Buy and sell certified coins by ANACS, ICG, NGC and PCGS, are a great way to start or add to your coin collection. They also make nice gifts for any occasion.
Here you will find American silver eagle coins certified by the top four major grading services. ANACS silver eagles, ICG silver eagles, NGC silver eagles, and PCGS silver eagles. The key date 1996 American silver eagle, 1995-W American silver eagle, Certified Franklin half dollar cameo coins and many certified silver coins to add to your collection.
What are the Advantages of Buying PCGS Graded Coins? by Keith Scott
As a coin collector or an investor of coins, you no doubt have asked yourself the question of why you should buy professionally graded coins. These coins are also known as slabbed or certified vs. an uncertified coin which is known as “raw”. The term “slabbed” came about because certified coins are in a plastic slab.
A topic such as this is quite controversial as each side of the coin has its staunch proponents. In this article though, we will concentrate on the advantages of graded coins, specifically PCGS graded coins. As you may know, there are several other grading services out there but PCGS has been ranked the most consistent in grading and ability.
PCGS, a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, started grading coins for the public in 1986 and since then PCGS has graded millions and millions of coins. So why buy PCGS coins? Let’s answer that question now.
The first reason, and this applies to all slabbed coins, is that a slabbed graded coin is now protected from further damage. Imagine taking out your best coin, a 1942-S Walking Liberty in what you believe to be MS-67 condition. In this condition, PCGS gives an estimated value of $25,000.00. It is an absolutely beautiful coin. To prepare for this moment, you put on your white coin gloves so as to not pass body oils to the coin. As you pick it up to examine it the telephone rings, or your two year old snuck up behind you and nearly trips you. The coin goes flying out of your hands and is rolling across your floor right towards the floor heat vent. You make a mad dash and dive to save the coin, but it is too late. The coin rolls over the lip of the heat vent and slips between the cracks into your house heating duct. You lift the vent out of place and reach in for your coin. Fortunately it did not go around the bend and begin the spiral down to the furnace. It may as well have. Your once $25,000 coin now has several scrapes, scuffs, and a ding smack dab above “In God We Trust” due to the screw it landed on in the vent. This same coin in MS-65 condition is worth $700. Even worse, in MS-64 it is worth $110. While the coin still has its original mint luster, the physical damage is there. Do you think this is an extreme example? Maybe, but I guarantee you that many a coin has been accidentally dropped by dealers and collectors reducing its grade by a couple notches and its value by countless thousands of dollars. Personally, and sadly, it has happened to me. I once dropped what I thought would be a MS-66 Red 1909 VDB Lincoln cent. Upon close examination after I dropped it, I noticed a few scrapes and scuffs not previously their. Yes, they were minor and barely visible, but I had it graded anyway, and it came back as MS-65. While my example was not with a $25,000 coin, it happens. I now clear a special area for handling GEM coins so this never happens again. A certified coin comes in a hard plastic container that not only protects it from silly mistakes but also it is sealed to further protect it from the elements. Yes, the natural elements (air pollution) can damage coins over long periods of time. Most grading companies will encase the graded coin in an air-tight container to ensure preservation.
The second reason to buy a PCGS slabbed coin is that any coin graded a specific grade will retain that grade. A MS-65 coin will always be a MS-65 coin, unless of course you submit it for re-grading. With PCGS coins though, you can be fairly certain in the consistency of graded coins. With other grading services, inconsistencies bring uncertainty into an assigned grade.
The third reason to buy PCGS graded coins is that when it comes time to sell, PCGS graded coins will command a premium over other slabbed coins. As an example, I checked recent sales of the very common 1921 P Morgan dollar in MS65 condition. Those certified from PCGS were commanding prices upwards of 50% over similarly graded coin from other grading services. While this is an extreme case, it simply points out the faith by collectors in PCGS coins. Naturally, it will cost you more to buy PCGS coins than other certified coins.
The fourth reason to purchase PCGS certified coins is a coin graded by PCGS gives it instant credibility. Grading services first came about so that coins could be bought and sold without the buyer having to see it first. This was in the age before digital cameras and the internet. While there was a grading system in place in the early 80’s, grading was very arbitrary. A coin graded F-12 by one person would grade G-4 by another. By introducing an outside, disinterested party into the equation, both sides of a transaction could agree that the grade was correct. The idea was to create a system whereby dealers could trade/buy/sell coins without seeing them first. The idea was a hit. Today PCGS graded coins offer instant credibility. Whether you are buying or selling though, always buy the coin and not the grade. I have regrettably bought a few truly ugly high grade PCGS coins. While they were in decent shape, some had very unattractive toning and had I seen the coin first, I would not have bought it. Even though a coin carries a certain grade, you still need to ask details about certified coins and look at them first.
