| Coin collecting can be an interesting and | | | | include PCGS, NGC, ANACS and ICG. Coins are |
| educational hobby. Whether you are collecting old | | | | usually graded using the American numismatic |
| or ancient coins there are numerous variations | | | | association grading standards. These coins will |
| available from all over the world and from all era's. | | | | contain a grade number and should be slabbed. |
| They range significantly in price from the very | | | | Slabbing involves having the coin sealed in a hard |
| cheap uncleaned roman coins which can cost no | | | | plastic holder which should contain the grade and a |
| more then a dollar to the expensive rare coins | | | | unique ID and barcode for that coin. The grade will |
| made of precious metals that can cost tens of | | | | give you important information that will help you |
| thousands. The value of a coin can vary | | | | or a coin expert determine the coins worth. |
| significantly and depend on factors such as grade, | | | | The Grade of a Coin |
| rarity and precious metal content. | | | | The value of a coin is significantly affected by its |
| Where to Buy Coins | | | | grade. The grade is measured using the Sheldon |
| There are a number of sources you can use to | | | | Scale. This scale ranges from 1 to 70 with 1 being |
| find coins. You can use a local dealer who may be | | | | nothing more than a piece of rusty, bent copper |
| able to educate you on what to avoid and what | | | | to 70 being perfect. A perfect coin will have no |
| to look out for. There are coin brokers that | | | | hairlines or defects and be like new. |
| specialize in obtaining coins for collectors and are | | | | The Age of a Coin |
| often experts in numismatics. Other sources for | | | | The age of a coin is not a good indicator of value. |
| collectors include coin clubs, mail order companies, | | | | Just because it is ancient does not mean it is |
| online stores or online auction sites like eBay or | | | | worth more then an old coin minted a few |
| Yahoo.eBay probably has the largest diversity of | | | | decades ago. For example many Roman coins |
| coins from all over the world both old and ancient. | | | | were minted in great numbers and so can fetch |
| Just make sure you purchase from someone with | | | | lower prices then coins minted in the 19th century |
| a high feedback score who has a history of selling | | | | such as a rare Morgan silver dollar. |
| coins on eBay and therefore is likely to tell a fake | | | | Rarity of a Coin |
| from a genuine coin. Not all fakes on eBay are | | | | The rarity can be measured using the Sheldon |
| sold by unscrupulous dealers but some mistakenly | | | | rarity scale. It has eight levels from R1 to R8 with |
| resell fakes believing them to be genuine. | | | | R1 representing very common and readily |
| If you are buying on eBay you should also | | | | available right up to R8 representing unique, or |
| consider purchasing coins that have been graded | | | | nearly so. Rarity and Grade are the most |
| by a reputable coin grading organization. The four | | | | important factors in determining the value with |
| most common and professional grading services | | | | the very rare coins fetching the highest prices. |