Saturday, March 21, 2009

President On The Dime

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the president on the dime. The obverse side which shows the bust of Roosevelt, also has the legend "Liberty" along the rim, and the motto "In God We Trust". The date of issue is also found on the obverse of the dime with a corresponding mint mark located above the date. The reverse design is a flaming torch and two different branches of leaves, olive leaves to the left and oak leaves to the right. It also includes "United States of America" is above the torch , "One Dime" is written below the torch, and the motto "E Pluribus Unum" is written sort of in the background of the dime just below and behind the torch.. This design was first introduced in 1946 and is still in use today.
Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Franklin D. Roosevelt, who is the featured president on the dime, was 42nd President of the United States (32nd under the 1787 Constitution). He was born on January 30, 1882 on his parents property of Hyde Park, in New York. He was elected to an unprecedented four terms, 1933 - 1941, and died in office. He remains the only U.S. president elected more than twice. And in fact, an amendment to the the US Constitution (22nd Amendment) only allowed presidents to serve 2 terms, due to his 4 terms of office. Since 1946, Roosevelt's portrait has appeared on the obverse of the U.S. dime. This honor was bestowed upon him for his many achievements, but the dime was a symbolic reference to the March of Dimes, an effort of find a cure for polio, which Roosevelt founded in 1938.

Roosevelt, the president on the dime, has had a bit of competition with a new act to replace the long lasting reign of Roosevelt's bust on the the front on the dime with a new bust of Ronald Reagan. Of course, the March of Dimes has greatly opposed this Act, along with Nancy Reagan, to allow Roosevelt's bust to remain on the obverse of the dime, to keep the honor of FDR in lasting memory for his work with the March of Dimes. I guess we will see who becomes the new president on the dime. Hopefully, FDR will remain on the face of the dime, and the US Government can find another respectful way to honor Ronald Reagan.
Source: thecoinalley.com

Coin Collecting is a Fun Hobby

Coin collecting is a fun hobby to start and the thrill of hunting for old coins is enough for many people to continue doing it. Other people consider coin collecting an investment, something they can receive a profit from. If you are one of those people, then you can find several types of coins in this article that will help you determine what others are looking for.

Most coin collectors will look for only a specific kind of coin that will make their collection more valuable and interesting to buyers. Others are collecting for sentimentality and are looking more at the coin’s uniqueness.

Series collectors are those looking for a series of coins that mark every year and every design change made in that coin.

Type collectors are those people who are looking to get one of each coin where there were/are changes made.

Ancient coin collectors are those people looking for coins spanning the years 650 BC – 450 AD. This is the time when coins were invented and there were silver, gold and bronze versions made. It also marks the time when Roman emperors were the rulers and most of them feature famous Roman emperors, Roman towns, or gods.

Token collectors are those who are looking for different kinds of tokens that were used in exchange for real money when there was a lack of coins. These tokens were used as local currency even if the government had not given permission for them to be used.

Coins are also graded. A coin’s grading depends on its condition and the price of the coin will rely heavily on that grade. It is important for a coin collector to know how to grade a coin to make sure that he is not swindled by individuals looking for a quick profit.

“Uncirculated” coins are those coins that are not showing any wear and tear or to referred to as “in mint condition”. A mint state (MS) grading depends on a coin’s luster, contact marks, hair lines and overall appeal. A coin can have a grade ranging from MS-60 (dull luster) to a flawless MS-70. Although MS-70 is considered unobtainable, a grade of MS-65 and higher will make a coin’s price shoot up.

Circulated coins are more forgiving, they do not take into consideration the amount of scratches and dirt a coin has gathered along the years. Grades for circulated coins will vary. AU (about “uncirculated”), EF (extremely fine), VF (very fine), F (fine), VG (very good), G (good), AG (about good), F-2 (fair) and P (poor) are used as indication of how much a coin is worth.

These grades are dependent on a circulated coin’s luster, visible wear, design elements and visibility of letters and numerals. Unlike “uncirculated” coin’s grades, these grades do not dramatically lower a coin’s value. This is wonderful for people who are looking just to complete a collection and do not care about a coin’s mint condition.

Pricing of a coin will usually be determined by a coin’s supply and demand. Very low supply and very high demand will make a coin’s price higher; however, high supplies of the coins will depreciate a coin’s value.

Demand is usually established by coin dealers where they take into consideration the number of people wanting to buy or sell the coins. Once a coin becomes difficult to find, coin dealers will usually make its price higher so that people are inclined to sell extra copies of their coins.

Grading and pricing a coin usually takes a lot of experience to master. Although there are several tips and guidelines to look for in grading a coin, only professional dealers have the final say on how much a coin is worth. It does not hurt to know this grading is done and why your coin was graded differently from what you thought.

Coin collecting is not really about investment, it should be a fun and thrilling hobby. While the overall goal of a coin collector is to complete a set of coins, learning what to look for in a coin is important to make sure that no one can take advantage of your need to complete a particular set.
Source: articlesbase.com

What are Factors That Affect the Value of Coins

When one is just starting in coin collecting, often the first question is: “What is the value of the coin?: and the answer is that the coin will cost as much as you are willing to pay for it and the amount can vary considerably. For instance, a coin dealer’s offer can be much less than a coin collector that certainly wants your coin badly to add in his collection.

The following are factors that can influence the true value of a coin.

1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.

2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.

3. Bullion value. A coin's precious metal content can determine its value. A platinum, silver or gold coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.

4. Demand. There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.

For instance, “1916 D dimes” are much more abundant than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.

Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:

1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.

Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.

2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.

3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as "The Red Book" to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.

You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.

Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.

Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Have fun!
Source: articlesbase.com

The Perfect Time to Sell Coins

When is the perfect time to sell coins? This may be a dumb question if asked of a coin collector however timing really does make a difference. There are times when a collector wakes up in the morning and suddenly makes a decision to sell his precious collection of coins. There are also times that a collector needs to give up his coin collections due for personal reasons and the idea of selling his precious coins may be the most difficult part. No matter what the reasons are, it is a fact that this does occur in the life of a coin collector.

There are many reasons why coin collectors sell their coins - there are coin collectors who are dealers at as well. Selling coins is their option and they may use it to generate income so that they can acquire other coins that they like.

Some collectors travel in search of a coin they want and during that travel, they may encounter coins that may not be qualified for their own collection but they buy them anyway. Upon returning home, they sell the coins they have purchased and make use of the money to buy the coins they are looking for.

There are also coin collectors who gather coins not just as their hobbies; these coin collectors use the coins as their source of income. They make a living from selling the coins that they collect. Sometimes they sell the coins to other collectors and price them higher than the usual price of the coins and this is appropriate if the collector owns limited edition or rare coins.

On the other hand, some collectors sell their coins because of other factors. They may sell coins because of personal reasons. Collectors sometimes decide to “give away” their collection because they no longer have any option but sell their coins. This is the most difficult situation for coin collectors as they often value their coins and as much as possible would not want to give them away - the coins may be memorabilia or may have sentimental value to the collector.

Once a collector has decided to sell his coins, he must consider if it is really the right time to sell the coins. Is the collector ready to give away his coins? Is the coin at higher price now? Will it do well and will he benefit from selling his coins? These factors should always be considered.