A fifth reason for PCGS graded coins is if you are a variety collector, you can be 99.9999% sure that a variety that has been graded is authentic. PCGS has demonstrated over the years ability better than most other services in detecting fakes. If you are buying a 3-legged buffalo, a PCGS graded coin can offer additional insurance of authenticity, especially if you are buying over eBay or some other auction service
With the introduction of the State Quarter program several years ago, coin collecting has seen a surge in the number of collectors. Thousands and thousand of new collectors have entered the hobby and with that there will be a higher demand for certain coins. While most of us began our hobby for the pure enjoyment of collecting, we still like to know that our investment is somewhat safe. I believe, and this is my opinion only, that with more and more collectors entering the hobby, certain high-end certified coins will continue to rise in value due to demand. As those collectors who started on State Quarters mature in their collecting endeavors, they will no doubt begin to collect older coins such as Walking Liberty halves and Morgan Dollars. Most likely this will be coins that have been certified. This will no doubt raise the value of certified coins. But this is only my guess.
Coin Collecting can be a wonderful hobby and as you refine your collecting interests, PCGS graded coins can make a wonderful addition to your collection.
5 Reasons to Collect Certified and Graded Coins by GreenT47
5 Reasons to Collect Certified and Graded Coins
by Robert L Taylor, JD
Why should a coin collector and investor buy and collect professionally graded and certified coins? Commonly called “slabs”, they are housed in a protective plastic holder. There are many companies – over a dozen are less than 2 years old – which will put your coin in a slab after Certifying that it is Authentic, and assigning a Grade to the coin. The first reason for buying and collecting Certified and Graded Coins applies to all of these companies. However, the most important reasons apply only to the Top Four companies: PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and ICG.
Reason No 1. To Protect Your Coin from Damage. Visible Damage, which includes anything from finger prints/oils to being stepped on. More importantly, Environmental Damage, including such things as exposure to the air, or the wrong kind of air, chemicals in the air, and touching other objects (e.g.: certain plastics, liquids, food) and other coins, which will change the appearance and even structure of the coin. Damage causes loss of Value, which means Your Investment. A slab is an air tight container, and its purpose is Protection.
Reason No 2. To Establish Authenticity. You want and need to know that your coin is not only the Real thing, but that it has not been altered (changing a mint mark - fraud) or changed, for example by cleaning, polishing, changing the appearance or surface of the coin, in any way that would render your coin unfit to collect. If it is Unfit to Collect, there won’t be many Buyers or Sellers. Many coins graded by lesser companies end up getting Rejected by one of the Top Four for these reasons.
Reason No 3. To Establish Identity. Is that 1909 Lincoln penny a VDB? Did you overlook the “S” mint mark. Is it a Type 1 or Type 2? These little identifying marks can mean the difference between a $20 coin and one worth $35,000. We all make mistakes and overlook or miss, mint marks, details, and certain other identifying factors which make up “Varities” of each coin. It is the professional’s duty to look for, and establish these things to determine a coin’s true Identity.
Reason No 4. To Establish the Coin’s Grade. A coin’s Grade is what determines its Value. You want Good Value when you Buy the coin. You want to get what you pay for (or more) and not get cheated. When you get ready to Sell or Upgrade, you want to get the most for your coin. You have to Know what your coin is Worth! The Grade is always an Issue when Buying and Selling a Collectible Coin. Having the coin Professionally Certified and Graded virtually eliminates this Issue, and the Arguments. This is Your Neutral Third Party.
Reason No 5. Trust and Credibility. The Top Four companies are Consistent, Reliable and Trustworthy. They have Established and Respected Reputations. Their Standards are the Highest and the Best. You are taking a Risk when buying a certified and graded coin from any other company. When you Sell a Certified and Graded Coin, it will speak for you. The reputation of the Grading Company will firmly establish the Grade of the Coin. This translates into the Value or Worth of the Coin.
