Yes, this the sad, scary part. It’s a huge barrier to the hobby of the casual collector must be an instant expert to get into it. I probably had...
Given the vast nature of ancient coins, how could you design one with labeled holes? For imperial Roman coins alone, David Sear lists 21,669...
The definition of the “holy grail” varies from collector to collector. One thing I would caution you about is getting hung up on the latest modern...
It's not as easy as it sounds. I have one gold CAC stickered coin. I bought it when CAC first came out. It's a PCGS EF-40. Once I got the gold...
The only reason to get a cheap coin certified is some for your ego, or if you are playing the registry game, put it up on your on-line collection....
Certification has almost become a requirement for higher priced U.S. coins because of the counterfeit problem and the “micro grading standards”...
Proof coins, especially the toned examples, are a bear to photograph. In my case, if I take the shot straight on, none of the reflective mirrors...
I've got the book. It was most welcome after years of Walter Breen's 1958 revision of the Valentine's book from the '30s being "the latest word."...
My avatar coin. This one got me hooked on early U.S. coinage in the 1970s. [ATTACH] Here is an example of the next type. [ATTACH] and...
Since John McCloskey co-wrote the book, I am guessing that he got a little "numismatic lumanery" boost. As for the grades, when collectors are...
I had been looking for a well struck, high grade Capped Bust Half Dime (Type 1829 to 1837) for a few years. I could never find the right one at...
I have been looking for a Proof Trade Dollar for some time. When I was a dealer, the other dealers always wanted too much. I wanted a piece that...
I suppose if I called it an AU-55, a CAC sticker would be appropriate for an AU-53 graded piece. Still I am surprised that CAC beaned it. They...
Some people collect gold CAC slabs and pay a big premium for them, even if they are in NGC holders. The PCGS-CAC combination is the gold standard...
I think that the gold content and the price the British had to pay for the U.S. gold pieces were the determining factors. The “old tenor gold...
Overall, the 1834 crosslet 4 is rarer. From the aspect of preservation, the 1838-D is rarer because only one or two others have graded MS-63....
I don’t know that we ever got to that one. He had friend who was bringing to coins to him. One day the friend to me that he had passed on. The...
Thank you for noticing. I paid way too much for that coin because it's over graded. It used to be in an AU holder, where it belonged, but a...
Given the bad pictures, my response is "Run, Forest, run!" Bad photos are the hallmark of pervors of counterfeits. The 1885-CC silver dollar is...
I voted AU-55. The strike is pretty decent for this type. Many of them have die sinking in front the face of Ms. Liberty, which I find...
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