There are other options available to determine where a coin collector could sell his coins. He may want to sell the coins at auctions. Many people now prefer the option of putting their belongings up for auction and this is not limited to coin collections.

There is also a higher chance of having the coin sold at a higher price since auctions include bidding processes. Buyers may bid for a higher price especially if the coin being sold is of rare quality and has a higher value.

A collector may also want to put up a website to advertise the coins that he would like to sell. The Internet is the easiest way for collectors to search for coins. In addition, putting the coin on the Internet will make the selling an easier task. The collector may put up his own website and place the pictures of his coins and some brief descriptions on it. He should also note how much he is willing sell them for.

There are other options too: the seller may want to do a dealer-to-dealer negotiation. He can go directly to coin dealers and sell his coins. The dealers then can sell the coins that they purchased to other dealers.

It is important to compare prices between one dealer and another as there is always a chance that one dealer may buy the coins at a higher price than other dealer. It is wise to shop for dealers and then decide which you one you want to deal with.

It is also recommended that collectors who decide to sell their coins use a coin grading service. It is very important so that the seller not end up a loser when he sells his coins. By using a grading service, the seller will be able to set a price that is based on the assessment made by the grading service who will determine the actual value of the coins.

Most importantly, coin collector should not clean their coins once they have decided to sell them. If they do, the value of the coins will depreciate.
Source: articlesbase.com

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Coins Minted In Gold, Silver And Platinum As Investments In Metal

Coin collecting goes back over many centuries. It is man's inborn nature to collect something. And coins are one of the most popular collectable objects. The collection of coins, whether by professionals or amateurs, is called Numismatics. This article is a list with the most popular coins made from precious metals. People always collect coins, especially ones which are minted from precious metals like gold, silver and in later years from platinum. The early technology of coin-making was very primitive for many centuries. And many sorts of coins had very varied shapes.

It is well known that the first coins were minted in Lydia (this kingdom was placed in the south western part of modern day Turkey) in about 560 BC. And those coins were made of gold. The first silver coins were coined in Greece, in the state city of Argos in about 700 BC.

The first platinum coins were coined in Russia in 1828. There were 3, 6, and 12 ruble coins. The minting of Russian platinum coins was stopped in 1844. Platinum coins were never used as widely as gold coins and silver ones. Some other countries minted coins made from platinum, but they were commemorative coins for collectors, not intended for daily use.

Every country has minted gold and/or silver coins. There was a long period when people used gold and silver coins as an instrument of payment in their daily lives. But from 1933 year making gold coins was almost stopped for daily use in all countries of the world. Many countries still mint coins from precious metals, but their minting is for commemorative coins that are not made for daily shopping, such as in supermarkets. This is because the precious metals scrap price of the precious metal present in most of these coins now is higher than their face value as legal tender coins. Precious metal refiners such as http://www.goldscrap.co.uk/ will accept all types of Gold, Silver and Platinum bullion coins and scrap metals, paying the highest rates for your investment bullion and coins.

There are almost as many reasons for collecting coins as there are people collecting them. First of all, gold, platinum, silver and other precious metals has always been one of the best ways for keeping and increasing your savings. This means gold, platinum and silver coin collections are a good idea for your investments. Really, sometimes your coin investments can increase in value from 25% to 100% per year. What Bank can offer you so large a yearly income? Of course, you are unable to get any cash until you sell your coins. Investment in gold coins, platinum coins and silver coins is not generally subject to reducing prices. Make sure, you chose a coin dealer that has a good reputation before you start to invest your money in any coins. Conduct research on how long a dealer has been in this business. Never purchase coins from an unknown dealer, if you cannot check his/her business reputation. Because there are a lot of swindlers trying to sell fake coins these days. So, be careful every time when you buy coins from new sellers.

Three main factors determine the value of coins - condition, rarity and age. The value of commemorative gold, silver and platinum coins is always more than their face value. And prices are growing quickly on many commemorative coins and coins bearing certain dates. In some cases, the price can increase by up to 200% in just one year! Also it is a very interesting hobby to collect coins. Every coin is a piece of the human history, and you can touch this history your own hand.
Source: ezinearticles.com

Why Coin Collecting is Very Interesting as a Hobby

Coin Collecting is fun for all ages. In a nutshell, a coin is a disc shaped piece of hard metal, issued by the governing bodies as a form of money transaction. Coins have been an integral part of money transacton for centuries now .In ancient times coins of all kinds were used as the primary form of currency. Coins such as Gold coins Silver coins even Platinum coins have been a very played a very prominent part in money transactions during medieval period.

As a collectors piece, coins are assessed of their value by their rarity their historical significance their condition and their demand with collectors.Coins Collecting is a very interesting hobby ,some collect coins as a hobby and some for business interests .Some collect coins for their genuine keenness to own a rare piece and some collect coins as a form of investment or for business purposes.

Collecting coins is a form of accumulating or say dealing of coins .Coins which are most recurrently collected are rare pieces which were in circulation for a very brief period before they disappeared,or coins which were minted with some kind of error ,collecting coins can also be collecting of very rare magnificent coins which date back to centuries and hold high value historically.

Collecting of coins has been a hobby for many centuries, then hobby of Kings and Aristocrats, collecting coins then was merely by choice and curiosity for rare art. Modern coin collecting began somewhere in the 14th century , the beginner being Poet Petrarch an Italian scholar is believed to own some of the finest coins ever found in history.

In Aug 1962 the first time ever international convention of coin collection was organized by the American Numismatic Association and the Canadian Numismatic Association. Collecting of coins usually begins by collecting and saving coins which you have received in circulation, but saved the coin as its unusual appearance caught your interest.

Coin collection can begin as a memory of an international trip , or by chance you receiving a very old coin in circulation. His occasional hobby of coin collecting can lead to becoming a very expensive hobby too, as sometimes rare beautiful pieces which catch you interest ca be priced at a very high value. On the contrary this hobby of coin collection can also in the bargain get you rich rewards in exchange for a historical coin which you managed to get your hands on.
People like Louis Eliasberg is a well known collector who is the only man who managed to collect a complete set of well know United States coins.

In Coin Collection the condition, the rarity of the coin is vital to place a value on it.
Coin collecting can become a very aggressive activity, as coin collectors keep thriving for collecting some of the most rare most unique and historical coin .Coin collecting can be of various kinds some are interested in collecting coins belonging to a particular nation ,some like collecting coins of various nations ,some are interested in coins only with historical significance where as there are collectors whose interest lie o error coins too.

While coin collecting as a hobby ca be very interesting, those who collect coins for business purposes have to have well enough knowledge in this field.
Coin Collecting - give it a try!
Source: coin-articles.com

How Coin Dealers Survive in These Competitive Field

Coin Dealers are people, too. YOu see, coins are a very vital mode of money transaction, since centuries our ancestors our forefathers grandfathers and even our children tomorrow will use coins for their daily circulation. Today banks have evolved the use of bank notes ,still for smaller denominations coins are used and will be used forever as a means of currency.

Coin collectors are those people who have a passion for coins ,coin collection may be for hobby as well as professional purposes. People who collect coins only as a hobby are known as coin collectors.

