that were made on the coins that were graded.
Coin grading services can also help if there is fraud and/or illegal activities being practiced by dealers. They have hotline numbers available so that consumers can call and report any illegal act. This helps to ensure that consumers are safe.
Grading services can also guarantee the authenticity of the coin. Services like the ones offered by PCGS, grading is done by at least three experts in accordance with the standards set in their policies. If a consumer thinks that his coin over-graded, he can return the coin and have it re-graded to ensure that all information given was fair and accurate.
Coin grading services provide guarantees of their grades, and unlike dealers, they do not provide this benefit. Dealers are only able to provide opinions on grades, they are unable to guarantee them.
As coin collectors, people need to ensure that they receive a fair for coins – whether buying or selling. Grading services are there to help and assist these collectors and the collectors need to be aware of the benefits of grading services so that they do not rely on opinions given by dealers.
When choosing a grading service, you must always check the credibility of that service. This may be done by checking the Internet to verify information regarding a certain coin grading service. Awareness is a very important factor needed to ensure safety among coin collectors.
Before, the coin market was limited to a small number of collectors and dealers. At that time coins were priced in simpler terms. Since the market has expanded, dealers have been very inconsistent with the prices they set for the coins so that became the time when the need for a standard scale arose. That is where the coin grading service entered the scene.
Coin grading services are able to provide services that determine the standard practices so important in marketing. Any collector who sees the wide market of coins will see the importance of a grading service. There are unscrupulous dealers that over grade the coins that they sell and collectors need to be aware of this.
Coin grading services have standard scales for every coin available on the market. One benefit grading provides, is that coins will be assessed fairly and accurately. Antique coins and rare ones will be scaled depending on their origin, quality and the purpose for which they were released.
A coin collector may need to use a coin grading service when buying a coin so that he is able to check the authenticity of the coin and if the coin is priced fairly. Sellers, on the other hand, use the grading service to check if they can generate income based on the price they have set on the specific coin. This practice will also ensure that the prices dealers set are not too high and are close to the actual value of the coin.
Many collectors are victims of fraud - especially when buying rare coins. A grading service will ensure that the coin is not a counterfeit one and this will prevent fraud in every negotiation.
Coins values often change through time. The grading service will ensure that the coin will have the updated price set for it; or determine if a coin’s value has depreciated, depending on factors like deterioration of the appearance of the coin.
Some of the credible grading services are the PCGS, PCI, Anacs and the NGC. These services have very good records and are known to provide valuable and helpful services to consumers with consistent and accurate results in grading.
They seldom (or never) have been reported to be over grading. They are also known for their expertise in checking the authenticity of a coin with accuracy. Other important factors are also considered by these services such as detecting any marks and problems with the coins and adjustments in the dates and mintmarks. Coin grading services are also able to detect if there was toning, cleaning and repair that were made on the coins that were graded.
Coin grading services can also help if there is fraud and/or illegal activities being practiced by dealers. They have hotline numbers available so that consumers can call and report any illegal act. This helps to ensure that consumers are safe.
Grading services can also guarantee the authenticity of the coin. Services like the ones offered by PCGS, grading is done by at least three experts in accordance with the standards set in their policies. If a consumer thinks that his coin over-graded, he can return the coin and have it re-graded to ensure that all information given was fair and accurate.
Coin grading services provide guarantees of their grades, and unlike dealers, they do not provide this benefit. Dealers are only able to provide opinions on grades, they are unable to guarantee them.
As coin collectors, people need to ensure that they receive a fair for coins – whether buying or selling. Grading services are there to help and assist these collectors and the collectors need to be aware of the benefits of grading services so that they do not rely on opinions given by dealers.
When choosing a grading service, you must always check the credibility of that service. This may be done by checking the Internet to verify information regarding a certain coin grading service. Awareness is a very important factor needed to ensure safety among coin collectors.
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