Looking for die polishing and cleaning marks is why some of us run around with a high priced 10X glass on string around our necks at the shows....
I have used Eagle Holders for years, but they are expensive. They used to fall apart too, but they have improved on that score in recent years....
I have always greatly admired the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. I think that it is best of the "American Renaissance" designs, and that includes...
My opinion is that a collector is better off liquidating the collection and then donating the money to their favorite organization. Neither the...
That is not correct. Learning who grade teaches you how to spot problems and apply the current standards so that you don’t overpay. It’s just...
Having been around for over 60 years, I'll tell you what a "wrong grade" is. It's when you try to sell a coin for which you have paid the current...
I paid the highest price I have ever paid for ancient coin for this piece by a wide margin. It is a Gordian II denarius, which is a tough coin....
A single grade would not be adequate for that piece. I think the technical grade is Mint State. After saying that, you would have to say double...
The guy who graded that piece gVF, which I guess is EF by U.S. standards, really needs a course in grading, based upon the pictures. The coin has...
I have a file of photos that I have saved over the years called "CAC Question." They are the pieces that I thought fell short of the assigned...
I would think that if you could find one that is graded “Brown” that you could buy it at a much lower price. Everyone wants the modern cents as “Red.”
[ATTACH] I bought this one over 30 years ago from a collect who was putting together some money for he and his wife to go to Bermuda. I'm going to...
Here is an example of "grade-flation" for U.S. coins. I bought this piece from a collector who was saving money to go to Bermuda. I had long...
Here's an example of "the expensive one." I usually try to buy things like this certified. The trouble is that it's copper, the urge to "enhance...
I think my piece has more detail than the coin you posted, for that is worth. The only times I have had trouble with copper coins "going bad" in...
As a follow-up, this denarius of Otho was once in an NGC Ch VF holder. The ancient dealer from whom I purchased it cracked it out, but he retained...
Here are couple of pieces I bought this month, so that makes them "Christmas presents" of a sort. They are the last to Feuchtwanger three cent...
"Grade-flation" has been happening for U.S. coins for quite some time. It has been gradual, but real if you have been handling slabbed coins for...
Yes, one of the major TPGs certified a bad one, and CAC put a sticker on it. Both mistakes were corrected, but it was certainly disappointing and...
I am very sorry this happened to you. Counterfeits take all the fun out of collecting. One of the big problems is the ridiculous time it takes...
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