Coin Dealers are those coin collectors who collect coins for the purpose of trade, coin dealers are traders and dealers of coins who buy and sell coin for profitable purpose.
They buy and sell coins, on profit basis.

Coin dealers are different from coin collectors. Coin collection has been known as the hobby of the rich and famous .Coin collection is a very expensive hobby and further this small time hobby can further generate to become a full time profession.

A coin dealers work is very competitive activity, it's a full time profession where one has to be well skilled and experienced in identifying coins and grading them.

A common reason for dealing in coins is larger gains in shorter times. Coin dealers are quiet like investors as well as collectors, in a way they too collect coins. The only difference is they are not one specimen or hobby collectors or investors who would buy only valuable coins for investment. Coin Dealers would buy every coin they can lay their hands on, the only aspect they look out for is a good deal.

Coin prices depends a lot o the demand of a particular specimen ,in this aspect coin dealers are the one who create the demand for particular specimens. For example the demand for 18th and 19th century coins is always high and a coin dealers would easily be ably to make a profit on these specimens of coins.

Coin dealers are always on a look out for ancient rare coins ,in this case they can anticipate higher profits, coins from medieval times like the Roman , Greek Indian Parthian Ostrogothic coins are quiet popular with coin dealers. The most poplar of the lot are the Israelite coins these coins have originated from Israel and are very quiet popular with coin dealers. The most poplar of the lot are the Israelite coins these coins have originated from Israel and are very profitable for a coin dealer.

Coins are often a reflection of their times, as well as historical events that took place during that time, such historically significant coins fetch a very high price and are very popular among coin dealers.

While coin collecting is a hobby coin dealers are a full time profession, and any person entering this field professionally have to be well experienced and skilled. Grading is a very import and S factor while dealing with coins and a coin dealer has to be well versed in grading of coins too.
Source: thecoinalley.com

How Coin Price Guide Determines the Price of Coins

Coin Price Guides are useful among collectors. In brief, coins are tiny disk shaped metal pieces of currency. Coins come in various categories currency coins which are valued as per their face value, currency coins come with an amount printed on them and the printed amount is the price of the coin.

Rare and Historical coins are those which belong to centuries before us ,these coins are rare and very significant in finding out historical information of our ancestors ,these coins fetch a very high price in the market, the pricing of the coin is also based on the significance quality condition uniqueness and beauty of the coin.

Gold coins or Silver Coins, these coins are mostly bought as an investment the price of these coins usually depends on the market price. There can be no price guide as with the fluctuations of the economy the price of Gold and silver coins will also fluctuate.

Coin Pricing guide is based on certain criteria's-
*Coin must be made of valuable metal, the pricing of this coin will be close to the market price of the metal.
* Coin should be of standardized weight and purity.
*The marking of the marking on the coin has to be genuine and marked only by an authorized authority only.
* Pricing of the coin also depends on the date printed on the coin, as well as its historical significance.

Coin collectors from time to time come across such coins too which are very difficult in analyzing their price ,so clarify sometimes a coin may own a very unique coin whose price cannot be determined due to its unclear marking or worsened condition in such occasion the pricing of the coins is based on the demand the coin or how many coin collectors would be interested in your piece.

Sometimes a very unique coin would not be as well priced as a coin which is relatively plenty in nature and the simple reason would be as the coin is in more demand by the coin collectors. For example there are only 30000 dimes of the 17th century where as 20th century dimes are nearly 4,00,000 still the 20th century dimes are sold for higher value than the 17th century dimes the only reason being the 20th century dimes are more popular among coin collectors.

Generally coin price keeps varying, the general rule in the coin price guide is rarer the coin higher the coin value ,still there are some exception in this case too for example a 1913 marked Liberty head Nickel was sold for as high as $1,000,000 as there are only 5 pieces of such coins ,where as 1000yrs old Chinese coins were sold for not more than $100-$200 as there were number of these coins available.

Coin grade also influences the coin price guide, coin grade depends on the condition, better the condition higher will be the grade and higher will be the price the coin will fetch.
However one should remember monetary valuation of a coin is not everything, even if one coin does not have a high market value it does not loose its significance it can still be very much a part of your collection.
Coin Price Guides come in print (softcover and hardcover) and online in digital format.
Source: articlesbase.com

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

This is How Coin Prices are Determined

Coin Prices sure can vary. As coins are used as a primary form of money transaction for centuries together, nowadays there are various forms of currencies Bank Notes Paper Money Card Mony Wire transfer ,whereas in olden times barter was the main form of transaction then coins were minted and they became an integral part of transactions.

In the early century coins were usually made out of valuable metal like Gold Silver Platinum.
One of the earliest coins were produced in Lydians ,these gold coins have high historic as well as valuable metal ,so definitely these coins would be highly pirced.

Around 1933 all countries stopped using valuable metal for currency ,and the use of nickel copper became popular for making coins used as currency.
In today's times lower denomination money coins are used and Bank notes for higher denominations. Precious metal like Gold Silver Platinum coins are now minted only for the purpose of coin collection or for Investors.

Gold Silver Platinum coins are bought as an investment, as till date investing in these kind of coins is a safe and secure investment. Coin Prices for these valuable metal coins depends on the prevailing market price of the metal.

Coin Prices of these valuable coins also depends on their weight and purity of the metal.
Rare coins or Old coins are known as collectors item, basically only a coin collector is interested in a unique rare specimen ,which has no face value but high historical value.

Generally Coin Prices are generalized on basis of its condition the coins history its origin its uniqueness and its eye catching beauty and its design.

A rare coin with historical significance, is a steal historians are always after such ancient coins as coins help us gain a lot of knowledge of our ancestors. The historical importance the date the condition of the coin the mint the uniqueness all this will be taken into account while Pricing this coin. These rare coins are very high priced as they are very few specimens of the kind.
Coin grading also plays a very significant role n Coin Prices. The better the grade higher the value. As definitely a well graded coins are certified with authenticity and would fetch a good market price for the collector.

Sometimes Coin Prices also depend on the market demand of the coin, a coin may not be old rare or even have an historical significance but still would fetch a high Coin Price s the coin has a high demand in the collectors market.

Coins Prices need not be stable ,they fluctuate sometimes depending on the economy sometimes up and down in the coin collectors market.Coin Prices have to be careful verified before ,putting your savings into them. It is always recommended to verify the coin price and buy certified coins from proper experienced people as there are very strong chances of one being duped in this market.

In Coin Prices Coin grading plays a very vital role ,as grading certifies the authenticity and the true market value of the coin. So along with other factors grading is also given up most importance while fixing the Coin Prices.
Coin Prices sure can vary!
Source: ezinearticles.com

What Does Coin Purse Has to Do With Coin Collecting

Coin Purses can come in handy for men and women - and children. Established in 1968, the coin Purse is the oldest and the greatest coin dealer in Nashville's.
For the last 39 years Coin Purse has been the coin buyer as well as the coin appraiser for thousands of coin collectors of the World.

