Starting A Coin Collection

The best place to start collecting would be with pennies, we will focus on the Lincoln Cent for the years 1909 through 1958, which are the Wheat Cents. There are still a number of "wheat cents" showing up in circulation, so it is possible to start a coin collection without spending a great deal of money.
While you are searching your pocket change for "wheat cents", be sure to check for silver coinage and of course check those quarters. Then new 50 State Commemorative Quarters are a very good place to start since you can find five new states each year plus the different mint marks.
Getting back to pennies, which is where we want to start our new collection. The first Lincoln Cent was minted in 1909 and was made of copper. The mint continued to make pennies from copper until 1943, when for this year only, they were made of steel and zinc plated to prevent them from rusting. These coins appear to be silver or gray in color because of the plating. The pennies were made of steel because of a copper shortage brought on by the war, but they resumed using copper in 1944. Between 1909 and 1958 the penny featured Lincoln on the obverse (front of the coin) and the words "ONE CENT" over "United States of America" framed by bundles of wheat on each side of the words, there by getting the descriptive name of "Wheat Cents". This is how the penny is called for the years 1909-1958. Other than a minor change in the composition of the metal which was 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc until 1943 when they were zinc plated steel, and then 1944 until 1958 when they were 95% copper, 5% zinc and no tin.
The Penny remained the same for 50 years. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, whose initials appeared on the reverse, of some, of the coins minted that first year. There are two varieties of the 1909, some have the VDB on the reverse, (back of coin) at the bottom of the coin at the 6 o’clock position, and others do not. The pennies were minted at Philadelphia, Pa. and San Francisco, Ca. The pennies from San Francisco have a small "s" under the date while the Philadelphia coins have no mintmark. The coins to watch for are the ones with mintmarks; this applies to all coins not just pennies. The value of coins is greatly based on rarity and with the Philadelphia mint being the largest of the mints; it was natural for them to produce the greatest number of coins. There is also a mint in Denver, Co. and a mint, which had been closed by this time in Carson City. The Denver mint put a small "d" under the date and on older coinage of other types you will find the letters "CC" for Carson City.

Understanding Coin value Guides

Price Guides area unit nice tools which give US with abundant required info. the value or worth of any coin being listed, or in an exceedingly prized assortment is critically necessary.   Knowing actuality and correct Grade of Your Coin, and understanding that the ANA value pointers area unit the muse of All value Guides can assist you to gather higher coins.

There area unit several coin value guides published;  weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and annually. they are available within the type of magazines, newsprint, “hot sheets”, and books.    All people have said one in all these from time to time to establish what a selected coin could be price.   Yet, few people stop to believe what we have a tendency to have gotten from anyone of those value Guides, on the far side {the price|the worth|the worth} or value of a coin.  After all, don’t value guides, simply offer you the price?  What else is there?

Basic to Associate in Nursing understanding of value guides area unit 2 things:  1)  the Grade of the Coin;  and 2) the muse of the value guide.   Knowing the Grade of the Coin is needed before one will begin. locution therefore appears to be obvious, however what additional will it mean?

Unless the coin is ranked by Associate in Nursing applicable skilled Grading Company, that has selected what Grade and Identity has been appointed to the coin, most people area unit creating Associate in Nursing assumption regarding the particular Grade.   This assumption we have a tendency to create will be terribly dangerous as a result of of:  a) the issue in grading a coin;  and, b) the various doable outcomes or results that occur.  One Grade “point” or level will create the distinction in a whole lot or thousands of bucks within the worth of a Coin.

Price Guides assume that you simply already recognize the Grade of the Coin. this is often why we've got the primary Rule of Coin Collecting: recognize the Grade of Your Coin.

Secondly, ALL value Guides area unit based on identical Principle, that is that the Coin, whose value you're wanting up, has been ranked mistreatment one Grading normal.   That Grading normal is about by the ANA – yank Numismatic Association – and is entitled the Official Grading Standards For US Coins.

Therefore, ALL value Guides have a “silent assumption” in-built to their guide; that is that the Grade that you simply decide upon, is that the True or correct, which such  Grade relies on the ANA Standards. 

The first issue that arises is that almost all folks ne'er recognize if the Grade that they need set upon is correct.  Of course, this issue ne'er comes into question, if the coin is Professionally ranked by Associate in Nursing applicable company.  There area unit solely four (4) honorable skilled Grading corporations that strictly follow the rules set by the ANA, and that they are:  PCGS, NCG, ICG, and ANACS.

The second issue arises as a result of this “silent assumption” or Foundation of all value guides is whether or not or not the Grade has been set upon mistreatment the rules or Standards established by the ANA.   If you don’t have the talents and coaching of knowledgeable coin critic, the choice is maybe questionable.

Even if you are doing have the talents and coaching of knowledgeable coin critic, the choice continues to be in all probability questionable.  Why? as a result of even skilled coin graders have differing opinions. this is often why the honorable skilled coin grading corporations need the opinions of 3 (3) skilled coin graders to gain the “Grade” designation to be placed on each coin.

The obvious conclusion is that a heavy numismatologist goes to take a position in rare and trendy coins that area unit ranked by one in all the highest Four honorable Grading corporations. it's the sole sure thanks to eliminate the disagreements and arguments regarding the Grade of Any coin being Bought or Sold! it's the sole sure method one will worth their coin assortment.  It additionally eliminates “getting taken” or cheated shopping for raw coins.

Have fun grouping your excellent Coins!