It is possible to buy and sell a coin that is Certified and Graded by one of the Top Four, sight unseen, and know exactly what you are getting. From a description of the coin (e.g.: 1903 O, MS66, NGC, Morgan #034), you know what you are buying, and what to expect. It always helps to have a little description of its appearance, such as “white hot” or “slight reverse toning”, since there is one limitation to selling a Certified and Graded coin sight unseen: It is still possible to buy an ugly coin. But that is why we have scanners, fax and email.
Therefore, as a Coin Collector and Investor, always collect Certified and Graded coins by one of the Top Four. It is the most reasonable way to verify authenticity and identity of every coin in your collection, as well as to establish a reliable Value. Every source of prices for any coin, be it a yearly book, magazine, a weekly or monthly newsprint; all base their prices on the Grading Standards of the Top Four grading companies, which strictly follow the ANA (American Numismatic Association) guidelines. If the Grade of your coin does not measure up to these Standards, then you are only guessing at the Value.
Robert Taylor is a 60 year old retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who spent most of his career representing people who could not afford an attorney, and who has had a passion for collecting US coins, since the age of 6. Wanting to share his Passion, he created http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com which features US Rare and Modern Coins (from 1960) and http://www.PerfectDollarCoins.Com featuring US Dollar Coins (from 1878), all Certified and Graded by NGC, PCGS, ICG and ANACS.
History of the Famous 1913 Liberty Nickel Submitted by: Keith
The Liberty Nickel, commonly known as the 'V' nickel for the Roman Numeral 'V' on the reverse was officially produced from 1883 to 1912. We use the word officially because one of the most famous coins of all is the 1913 Liberty Nickel which was produced under suspect circumstances. Sometime well after normal production stopped for the Liberty Nickel series, a few 1913 Liberty Nickels surfaced. In December 1919, Samuel W. Brown put an advertisement in The Numismatist offering to pay $500 for 1913 Liberty Nickels. It is a known fact that he was the first person to advertise for this date. It turns out; Brown was employed by the mint at the time of the suspected minting of the 1913 coins. He worked in the coining department. Although no one now knows for sure how the 1913 coins were produced, there are a couple theories: It is speculated that the coins were produced in late 1912 when dies for the next years coinage were being made, and before it was decided that 1913 would be the introduction of the Buffalo Nickel. The coins could have been produced early January 1913. The first 'experimental' Buffalo Nickels were struck on January 7th, 1913 but production did not take place until February 15, due to various design problems. It would not have been unusual for someone in the Medal Department of the Mint to strike a few examples for cabinet/display purposes. Since the Buffalo Nickel was not yet officially approved, striking a few Liberty Nickels would not have been illegal. While no one knows for sure how Brown came into possession of the nickels, it is possible that he received them from engraver George T. Morgan, who produced rarities upon occasion for sale to dealers. Considering the effort required to produce them, such as making the dies, preparing the machinery and then finally striking the coins, it is amazing that no-one came forward to claim participation or to profit from the coins. After running the ad, Brown displayed the nickels in 1920 at an ANA convention. Now the word was out, 1913 Liberty Nickels actually existed. A few years later, a prominent coin dealer of the time, B. Max Mehl or Fort Worth, TX, advertised to pay $50 a piece for a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. He knew he would never get one though. He was a marketing genius and as a result of his advertisements, coin collecting became all the rage and his publication, Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia sold very well. People began checking there change in hopes of finding the coin. To this day though, only 5 have ever surfaced and it is believed that the five known, are the only ones in existence. In January 1924, August Wagner, a Philadelphia coin dealer advertised for sale the five nickels presumably on behalf of Samuel Brown. From there, they have had a host of owners. Until recently, one of the 5 pieces (the Walton Coin) had been missing for 40 years. Mr. Walton-a dealer, would take his coin to shows along with a duplicate. On his way to a show he was killed in a car wreck and his coins were scattered on the roadside. His heirs did get his coins back, but were never sure if the 1913 Liberty Nickel coin they had was the fake or the original. A major dealership once called the real coin a fake. In 2003 at the ANA Show, the coin was authenticated by several experts and the mystery of the missing coin ended. It was also at this convention that all 5 1913 Liberty Nickels were displayed together for the first time since 1920. How famous is the 1913 Liberty Nickel? It was the first coin to sell for over one-million dollars. It was also featured on the old show Hawaii Five-0.
About Author: Keith Scott has been a collector for over 30 years. His website has US coins for sale. He also writes Coin Collecting Articles for fun. Visit his websites for a history of US coins, metal market updates and news about your favorite coins.