Note these facts:
The Coin Purse is said to have one of the largest collections of rare as well as currency coins.
The Coin Purse are known to be the most aggressive buyers for rare coins,they are forever upgrading their collection of coins and currencies for the privilege of their esteemed coin collectors.
The Coin Purse is known for its reputation in buying and selling well graded rare coins ,they work on a parallel level with the Local banks Lawyers as well as Government agencies in Tennessee, in buying selling as well as evaluating rare and old coins.

Coin Purse is said to own a large collection of coins ,of all specimens they are known to house not only rare old antique coins but also deal in valuable coins like Gold and Silver coins ,they have a large variety of Gold and Silver coins too ,they have Souvenir coins as well as Bullion coins in you are interested in investments .These coins come with certificates thus ensuring your savings.

They are also known to house as well as deal in the popular rare valuable cins like the Gold American Eagle ,Gold Buffalo ,Silver Eagles ,Canadian Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar.
Coin Purse deals only with authentic coins ,they deal in Bullion coins certified by banks or Government agencies.

Their rare and old coins are well graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) as well as NGC, and ANACS. Coin purse is by large one of the most professional coin dealers and their experienced guidance are certainly very beneficial.

Coin market is full of all kinds of coins rare coins valuable coins antique coins, it is very important to know the genuinity of the coin before pursing them .In this case professional agencies like coin purse turn out to be very useful as they ensure that you are not cheated with your money or investments. Rare old coins are very expensive and so it is up most important to check the authentication as well as obtain a grade certificate to ensure you are in a safe deal and your purchase has a resale value.

Coin collection is an expensive hobby, if one takes professional interest I them it is very important to take help for coin dealers like coin purse to ensure your investments.
Coin Purses are available online and off in all budget ranges.
Source: articlesbase.com

Basic Things to Remember When Choosing a Coin Sorter

Coin Sorter equipment can come in handy. A coin Sorter is a machine used for sorting of the coins into individual denominations and then coins are deposited into respective containers. The coin sorter makes use of the size, weight and shape of the coin to sort them. These coins are of selective sizes. It takes just few minutes to complete this task, which saves your lots of time. It is very useful at the places where transaction of large amount of coins takes place.

A coin sorter machine comprises of a vertically disposed hopper with a top entrance and exit at bottom for coins. This hopper is fixed mounted. It also has the rotating disc having flexible surface, which carries coins on its top surface. This rotating disc moves in a selected direction. There is also a drive motor for rotating this disc. A stationery plate is placed slightly away from flexible surface of the disc. This stationery plate has an area for placing coins in single layer and in single file. A guiding edge, which engages selective sized coins in a single file are guided along a prescribed path. The positions of engaged coins are determined by their respective diameters. Sorting area distinguishes between coins of different denominations and selects those coins for exiting them from rotating disc. These coins are then deposited at different locations according to their denominations.

High volume coin sorters can sort approximately 10,000 coins per minute. High volume coin sorters are super fast and have warranty of around 50 million coin sort. They have a capacity of handling large amount of coins. They are useful for bank and armored carriers. Low volume coin sorters have capacity of handling 3000 to 4000 coins per minute. They may have coin wrappers or coin drawers for sorting of different denominations.

While choosing your coin sorter you need to remember three basic things. Speed of coin sorter is the first thing. A coin sorter should sort the coins fast. Coins sorted are counted as coins per minute, which decides the speed of a coin sorter. Size of coin sorter is the second thing. If a business is small then a coin sorter having capability of sorting 3000 to 4000 coins per minute may be adequate. The same sized coin sorter can also be used for teller purposes. A large sized coin sorter can be inconvenient because it needs more room and is difficult to move around.

The Electronic Coin Sorter: The electronic coin sorter is designed to make the task of rolling coins faster. Press the button and drop your change into this coin sorter. Electronic coin sorter sorts your coins rapidly. Pre-formed coin wrappers perfectly fit into coin holders. The electronic coin sorter requires cell batteries to work with.

The Digital Coin Sorter: The digital coin sorter is one of the best types of coin sorters. Many different models of the digital coin sorters are available in market. Some are heavy-duty coin sorters, which handle large amount of coins per minute. Some are battery operated and small coin sorters, which handle just 20 coins at a time. Just by pressing a button one can view the counts of dimes, pennies, quarters and nickels.
Source: coin-articles.com

How the Coin Value of your Currency is Determined

Coin Value depends on several things. Focus on the facts,Coins are of course small disk shaped metal pieces used for money transactions.Until today coins played a very vital role in our day to day currency circulation. In today's times many new types payment modes have been introduced.

Bank noted credit cards paper money like travelers cheque wire transfer of money. For higher denominations we use Bank notes and coins for smaller day to day transaction.

Coins in the ancient times were made out of Gold Silver metal ,this practice was stopped by countries in the early 19th century, when metal prices shot up .

The face value of the coin is always of lower denomination so the metal used has to be of reasonable pricing too. As the economy grew Gold and Silver was stopped for currency coins, these expensive metals were used for producing Bullion coins which are bought only for the purpose of investing.

Nowadays metal copper and nickel coins have replaced the valuable metal for currency coins. Valuable Bullion coins like Gold coins Silver coins Platinum Coins are valued as per the prevailing market rate of the metal. Gold Silver and Platinum coins o not have fixed price they fluctuate as per the market fluctuations.

Coin values of other coins like currency coins is the face value of the coin, the amount printed on the coin is the value of the coin.

Coin Values of rare old coins is totally dependable ,there are many factors which determine the price of such coins like the historical significance of the coin the rarity the age the condition the mint mark ,all these are taken into account while valuation of the coins.

Coin Grading also plays a versatile role in coin values. Coins are graded keeping in mind all the aspects especially the uniqueness the age and the condition of the coin. Good coins can be marked as below

G-6 VG-8 VG-10 F-12 F-15 VF-20 VF-25 XF-40 XF-45 AU-50 AU-58 MS-60 MS-63 MS-65 MS-70.Where as average or poor coins are marked as PO-1 ,FR-2, AG-3,G-4.

A well graded coin is always valued at a higher price.Coin values are also determined on the demand of the coin , sometimes a rare old coin would not be highly priced as the demand for the coin among the coin collectors is low.

On the contrary a commonly circulated coin would fetch a higher price ,as the demand for that particular coin is relatively higher with con collectors.

Coin collection is an expensive hobby ,earlier this hobby belonged to Kings with the advent of various coins in circulation more and more people are getting interested in this hobby.

Coins are of high value so need to be verified thoroughly before investing money in it. Coin value as well as their grades are to be well checked before one invests any kind of money.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

How Coins Have Influenced our Lives From the 6th Century Bc

Coins are generally hard round pieces of metal that are used as currency and have ben used this way for centuries together. Coins are issued by the banks or Government . Coins are used for day to day circulation in daily life. Lower denomination are in form of coins where as higher denominations are issued in form of bank notes .

The gross value of the metal used in coins is much lower than the face value of the coin.
Exception to the currency coins are the Bullion coins ,coins made out of precious metal like gold silver and platinum. These coins are not used for currency, gold coins and silver coins as currency was ceased in 1933 when the gross value of the coin became higher than the face value.

