Spot on, Randy. The absolute best way to learn what a cleaned, counterfeit, or otherwise problem coin looks like is to learn what a good coin...
No, I don't think I will.
In my years as a coin collector, I have encountered many, many different ways to chemically treat coins. However, I think it is a terrible idea...
When you buy Bust halves, it is a good idea to be very selective with the look you buy. All dates except 1815 are widely available, unless you...
Probably a 65. I'd have a hard time calling it 66 with the prominent reed mark in the obverse field right in front of his face.
I like the top one at 35 and the bottom at 40.
While PCGS only requires the bottom set of lines, I don't consider that to really be FBL. If that's what you like, go for it... we'll have to...
For the obverse, I don't really have a set standard - but I try and make Lady Liberty look in a natural position. The problem with aligning to the...
This was really interesting. Thanks for sharing!
The only half dime I have is my prooflike example. Its kind of hard to gauge the mirrors on this one, because these pictures were taken to...
Very wrong. I have numerous DPL graded coins from a wide range of series. The DPL designation is based solely on the degree of reflection... A...
I've heard so many stories about mis-attributed coins that I absolutely never trust them. I always verify for myself. Sometimes, with unusual...
Yes, it is a step in the right direction - but PCGS has been doing this (better) for years. I really like that you just tap the PCGS holder with...
I collect the coins of Morocco. In the French empire, they are known as Essai. Sometimes you will also see pieforts, which are double-thick....
If you are interested in just a single date, you could try checking auction archives. Heritage and others often mention relative population...
I absolutely agree. numismatics is completely independent of CPI. However, the purchasing power of the dollars I use to buy my coins is very...
Excel can handle this easily, as it has date functions which update automatically. In my case, since I only reference the year, I update a cell...
I suppose it is more for my own interest... How does the value of the coin I bought track with inflation? Coins I bought 20 years ago... I might...
Its actually pretty easy. Inflation is adjusted to the year I bought it. I could do it to the month, but that seems unnecessary. I use the...
I have kept the receipts for everything that had one. But, I've always kept track of the purchase date and price, with a link to the auction...
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