A coin is value quite a coin

Coin collectors, previous and new, have invariably questioned whether or not the coin or coins they need within their possession ar value quite the face price nowadays - or in the predictable future. 

Even though that a coin that has very little or no price monetarily isn't essentially one wouldn't keep or create a part of one’s coin assortment. the subsequent ar basic factors that may influence a coin’s price.How rare or un-rare is it?Generally, the construct that everybody is aware of and follows is this:   the rarer a coin the upper the coin’s value.  This rule is true in some cases and – as luck would have it or sadly – false on the others.  There was a scenario wherever a Chinese coin, 1000 years previous, sold  for under some of bucks as a result of there have been several of the thousand-year-old Chinese out there. Compare this to a coin created solely in 1913, a nickel specifically known as a Liberty Head, that may sell for (hold your breath) a million dollars! it's better-known that solely 5 of those coins exist, consequently the big cost.Is the coin in smart condition?The higher the condition of the coin, the higher the value that it'd bring about the market, as a result of the grade of the coin would match its condition. A coin that's in mint condition - raise this that it's primarily associate uncirculated coin – is really value 100 times quite an analogous coin that's simply in average circulated condition.    Demand and supplySometimes, once the demand for a particular coin is high, that coin’s value – despite the quantity of them out there – is simply as high.  Take the instance of the coin dated 1916-D, and compare it to the worth of a coin dated 1798. many folks value more highly to collect coins of the twentieth century instead of people who ar from the 1700’s.  The 1916-D dimes sell above the abundant older 1798 coins. the actual fact that there ar additional (approximately four hundred thousand) 1916-D coins than there ar dimes from the year 1798 (only concerning thirty thousand), will very little to have an effect on the value of every.It is best to own an expert coin dealer grade the coin(s) and verify the worth of any coin(s) you will own. World Health Organization knowsPsychology Articles, it can be value additional (or less) than what you think that.

The Grade of a Coin Is Everything!

Assigning a Grade to Collectible Coins could be a should.  Whether, Buying, marketing or simply Valuing (Pricing) a selected coin, or a complete Coin assortment, the Coin Grade is crucial, and completely necessary.  Professionally stratified Coins area unit the foremost Reliable and area unit Accepted by the bulk of all Coin Collectors. 

So you're a Coin Collector!

Tell me: area unit you continue to assembling Raw Coins?

Take any Coin in Your assortment, and Tell ME What it's price.

To do so, you've got to form a choice regarding the Grade of the Coin.

I will Assume that you just area unit AN skilled at Grading a United States Coin, so, you've got found the right Grade for the Coin you chose.

Obviously, the Grade Determines the worth or price of the Coin.

And, Once you've got the Grade of the Coin, Any supply for the value or price of a Coin can Tell You the worth.  (e.g.:  greysheet, Red Book, Black Book, Coin World, etc.)

Whether you're preparing to put a value on Your assortment, preparing to Upgrade or Sell one coin from Your assortment, or preparing to shop for or Upgrade a brand new Addition, the Grade of the topic Coin is All vital.  The Grade is Everything.  Nothing Matters over the Grade of a Collectable Coin.

Now, assume that you just area unit marketing this Coin, and Represent it to be the Grade you made the choice Upon. you've got worthd the Coin in line with a Reliable Price Guide.

What share of all Coin Collectors can settle for and Believe the Grade You appointed, although they may Examine the Coin In Person?

Probably alittle Minority!  Why? as a result of the Grade of a Coin is that the most vital Identity issue, and deciding the Grade could be a tough method. this can be True, whether or not shopping for or marketing.   If the Grade isn't True, or Correct, then cash are Lost – Lost to the vendor if the Grade is simply too Low;  Lost to the client if the Grade is simply too High.

There is nothing wrong with shopping for and marketing Raw Coins. although they'll come back from pocket modification or bank rolls. however once you choose to form them a part of your assortment, they have to be stratified by AN freelance skilled Coin critic.

This is therefore as a result of you would like to understand the worth or price, of every coin, in addition because the Total assortment.

But, you say, its solely my Personal assortment, and that i am not about to Sell it currently, or ever.   Great, I say, however does one additionally ne'er arrange on Upgrading any of these Coins?   Whenever you would like to Sell a Coin in your Personal assortment, you've got to Sell it with a Grade and a worth. this implies you've got to Represent to some other person, the Grade of the Coin. you need to try this as a result of you've got to place a worth on the Coin. once that Coin has been Professionally Certified and stratified, you've got Eliminated the largest Argument purpose.  Knowing the Grade Makes Everything most Easier. the value could be a Given once the Grade is Established.

Dreaming regarding owning a Coin with the best Grade (in any Class), as we tend to flipped through the pages of our Red Book, has occurred to each one amongst United States from the beginning of our collecting days. each of these “Dream Coins” Passed the take a look at, and met the wants of the Coin Grading Guide established by the ANA (American Numismatic Association). 

What most Coin Collectors don’t understand is that there area unit solely four (4) corporations World Health Organization provide freelance skilled Coin Grading, and Follow the ANA Official Grading Standards For United States Coins.  These corporations are:  1)  PCGS;  2) NGC;  3)  ANACS;  and 4) ICG.  These area unit the businesses to be used once those Raw Coins ought to be stratified.

Get the best worth for Coins you're Selling;  Get the most effective worth for Coins you're Buying; and acquire AN correct Appraisal of Your assortment.  Collect Certified and stratified Coins!  Don’t Play Games with consumers and Sellers over the Grade of a Coin. apprehend the Grade of Your Coin!