Gold and Silver coins are not produced only as souvenirs or as collectors item or for investors.
Gold and Silver coins being very valuable are mainly produced for coin collectors ,or for investors who purchase these coins to safe guard their savings. These valuable coins are a good way of liquidating your investments ,in the United States financial planners are known to advice their clients to put at least 40 % of their savings in purchasing these Gold and Silver Bullion coins.

Every country mints Gold coins for their investors as well as coin collectors.United Stats mints the American Gold Eagle.Canada is known to mint the very popular Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
South Africa is known to mint the not so popular in demand the Krugerrand.

The face value of the U.S Eagle is 10$ ,though In this case the face value makes no difference as the gross value of the coin is much more ,the coin in this case is valued as per the prevailing market price of Gold metal. The Canadian Maple Gold leaf also has a nominal face value.

A great number of metals are used for the production of coins ,metals and alloys of all kinds are used for minting coins , earlier valuable metals like gold silver and platinum were used which then became collectors item or Bullion coins ,for currency the use of copper came into practice this too at some point when the metal value of copper increased had to be ceased after copper Nickel was very popular for small coins of cent and quarter .Nowadays steel is used practically for all the coins ,though plating and coloring of different kinds are given to create differentiation among the coins.

There are many types of coins
Currency coins are the ones used for day to day circulation ,the face value of these coins is the market value of the coin ,the gross value of the coin is lower than the face value.

Bullion Coins -Gold and Silver coins ,the coin value of these coins depends 100%on the market value of the metal ,a gold coin is priced as per the prevailing rate of the gold metal .Bullion coins are valued as per the cost of metal their standard weight as well as their purity. These coins are no more used In circulation, they are used as investors item .

Rare antique coins
These coins are collectors item , the value of these coins is determined by the rarity the age the condition the date of issue the mint mark of the coin . If the above criteria's are not met with the coin ,the coin is graded with a low grade and the market value of the coin is relatively low.
Certain coins have historical significance to their presence and such coins whatever be the condition are well priced n the collectors market.

Coins have been a part of our lives from the 6th century BC ,the first coin was minted by the Mahajanapadas of Indo- Gangetic Plan since then coins are an essential part of lives either in form of currency or In form of Bullion coins as investment.
Coins - go figure - and enjoy!

Rare Coin Valuation and Price Guides

Coin Price Guides are useful among collectors. In brief, coins are tiny disk shaped metal pieces of currency. Coins come in various categories that are valued as per their face value, currency coins come with an amount printed on them and the printed amount is the price of the coin. Rare and Historical coins are those that were made centuries before us, these rare coins are very significant in finding out historical information about our ancestors. Historical coins can fetch a very high price in the market; the pricing of the coin is also based on the significance, quality, condition, uniqueness and beauty of the coin. Gold coins or Silver Coins are mostly bought as an investment; the price of these coins usually depends on the market price. Due to fluctuations in the economy there are no set price guides therefore the price of Gold and silver coins also fluctuates. Coin Pricing is based on certain criteria's- * The coin must be made of a valuable metal; and the pricing of this coin will be close to the market price of the metal. * Coin should be of standardized weight and purity. * The marking on the coin has to be genuine and marked only by an authorized authority. * Pricing of the coin also depends on the date printed on the coin, as well as its historical significance. From time to time coin collectors come across coins that are very difficult to analyze a price, for instance a coin collector may own a very unique coin that cannot be priced due to its unclear marking or worsened condition, on such occasions the pricing of the coin is based on the demand of the coin or how many coin collectors are interested in the piece. Sometimes a very unique coin will not be as well priced, as a coin that is relatively plentiful in nature and this is simply because the more common coin is in higher demand by the coin collectors. For example there are only 30,000 dimes of the 17th century, where as there are nearly 4,000,000 20th century dimes, yet the 20th century dimes are sold at a higher price than the 17th century dimes, and this is only because the 20th century dimes are more popular among coin collectors. Generally coin prices keep varying, the general rule in the coin price guide is the rarer the coin the higher the coin value, still there are some exceptions as in this case; a 1913 marked Liberty head Nickel was sold for $1,000,000 as there are only 5 pieces of such coins, where as 1000 year old Chinese coins were sold for not more than $100-$200 as there were a number of these coins available. Coin grade also influences the coin price guide, coin grade depends on the condition, the better the condition the higher the grade will be and the higher price the coin will fetch. However you should bear in mind that the monetary valuation of a coin is not everything, even if one coin does not have a high market value it does not loose its significance as it can still be very much a part of your collection. If you are interested in pricing, you can get Coin Price Guides that come in print (soft cover and hardcover) and they are also available online in digital format.

What Affects the Value of a Coin ?

When just beginning in coin collecting, often the first question is: “What is the value of my coins?: and the answer is that the coin will cost as much as you are willing to pay for it and the amount can vary greatly. For example, a coin dealer’s offer can be considerably less than a coin collector that really wants your coin badly to add in his or her collection.

Here are some factors that go into finding the true value of a coin.

1. Grade or condition of the coin. Your coin will be worth or valued more when it is in good condition. When in a perfect or unblemished mint condition, an “uncirculated” coin will be worth many times more than a similar coin that has been in circulation.

2. The rarity of a coin is the principal basis for a coins value. Generally, the rarer that a coin is found to be, the higher it is priced. Do keep in mind that rarity has very little influence on the coins age. Chinese coins are a thousand years old normally sell for about ten dollars since there are so many of them; while a “1913 Liberty Head Nickel” can sell for up to or over a million dollars because only five specimens are known to be in existence.

3. What is the Demand? There are coins that are greatly in demand; sought after by many collectors, and if that a particular coin is in great demand the price will be even higher. Even comparatively plentiful coins can mandate higher value when they are popular with coin collectors.

4. Coin Bullion value. A coin's precious metal content can help determine its value. A platinum, gold or silver coin will not, in general sell for less than the coins value when melted.

For example, “1916 D dimes” are much more common than the “1798 dimes” yet in spite of this, “1916 D dimes” sell for so much more because there are many more individuals collecting 20th century dimes than 1700 dimes.

Here’s how you can determine the approximate value of your coin:

1. Properly, accurately, and correctly recognize and classify your coin, and know the to place value on that coin. You can do this successfully by examining your coin in a catalogue or online with the “coin price guide”; this will give you an idea of the going rate and price of your particular coin and you can determine the approximate value of your coin.

Everyday coin values are changing; so you need to use a “coin price guide” that is updated on a daily basis to obtain the current coin value. Look at online sites that offer step by step guidance on how to recognize your coin the proper way.

2. Grade your coin based on your thorough observation and examination of its current condition.

3. Consult coin catalogues for a list of retail prices in or estimates of your coins retail value. “A Guide Book of United States Coins”, popularly known as "The Red Book" to coin dealers and collectors, provides information on retail coin prices for US coins and is available in libraries, coin shops and bookstores. “The Standard Catalog of World Coins” (in volumes) is a guide commonly used by coin dealers and collectors as well, to provide information on world coins and is available in many public libraries.

You can also check current coin prices by basing it on the actual dealer coin price found in magazines and newspapers or online auctions such as Yahoo, Coin World, eBay or Teletrade.

