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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,452 |
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New Member
Canada
13 Posts |
Or at least what I should look for when looking for a coin if its worth collecting or not?. I'm thinking of collecting "G" to "VG" coins, I think I can afford it... but I dont know how to exactly grade it or at least get into the ballpark.
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Valued Member
Australia
52 Posts |
For what it is worth, you can only collect according to your budget, what is available and to what extent you are prepared to go. As it varies from person to person there is no straight answer but to strive to complete your set with the best possible coin available. Sorry if this doesn't help you.
regards
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
For older coins, most of my collections are G/VG. The first thing is to avoid the coins that have obvious marks, scratches, rim hits, etc. Basically, when you look at the coin avoid those that have imperfections that get your attention. Then, I usually want full rims. Not those where there are no rims and the outside lettering is worn off. If you can get a nice looking coin with full rims, those are nice to keep on a small budget.
For newer coins (say from 1965), you can hunt around if collecting from circulating coins. Just start by filling holes and keep looking. It's a continual upgrade process.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
The best thing is to just buy one of those Red Books and read what they say about a grade. If your picking coins out of change, the slight difference in G-2, G-4, or just G and/or VG is just not really worth worring about. If you are planning on just one set of each type, just keep the one that looks better to you. Those are your coins in your collection so basically do what you like.
It is only when you start with all the really high graded coins where trivial little differences are what the extreamist coin collectors and dealers are concerned with.
As to if they are worth collecting or not that is for you to decide. Remember this coin stuff is a hobby and should be fun. If you get to carried away with grading in the G, VG, etc areas, you'll miss out on a lot of fun. It's always a little fun when you can say I think this one is better than mine so I'll keep this one. Heck, I'll keep them both.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
The first thing I look at is the overall STRIKE of the coin, then how clear the fields are...
Take Care
Ben
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
 Carl is right, there is a lot of information to glean from the RedBook about grading. And it's easy get a general idea of the grade with the particular detailed info. contained in there. It also has a great deal of other info in there that one should be armed with....  |
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Moderator
 United States
188130 Posts |
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Those are your coins in your collection so basically do what you like. Everyone has given you excellent advice, but I have to say that this is the most important one! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
.......yeah.....can't argue with that !....  You have to arrange it how "you" want, and it must include what "you" like..... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
628 Posts |
I have trained myself to check the rims first. It's easy to be mesmerized by the by a coin's luster, etc. and miss a great big fat rim ding.
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New Member
 Canada
13 Posts |
Thanks for all the reply you guys, alot of very good information here... Carl - I completely understand, It would be more academic rather than letting your imagination run wild over a coin :). My goal is to AT LEAST learn how to look at coins and see the general ballpark of its grade so wont be scammed and I would know where to place it at in my future collection. Bonedigger what is a "Strike"?. Kabiye - Great info, there!. That helps me so much, what is are "full rims"?. I will definitely buy that Red Book for grading. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1267 Posts |
Strike, IMHO is the general condition/appearance of the coin the first time you examine it. How well it came off the mint dies. That's the first thing I look at -- often holding the coin upside down.
Take Care
Ben
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
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I have trained myself to check the rims first. It's easy to be mesmerized by the by a coin's luster, etc. and miss a great big fat rim ding. Good point to keep in mind too !...... Edited by eaglefoot
08/28/2008 6:18 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
Buy the best coin that you can afford.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
507 Posts |
You can check the menubar at the left that says "US Coin Facts". For each coin, they give quick grading guidelines. Each type of coin has its own "high spots" that get worn down first. Once you check a few coins, your eye gets used to checking the usual spots for wear.
If you're thinking of currently circulating coins, you can probably practice with a variety of grades straight from your change jar. The newer coins might be AU or better, whereas the 40y old ones will be G or VG (or worse).
WheatieFan
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
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what is are "full rims"?. Look at Wheatie Fan's large cent. The rim is the raised part outside USofA. It's full rim. If it was so worn that the lettering blended into the rim, like you see a lot on seated silver coins and Barbers, than that's not full rims. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
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I have trained myself to check the rims first. It's easy to be mesmerized by the by a coin's luster, etc. and miss a great big fat rim ding. Or the classic where a dealer showed me a large cent a customer returned, where one of the letters was turned into a U. I'm betting someone has a collection of similar large cents. |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,452 |
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Posted 08/28/2008 05:13 am
