Has any one heard of John Wexler and his website to examine coins and give a definitive evaluation? It costs three dollars to examine one side and five dollars to examine both sides. I live out in the country and a 2 hour drive to a coin shop or coin club. I find that the price, even with shipping cost, would be cost effective due to high gas prices. I would think this would be a good step before getting a coin graded and having someone actually seeing the coin instead of the limitations of photos. Before sending a coin out I am looking for recommendations. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks
I think that a great first step is to post a good photo here. There are many very knowledgeable people here who will give you an honest evaluation for free.
Has any one heard of John Wexler and his website to examine coins and give a definitive evaluation? It costs three dollars to examine one side and five dollars to examine both sides. I live out in the country and a 2 hour drive to a coin shop or coin club. I find that the price, even with shipping cost, would be cost effective due to high gas prices. I would think this would be a good step before getting a coin graded and having someone actually seeing the coin instead of the limitations of photos. Before sending a coin out I am looking for recommendations. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks
1978 dime Here's the photo of the dime. ( I posted it a few weeks ago) but it is bothering me and I would like someone to see it physically.
Micro - what kind of coins are we talking about here ? I'm asking because getting a coin graded can cost $25-$40 per coin. Add another $6-$10 per coin to that (depending on how many you send Wexler at a time), and that's getting pretty expensive on a per coin basis. Now many, if not most, minor varieties carry little premium. So it is seldom worth it to have those coins graded. For that matter it may not even be worth it to have them identified. Major varieties are another matter, but major varieties can almost always be identified right here on the forum - for free. And if, after that you wanted to have them slabbed, well then yeah they are worth it. But not the minors. In fact, NGC and PCGS won't even attribute most minor varieties. You'd have to send the coins to ANACS to do that. But again, the minors are not worth the grading fees in most cases. So what coins are we talking about ? edit - I merged the threads.
There is no doubled die variety known for that dime. Is it a DD ? Maybe. For that, spend the $5-$10 and send it to him.
I have never used his services, but I have read a few of his books over the years. He seems extremely knowledgeable and I would value his opinion on varieties. If the service is worth the money, that is for you to decide. Personally, I would look on the internet for known die varieties and learn to attribute the coins myself.
Wexler is considered by many to be one of the most knowledgeable people there is when it comes to varieties. When new varieties are found, he is the person who confirms or denies it in most cases. And your dime is not a known variety. So if Wexler were to identify it as a new variety, then you would get credit for owning the discovery coin and the only one known to exist, so far anyway. But once new varieties are identified then others seem to crawl out of the woodwork. Does that answer your question ? edit - Like I said, based on your pics I'd send him the coin.
Thank you for answers, this is the information I needed. I am still pretty much a newbie. GTJMSP, I value your opinion and appreicate your time to answer this question. I have been looking for varieties on this coin and in the process I have learned a bit of new info. I read alot about collecting coins, but once an example (such as this dime) do I really learn an make sence of it.
It seems to me that $5 to Mr. Waxler is a pretty cheap way to validate this apparent variety. Does he provide a signed document of his findings? It may add some value to the coin if you ever wanted to sell it.
Look closer Frank. PMD ? How does PMD create a separate leg of the M ? There's a separation between the 2 legs. PMD can't do that.