Always keep in mind that you are not collecting coins primarily for money; you collect for enjoyment and self gratification, and profit is to be last consideration. The plain fact that a certain coin does not have a large monetary value, does not necessarily suggest that it is no longer interesting or fascinating or that it must not be included in your collection.

Each coin will have a certain interest in itself, regardless of the condition that it is in and regardless of its monetary value. There will always be a certain characteristic that will draw you to that particular coin; so when it does, then you should have it in your collection. Good luck!

Grading Coins In Coin Collecting - The 6 Types Of Coins To Know About

The quantity of the coins you hold does not judge your ability in coin collection. One other important thing that you have to keep in mind is the quality. The coins are graded on a scale of 0 - 70, which was introduced by Doctor William Shelby, and this process was called "Penny Whimsy".

Following are the methods in which the coins are graded:

1. Mint State Coins

These types of coins almost have a value of about 60 - 70 on the scale. This kind of coin has no flaws, whatsoever. Many coins that belong to this category are shiny, new, unworn, and uncirculated.

2. Almost Uncirculated Coins

"Almost Uncirculated" coins are rated 50 - 58 on Doctor Shelby's scale.

The coin collectors must always know the various locations of high points in this type of coin. The best way to check this coin is to see the difference in the light reflection in the various high points. This is the specialty of the "Almost Uncirculated" coin, and this is how it differs from mint state coins.

3. Fine Coins

These kinds of coins are further classified as:

(i) Extremely Fine Coins which range from 40 - 45. Mint luster will be present in this coin.
(ii) Very Fine Coins which range from 20 - 30 or even 35. These are the coins that could have been in use for around 1- 3 years, and the minor details might not be present anymore.
(iii) Fine Coins range from 10 - 20, depending on the closeness of the details in the coin. These coins generally are worn out, yet have their design.

4. Good Coins

These coins are of three types, "Very Good Coins, and "Good Coins" and "Almost Good Coins".

Most of the intricate details would have disappeared by now. But, the weak designs will still remain, and they can be observed. Otherwise, the high points in the coin are smooth.

Generally, the "Very Good Coins" get to have the full rims, and the mint mark, along with the date will be visible in case of "Good Coins". "Almost Good Coins are worn out!

5. Fair Coins

These kinds of coins are totally worn out, but they can be identified with what remains. As long as it is identifiable, it is good!

6. Basal Coins

These kinds of coins can be identified as coins, but then, what kind of coin it is, is hard to say.

These are the classifications in which the coins can be graded. Always remember that the grading knowledge of coins will give you an edge in your coin collecting spree.

Coin Collecting Software - Can Make Things Far Easier!

There are many people who enjoy the activity of coin collecting for their own personal fulfillment. Such people enjoy collecting coins as a hobby. Apart from being hobbyists, many people collect coins as an investment. These people invest their money in different coins of high value in the hope that one day these coins will turn in a profit for them.

Irrespective of the reasons coin collectors collect coins, this activity is a time consuming and endless process. There are literally million coins in circulation and different coin collectors consider collecting these. For instance, there are international coins, Statehood Quarters, limited edition coins and rare coins that are yet to be collected because they are still in circulation among consumers. Although a coin collector can collect just about any coin, most investors and hobbyists prefer to collect valuable coins.

But, as stated previously, finding these kinds of limited edition, rare and other such valuable coins takes a long time and needs a lot of patience and perseverance. Purchasing is the first factor that needs to be considered. There are a number of coin collectors who miss out on various options available to them while looking to increase their valuable coin collection. If you want to add valuable coins to your coin collection, the best way would be to meet professional coin dealers. There is also the option of using the internet and going to online auction websites.

Although it is ideal to seek help from online auction websites, coin dealers and the internet in order to increase one’s valuable coin collection, many people are not sure on how to select. The coin collecting software plays an important role here. There are many different formats in which coin collecting softwares come, but all coin collecting programs have a common goal; to make it easy for all hobbyists and professional coin collectors to collect coins.

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding coin collecting software involves the price. There are many softwares that are free and these are usually sought after. Although free coin collecting programs are available for downloading, these softwares are usually limited. There are many free softwar programs that provide the user with a list of coins that any enthusiastic coin collector will want to examine. Usually, these software programs give the user the option of checking out coins once acquired and added to the collection. From these points of view, free coin collecting software may seem ideal for organizations, but it is always a good idea to spend a little money, perhaps around $100, and purchase a professional program.

Coin collecting software, as stated previously, varies, but there are a number of professional coin collectors and hobbyists who prefer to pay for the software programs they use. These professional software programs, apart from outlining the worthiness of a coin, will also allow you to check off the coins that are in your collection. All values are kept current by regularly updating using the option of automatic updates like yearly updates.

As discussed earlier, all coin collecting software and in particular the paid ones benefit professional coin collectors and coin hobbyists. Even if you are not certain about using a software program to help you collect coins, it is always worth the shot to see what it is about. A few minutes online should do the trick as any ardent coin collector will not fail to see the many benefits of using a software for collecting coins.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Russian Coins Phenomenon

Reading latest news you could see titles like “Sale of Russian Ruble Paves the Way in Goldberg Coins Pre Long Beach Auction”, “Russian Ruble (1714/3 PCGS EF-45) fetching $46,800” and going through Russian Coin forums, you will see topics, such as “Russian Coins Prices are MAD” and “This hobby is becoming too expensive”.

Russian Coin market has exploded this year! The prices for most quality Imperial Russian Coins (pre 1917) has grown 100% and keep going up. Coin Dealers are confused and if you call most of them you will hear the same answer: “We don’t have any Russian Coins in the inventory right now. Russian Coin Market is hot.” So, who is buying Russian Coins and how it can be possible for the coins prices to grow 100% in just 1 year?

We believe, to understand what happened you will need to go back in the history. Russia went through very difficult times in 20th century; people struggled to feed their families and had little interest in expensive hobbies, such as collecting coins. A lot of silver and gold coins were melted down or converted to jewelry. We know how many Russians coins were minted, but no one knows how many coins survived through all these years of weak economy. Even now all Imperial Russian Coins can not be exported from Russia, so there circulation of such coins outside of Russia is limited to Russian coins smuggled illegally or Russian coins kept by generations of Russian immigrants.

You could see that demand for Russian coins started to grow 5 years ago when Russian economy just started to recover. It’s easy to conclude that the recent growth in Russian coin prices is related to booming Russian economy. In fact, if you compare results of coin auctions in Russia with Russian coin auctions outside of Russia, prices for the same Russian coins outside of Russia are 10-30% below than inside of Russia! The demand is coming from Russia itself where more and more people find investing in coins to be very rewarding. Russian coins on European and North American auctions are bought through proxies and coming back to Russia and western Russian coins inventories, which were not very good from the beginning are depleting. There is a huge demand, which drives the prices up and with quality Russian coins going to private collectors and investors you can find that some rare coins sold in the auction in January are selling for twice as much in June. This is unbelievable 100% Return on Investment in 5 months!!! And, people were saying stock market brings highest returns. The one million dollar question is for how long the prices for Russian Coins can growth and would this market overheat and crash one day.

