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How Do You Inspect Your Coins?

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Valued Member

United States
236 Posts
 Posted 02/26/2008  2:44 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add coffeegod to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I haven't yet seen a full topic of how different collectors inspect their coins. I think this would be a good topic, to see how a lot of people go about looking for what they need and whats important to keep, especially from the long-time collectors as with professionals.
#1. Where do YOU begin?
#2. What type of magnifying devices do you begin with, etc.
#3. Do you classify them per date, condition, piles, all the above, etc.
There are so many questions/information that I'm sure a lot of beginners, novices & experienced individuals could benefit from......as with myself.

So here it is, let the hot topic begin.
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SeatedNut's Avatar
United States
2797 Posts
 Posted 02/26/2008  3:08 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SeatedNut to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
coffeegod,

There is a thread here where all this has been and is being discussed. It's the grading thread. Check out the sticky at the top of the page for grading techniques and tools.
Valued Member
United States
236 Posts
 Posted 02/26/2008  3:30 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coffeegod to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Never found it...... thanks though. I'll search it out.
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coop's Avatar
United States
62064 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  1:34 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coop to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
quote:
#1. Where do YOU begin?


Each collector has different view for his collection.
Some just want a coin from each year.
Some may want a coin from each year and mint mark.
Some may want just circulated coins in his collection.
Some will try to complete a BU collection of coins.
Some only collect proof coins.
Some only collect one denomination.
Some only collect error coins.
Some only collect variety coins.
Some only collect U.S. Coins/currency.
Some collect world coins or from just one country.
It is what the collector likes that makes his collection the best.
Some can live with holes in their collection, others want a complete set.
Some want coins for a type set in cir/BU condition.
Some start off with collecting everything or just collecting just one thing later.
Some collect Key date coins in any grade or in the best grade he can find.
Who is right? Of course the collector knows for sure.
Edited by coop
02/27/2008 1:56 pm
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GO's Avatar
United States
6563 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  1:43 pm  Show Profile   Check GO's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add GO to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Some collect one coin from every country alive and dead.
Some take it a step further and collect every single type of every country
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coop's Avatar
United States
62064 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  1:51 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coop to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
quote:
2. What type of magnifying devices do you begin with, etc.


I think we all start off the same but change as times go on.
The first method with be with out eyes view.
The next would be with a magnifying glass.
Then to a Lupe 10X or 16X.
Then to a microscope. (Those who are variety orientated.)
Starts off with a squint, ends with a look into a smaller world seen closest.
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coop's Avatar
United States
62064 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  2:09 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coop to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
quote:
#3. Do you classify them per date, condition, piles, all the above, etc.


I think we all start off with years/mint marks/BU or circulated/error coins/varieties if the addiction starts.

Each collector determines what he will center on. Whether he wants to fill holes in a book with circulated coins or collect the best he can find/afford.

Some may start with the three three fold coin books.
Some may just put them into a jar.
Some wish to keep there collection in the best condition buy using a more expensive way to store them.
Some like to keep the coins in tubes for roll storage.
Some prefer to keep them in the original paper.
Some like to use 2 X 2's to store coins in and put them into 3 ring binders with plastic pages to keep the coins in place. Other like the flips made "WITHOUT PVC" to keep there coins safe and easy to remove to examine or image.
Some like coinsafe plastic holders to store the coins to keep them from the elements.
Some like to have coins graded by a 3rd party grader and slabbed in a plastic coffin to protect the coins from damage/finger prints/elements around us.
Each collector must decide what works for him and what he likes the best. always harder to switch later, but it can be done.
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coop's Avatar
United States
62064 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  2:18 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coop to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
quote:
ETC


A loaded question. Depending on what your collecting. Some buy rolls from the bank. Others buy coins from a coin shop. Others go to coins shows to buy what they can't find at coin stores. But why do we do that? To find what could be the best find in the world or just anther coin pulled prom circulation. Identifying each coin as what to keep or what to toss back. It's all just what the collector likes or what he prefers. Other times its just what you till now. another coin to replace a collection to upgrade what you already have. Or to find coins to trade/sell to other collectors. How to search coins would have to be a different question than "coffegod has asked so far. So I will stop here.
Edited by coop
02/27/2008 2:19 pm
Valued Member
United States
288 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  2:52 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add gusp to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
CG. As too initial examination prior to grading;

I find it useful when rummaging thru stock coins to Look at the coin with 2x power at first. With my eyesight that is now necessary anyways. I give both sides a cursory glance and let my eyes be lazy. I do not look too close at first. I want to see the overall look of the coin.

I then look for signs of damage by starting at the middle of the coin and I mentally cut it into a pie looking at a section at a time. IE; from center to between 12:00 and 2:00 , then center to 2:00 to 4:00 ect. all the way around both sides of the coin. This way I do not overlook anything. I then look at the rim and sides of the coin. Then I cock the coin and look at different angles all around the coin for signs of hairlines, cleaning, whizzing, ect. and to determine the coin's overall luster. Normally after all of that I focus on the strike details. Lastly, I consider the date, mintmark, and design to determine variety, die marriages, ect.

Seems to work fairly well.
... Gusp
Edited by gusp
02/27/2008 3:04 pm
Valued Member
United States
236 Posts
 Posted 02/27/2008  4:49 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add coffeegod to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I knew it was a loaded topic when I started, though not realizing there already was a thread started. The info folks is greatly appreciated. I already use a lot of those techniques, and have learned a few more. I just recently received a 30X36 loupe, to add to my others. Very powerful. Not a microscope though.
Eric
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