| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,745 |
|
|
New Member
United States
2 Posts |
Well, might as well start someplace... It seems to me one of the first questions a newbie would ask when you have a pile of loose coins, is whether or not you should go to the expense of getting your coins certified? The other basic question is whether or not one should clean the gunk and grime off any of these old coins? [I use Cape Cod for Metal polish on some of my old Clock parts, when necessary.] I've attached one example, an 1868 Three-cent Nickel. I have old pennies (Steel), nickels (Liberty), dimes (Barber), quarters, half dollars, and dollars (Morgan, Peace, & President) - earliest go back to Civil War era up to the mid-1970s. I bought "The Official Red Book" and it appears to be an outstanding reference book with very little instruction on how to care for or optimize a coin collection. I am sure there are many other good references - so as a starting point I would welcome input on good reference material on the art of coin collecting - I love to read!   |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2843 Posts |
 to the hobby and the community. As far as getting coins certified. Most will say, that the coin must be worth $150+ to justify a TPG. Some may say a different dollar figure, but I think all would agree that there is a figure. Cleaning coins is a big no-no. Using acetone or even verdi-care is okayed by most collectors. Never scrub. Red Book is good, but don't get carried away with their pricing. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree. Show us your better coins and we'll help you decide whether to certify. In the case of the 3-cent nickel you've shown, it's damaged and definitely not worth submitting! to the CCF! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1309 Posts |
Welcome, I'd not go to the trouble, or cost of certifying any coins just yet. I ALSO WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANY ATTEMPT TO CLEAN ANY OF YOUR COINS. Best of luck.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
36744 Posts |
 it only makes sense if the value of the coin is there or you have a key date that needs to be authenticated. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
And to determine whether a coin has enough value to merit slabbing you need to estimate its value.
For that you need to learn how to grade coins.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
1. Dont clean them you can easily destroy any collectors value they may have 2. Determine what you are trying to accomplish (i.e. sell what you have, catalog a collection, determine value for insurance, start collecting, etc.) 3. Learn the basics of grading. PCGS has an interesting photo grading site that allows you to compare your coin to a graded example like this for Morgans https://www.PCGS.com/photograde/#/Morgan/Gradesit isn't perfect but it is a start 4. Pick out a couple of your better coins and grade them, then post them here for others to grade it is a good way to learn. (Good photos are essential) Once you have determined what you want to do, and have a better idea of how to determine what you have, you can then work up a plan of where you want to go and how to get there |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
ALL good replies to your questions so far . My biggest concern is about cleaning . I cringe every time I see a harshly cleaned coin .  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If you like to read just go up and down the list of forums and read stuff from all of them. |
|
New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
Lots of great feedback!
Thanks, Everybody!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
591 Posts |
Welcome! Great questions, sounds like you have some coins (inheritance? flea market?) and would like to both learn about your current collection as well as possibly adding to it. I agree the Red Book is a good general reference, but the retail prices are typically on the high side (approx what you might expect to pay at a coin shop, but likely higher for other coin venues). One thing you might consider if you do decide to start adding to your collection is to specialize in one or just a few series or even sub-series (eg branch mints). I read articles at Coin Week (coinweek.com) and I believe under 'Resources' there are articles on 'collecting strategies' and other educational articles (this is just one of many good websites out there, including of course coincommunity! Good luck! |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
A very good book is Coin Worlds "Making the Grade" by Amos Advantage. It provides extremely detailed photographs of every grade, denomination and series. It also shows the wear areas in color formatted description from good to bad when grading yourself. I swear by it. Cost around $40 for the large paperback book. ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,745 |
|
Posted 01/03/2019 1:18 pm