We know that every market has its ups and downs and 100% growth is not sustainable in the long term. From the other hand, if we compare coin prices for British and American coins to Russian coins, we can still see that rare Russian coins are still selling for much less than British or American coins of such rarity. For the largest country in the world with, such an interesting history, Russian coin market is still in the developing stages and we believe it will be booming while Russian economy is doing well and a lot of experts suggest that Russia might finally have a bright future.

If you are interested in taking a part of this rally and have little or no knowledge on Russian coins, following are some suggestions, which you will need to consider. As in any growing market there are people, who are trying to exploit and profit from it in a fast way. There are more and more fakes of Russian coins, which are coming to the market, which are worthless, but can be sold to inexperienced collectors or investors for thousands of dollars. People looking for bargains are ending up buying these fakes without realizing that they were cheated. Our advise it to stick to the coin dealers, who specialize in Russian coins, there are still some, such as www.MyCoinDealer.com, which have quality Russian coins in the inventory. Avoid auction sites, such as Ebay, where (don’t be surprised) a lot of Russian coins sold as original will end up to be copies! Buy coins certified by NGC, ANACS or PCGS. Apart from certifying that coin is genuine, certified Russian coins are graded according world standards. When you buy “raw” (uncertified) Russian coins, which is a high possibility they are overgraded or can end up to be cleaned or worse - fakes. You pay a premium on certified coins, but it’s worth it. The fact is that even experts can’t tell if the coin is fake by looking at the picture and without certified agencies, coin market would be doomed. Try to do some research to learn about coin grades, clean coins, coin toning and coin varieties, we suggest you to visit http://www.mycoincollecting.com/ to read more information on these topics. For example, Liberty Gold Dollar of 1879 would cost you around $350 in (AU) About Uncirculated grade and $7000 in Uncirculated MS-67 grade and if you haven’t seen a lot of these coins you won’t even tell the difference between the 2. Our advice, that you should buy VF-30 – XF-45 1700-1810 Russian coins and AU or MS-65 1810-1917 Russian coins. These experienced the highest market value growth in the recent years and we believe will keep going up. Russian Gold Coins and Platinum Russian Coins were appreciating fast because of the recent growth in Gold prices, so if you believe the price for gold is going up and can afford such coins, you might find to look at Russian Gold Coins a bit closely.

To summarize, Russian Coin market is still maturing and although 100% increase in price in 1 year seems crazy, it can be explained that Russian coins were overlooked in the past and were very cheap before and just start to get appreciation and demand they deserve in the recent years.

The History of Gold Coins Issued by Usa

The first gold coins in the United States were issued back in 1795. The Unites States Mint set the value of the U.S. Dollar at 24 grains of gold. The value was based in accordance with the world price on the precious metal, which at that time was $19.39 per troy ounce.

The U.S. gold coins started to be issued in seven different mints around the country as the Western Frontier of the Unites States began its expansion. The mints were set from Philadelphia to San Francisco. The sizes of coins varied from one dollar gold piece to fifty dollar denomination. It is worth mentioning that at that time the U.S. mints issued coins that were worth their weight in gold.

In 1834 and 1837 U.S. Congress modified the gold specifications by setting the price of gold at a mark of $20.67 per ounce. When the Great Depression occurred in 1933, President Roosevelt made gold an illegal asset for the citizens of the United States. During this period, by Roosevelt's order, all gold coins were returned to U.S. Treasury and the melted into gold bars. After that the value of the U.S. dollar coin was set to $35 per ounce. The global outcome was to decrease by 40 percent the buying power of the dollar

When millions of gold coins were melted into gold bars, they became very rare and thus highly sought by various collectors. According to money experts only about one percent of gold coins can be found today. Each gold coin that survived till nowadays is highly valued by collectors and investors.

Every gold coins minted in the United States before 1933, is valued on individual basis according to its date, rarity, appeal among various collectors and its grade.


What is Rare Coin Grading Worth?

Coins that fall under the category "rare" are graded on ANA (American Numismatic Association). The scale ranges from 1 to 70. Coins are certified authentic and then PCGS or NGC, two leaders in providing coin grading services. For example a gold coin graded 1 has a slightly visible date, very wear and its value is a little above its weight in gold or precious metals. Obviously the better the coin is preserved the more a collector or investorinvestor in willing to pay for it.


Double Eagles

1933_double_eagle_gold_coin_reverseVery often a collector starts his Gold Coin Collection of U.S. coins minted before 1933 with a $20 Double Eagle. Note that from 1849 to 1907 U.S. Mist issued the Liberty series. The Mint then changed the design of the Double Eagle into Saint-Gaudens. The latter were minted in the period between 1907 and 1933.

Starting a collection of Pre- 1933 U.S. gold coins is advantageous for several reasons:

"Pure Gold Content" - this means that each coin includes almost 1 troy ounce of gold.

"A Double Profit Opportunity" The gold market is continuously changing and $20 Double Eagle gold coins already have a history showing the continuously rising value, which goes 2 to 3 times higher in value if compared to the gold bullion alone.


The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle Coin

One of the most valuable, if not the most valuable, coin is considered to be the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle. It actually was never officially issued. Still it appeared from 1907 until 1932. Although in 1933 there were 445,500 Double Eagle minted, none were released into circulation because of the changes made in currency laws during the Great Depression.

The result of the Great Depression was that president Franklin Roosevelt took America off the gold standard. The gold coins were drawn out of circulation and afterwards were not issued anymore. Besides, people had to return the ones they had

Later, in 1933, the Double Eagle coins were declared illegal. It was prohibited to own any of the gold coins, unless they had a collectible value.

The same year Gold Double Eagle coinsGold Double Eagle coins were ordered to be melted by the U.S. Mint. By 1937 billions of gold bars were made out of these unique coins.

A few coins have escaped from being melted down. In1933 two of them were given by the Mint to the U.S. National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institute. These two Gold Double Eagle coins were known as the only legal specimens to ever become part of a coin collection. Still by 1952, eight additional coins were discovered. These were confiscated by the Secret Service.

Today 19 of the some of most valuable 1933 Gold Double Eagle coins are owned by a Philadelphian jeweler, Israel Switt.

Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 1)

The Value of Gold in a Era of Paper Assets, Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds...

The facts behind the increasing demand for gold and silver, rare coins, and historic collectibles from the U.S. Mint...

No other substance on Earth embodies the unique characteristics of gold. Its yellow luster and beauty are unsurpassed. Since the earliest days of man, it has been admired, molded, shaped, and worn as a symbol of wealth and good taste.

The romance and lure of gold is enhanced by its historic use as a storehouse of wealth. Gold's value is intrinsic. Its value is a measure of the true wealth and the stability of national currencies the world over. Throughout history, every paper currency has become totally worthless over time; yet gold remains.

The precious metal gold cannot be created or destroyed or altered. It forever remains one of the most liquid investments with no geographic boundaries. Gold is bought, sold, traded, and stored in most parts of the free world with complete privacy. Likewise, U.S. gold coins enjoy many of these unique advantages.

In a world where paper currencies come and go, where paper money can be depreciated 25% to 30% overnight, the price of gold cannot be manipulated by any single nation or borrower. On the contrary, gold is the foundation of today's world monetary system.

