| When one collects coins, one must be as certain | | | | services with lesser reputations appear to be |
| as possible that every coin purchased is authentic, | | | | grading high to have the customer send more |
| properly graded, and exactly as advertised. This | | | | coins to them. Pleasing the seller with a high grade |
| requires credibility. | | | | when the coin is of lower grade does the buyer |
| Credibility of the quality of a coin can often be | | | | no justice. With grading, it is all about the |
| ascertained by the reputation of the mint that | | | | reputation. |
| produced it, provided it is still housed in whatever | | | | Even the top grading companies are currently |
| the mint used to preserve it. Mint cards that seal | | | | struggling with counterfeit slabs with their |
| the coin can indicate authenticity and quality. If the | | | | markings coming out of China. Examine the slab |
| card has not been tampered with, the coin's | | | | closely and check the number for authenticity. |
| condition is likely to be what it was when the coin | | | | Coins purchased directly from a mint should be |
| left the mint. | | | | problem free, and if you trust a dealer those the |
| Mint cases and certificates of authenticity are | | | | dealer purchased directly from a mint should also |
| another matter. Some eBay auctions are for | | | | be error free. The next paragraph can assist you |
| empty boxes or certificates of authenticity. Some | | | | in establishing a criteria for which determining |
| dealers sell empty boxes. The problem is they | | | | dealers you wish to trust. |
| damage the field of numismatics when they do | | | | While the credibility of the coin is important, the |
| this. The most likely use for empty cases, and | | | | credibility of the seller is even more critical. The |
| perhaps certificates of authenticity as well, is that | | | | ANA has a strict code of ethics, as does the |
| they can be combined with an inferior coin to | | | | equivalent organization is Australia. Anyone can go |
| enhance its price. This practice of selling empty | | | | to the ANA website and check the code of |
| cases and certificates of authenticity, while legal, is | | | | ethics. Dealers are permitted to display the ANA |
| not good for the coin collecting public. | | | | emblem on their websites, but only if the dealer is |
| Some mint issues are only produced in proof | | | | willing to place that dealers' name and membership |
| condition. If the coin is in a capsule, and could not | | | | number with the emblem. If the emblem is not |
| have been replaced with an inferior coin, consider | | | | properly displayed with the additional information |
| it to be safer than most other coins. The Perth | | | | present, ask if something is being hidden. Deal with |
| Mint does not mint a Dreaming Series silver coin in | | | | those who have the credentials, and you will |
| any other condition, so a silver Dreaming Series | | | | reduce your risk. |
| coin housed in its original case from Perth is likely | | | | Certainly there are many dealers who are |
| to be a proof, un-circulated specimen. | | | | honorable, but if they have not yet sought to |
| Knowing the variations of the coins you buy are | | | | associate with an organization that would hold |
| your responsibility, and sometimes takes a little | | | | them accountable perhaps they should do so. |
| research. But that research is well worth it. If | | | | For links to major English speaking mints, like the |
| there are proof coins identical to those not proof, | | | | Perth Mint of Australia, and to the ANA, just go |
| the case and certificate of authenticity are not | | | | to Black Spaniel Gallery's website, from this link. |
| enough to insure no switch has been made. | | | | Check the Home Page for the ANA emblem |
| Buying "graded" coins sealed in slabs is a plus | | | | properly displayed. Black Spaniel Gallery buys |
| when assigning credibility. But there are many | | | | many coins directly from major mints, and you |
| grading services with dubious reputations. Make | | | | can view what comes with them on our website. |
| certain the slab is from one of the top grading | | | | Coins are an investment, so be very careful. |
| services. Even those grading services that have | | | | Check each coin's authenticity, each coin's grading, |
| established reputations can make mistakes, but | | | | and each dealer's reputation. |
| the chances are less likely they will. Some | | | | |