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Home > Tips For Beginning Coin Collectors
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Tips for Beginning Coin Collectors by Jeffrey Hauser
I used to collect pennies as a youth, but more recently went back to more serious collecting. Because there are so many newcomers like myself, I thought I would share the basics I almost forgot. Whether it's for fun, investing, or profit, you need to know what you are doing. Assuming that you are seeking individual already-minted US silver or gold coins, the following applies. The value of a coin is determined by it's (1) rarity i.e. the number of coins minted and (2) it's condition. When buying a coin, consider how the condition was decided. If it's the owner's opinion, beware. That can be very subjective. That's why you should choose coins that have already been graded by a reputable service. Use only first-tier, or national recognized agencies.
Here are the ones universally considered the best: PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) 800-447-8848 and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America) 800-642-2646. If you must try a second tier, or "average" service, they are: ANACS (Amos Certification Service) 800-888-1861 and ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.)877-221-4424.
Third tier or "independent" services should be avoided because no one really knows how they grade and what their criteria would be. For example, Star Grading Service, which only grades from MS60 to 70, accounts for 7% of the online graded coins according to their website. That means a coin sent to them gets at least a MS60. That could be a problem on a poor quality coin that should have a far less value
You can bet that a low-priced coin is marked less because of the grading company used or none at all. When looking online at eBay for example, the MS or mint state grading might be listed as MS64 by the dealer, when the coin is closer to a MS62 when actually graded by the PCGS in the future. I would only buy something pre-graded or, if it's a cheap coin say under $10, take a small chance and then send to the PCGS to have it graded for yourself.
Another word of wisdom. You have a choice to make. Do you buy something rarer and lower quality or a higher MS and more plentiful? If it's a Morgan silver dollar at $100, which is the better choice? It depends on what you will do with the coin. Is it for show? Then go for the luster and lower defects. After all, you want to show off your best. But if appreciation is the goal, a rarer coin might prove better in the long run. Either way, only spend what you can afford and have fun. Get a good beginners book for collectors and invest in the "Official Red Book" of US coin values. Learn what's out there on the internet and visit a local coin shop to see the actual coins.
One last thought. Avoid the online auctioneers that don't take credit cards or PayPal. Someone that requires only a cashier's check offers no buyer protection. Most of the legitimate dealers take credit cards. And, like I said before, beware of the really low-cost coins. Pay a fair price based on the Red Book make sure they have a money-back guarantee. For a cheap starting point, consider the new State quarters program and buy a few proof sets, still available from the US Mint at www.usmint.gov where you get them direct. Also, consider the new American President silver dollars just instituted this year, which is also a US Mint product. And then enjoy investing in America and it's vast financial heritage.
About the Author
Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years.
He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the
Phoenix." His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages" which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.
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