Acquiring U.S. gold coins put you in great company through American history. Prior to 1933, all U.S. paper currency was backed dollar for dollar by gold reserves. Today, paper dollars are backed only by a government promise, nothing more.

For investors who value gold, they recognize the safety, privacy and instant liquidity of U.S. gold coins. As official legal tender, each coin has a guaranteed weight and gold content.

Numismatic coins, especially the pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are highly sought after by astute collectors and investors for more than their pure gold content. The Saint-Gaudens, the Liberty series, and the Indian Head U.S. gold coins are admired and collected worldwide for their historical significance, beauty, and rarity.

Unlike gold that is minted by the tons annually, U.S. Gold coins minted prior to 1933 have a fixed and limited supply. No more will be minted ever and the older they get, the more highly prized they become as important pieces of American history.

We hope your visit will encourage you to add more rare and valuable U.S. gold coins to your collection and to learn how to build sets that will appreciate in value and be greatly admired for many generations to come.

Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 2)

How to Collect Rare Coins
For Fun and Profit

Time has proven that collectors tend to make the most money in rare coins because they search out "undervalued coins" and buy during market lulls. Buying in today's market climate offers you superb upside profit potential.

PUT IN PERSPECTIVE – Rare coins have an extremely limited, fixed supply which has historically increased in value when demand overwhelms availability. This fact is documented in the enclosed "Dow-to-Gold Report." It clearly shows how rare coins go up as well as down in price with varying market cycles. We believe the most successful Rare Coin portfolios were built in down markets by systematically assembling a variety of choice, rare, and desirable coins, with a three to five year, or longer, holding period in mind.

HAVE A PRECISE FOCUS – Thousands of coins have been issued over the past 200 years. Very few collectors are experts on more than a few types of coins. For that reason alone, it's important to build a relationship with a firm that employs a team of knowledgeable Rare Coin Specialists and Numismatic Experts that are recognized as pillars of authority throughout the industry. Together, we can help you define your areas of interest, your investment goals, and our team of specialists can then guide you to a specific area of U.S. Coins designed to be both profitable and extremely enjoyable.

THE FOUR FACTORS FOR SUCCESS – To profitably build a balanced and diversified Hard Asset Portfolio, you need to know the driving forces behind the U.S. Rare Coin Market:

* STRONG DEMAND – We recommend U.S. Rare Coins that have a broad base of both active investors and collectors. The more wealthy, sophisticated, and avid the base of buyers in an area, the more successful your portfolio should be in the long run.

* SMALL SUPPLY – We recommend U.S. Rare Coins of the highest quality for the date that you can afford. These are always the hardest to find, most desirable collector coins and have historically been top market performers. In our opinion, these coins are always in demand by collectors and will be the easiest coins to liquidate later, and turn the best profits.

* STRONG PERFORMANCE HISTORY – Take the time to review the price history of any rare coin you purchase. Rare coins that have a good history of 200% to 300% price increases during recent bull markets, usually offer your an excellent profit potential in the next hot market. While past performance is no guarantee of future value, undesirable coins are losers in any market. It is of utmost importance to remember that each rare coin must stand on the value of its own individual merit related to grade, price, eye appeal, and rarity.

* GENUINELY RARE – Finally, we recommend you acquire a selection of Genuinely Rare United States coins. There are fundamentally two ways to determine a coin's rarity. That is "Condition Rarity" and "Absolute Rarity." Condition Rarity is a coin that is rare in higher grades. Some coins are common in worn, circulated grades, yet there could be only five coins known to exist in higher mint-state grades of MS-63 to MS-65. Absolute Rarity is a coin that is rare in any grade. These are truly desirable gold coins that are hard to locate and acquire in all grades. These few coins that are Absolutely Rare in any grade are the "Blue Chip Recommendations" of the U.S. Rare Coin Market.

Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 3)

Putting Rare Coin Market Cycles to Work for You...

Until recently many people believed U.S. stocks would go up forever.

However, recent crashes in high tech stocks and the overall stock market correction left many investors with huge losses. Clearly, market cycles are changing.

The return of high inflation, combined with a slowing economy, suggests it's more important than ever to move into safer, more profitable investments in the coming market cycle.

Balance and Diversify Your Portfolio - We believe you can profit handsomely by diversifying your portfolio with investments currently undervalued. Everyone agrees gold, hard assets, and commodities have been out of favor in the past decade. For many reasons, we feel these sectors are most likely to be top performers in the next market cycle.

Move To Hard Assets in Bad Economic Climates - For that reason, it’s important to consider moving into hard assets, gold, and U.S. Rare Coins. Prices are attractively low today compared with past market highs. The table below details recent cycles for the U.S. Rare Coin Market showing increases ranging from 348% to 1,195%.

$1,000 Invested in Rare Coins Worth $57,977 - Collectors Universe researched the U.S. Rare Coin Market carefully based on a study of 3000 Rare Coins. The graph above shows $1,000 invested in rare coins in 1970 would be worth $57,977. The conclusion is that U.S. Rare Coins have produced superior profits over gold bullion or Dow Stocks.

Buy Rare Coins During Market Lulls - Since January of 1970, the U.S. Rare Coin Market has had eight very definitive market cycles. There have been three complete Bull and Bear Market cycles since 1970. To maximize profits, collectors prefer to acquire coins that are currently undervalued. They hold their coins and wait until a Bull Market when investors move in and bid up coin prices– then they sell and take their profits.

The most profitable period for the U.S. Rare Coin Market showed increases of 1,195% from December of 1975 through March of 1980. This market cycle parallels a time of high inflation in the U.S., rising gold prices, and a very weak economy– a market cycle that appears to be on the horizon ahead.

Other Rare Coin Market cycles since 1970 showed increases of 665% and 348%. Past performance is no guarantee of future value, but it is an indication of just how volatile and profitable collecting U.S. Rare Coins can be in uncertain economic climates when there's a flight to safety from stocks to hard assets.

Successful Coin Collector

So you want to become a successful coin collector. Well you have some simple concepts that you must learn in order for you to become a good coin collector, and lets face it, if you don't learn some key rules for collecting coins, you are not going to enjoy collecting coins.

* Well I would say that EDUCATION would be the most important factor for anyone to be a successful coin collector. Learn as much as you can about this wonderful hobby. Buy as many books and reading material on all aspects of coin collecting that you can get your hands on. This may even include subscribing to a few coin collecting magazines like Coin World. There are many online organizations, some listed on this site, that you can read about just about anything that there is to know about the hobby of collecting coins.
* Learn to be a coin collector. A true collector collects coins for the right reasons. It is what he loves to do, it is a true passion for him. It is what interest them the most and they study the market and learn what it is they are purchasing. Most collectors build collections for not only the feel of the hobby, but to make money as well. A true collector is building an investment and knows what he wants out of his collection.
* Make sure you know where to get the information you need to succeed in hobby. Coin magazines, brokers, and newsletters in the hobby are a great way to keep up with what is going on in the coin industry. In my opinion the greatest place to find information on the coins that you are looking to collect are from dealers and other collectors. Working with your local coin dealer, who is established and well informed would be one of your greatest relationships that you will have in your hobby.
* Another asset in con collecting is learning to grade your coins. Knowing how to grade coins will not only help you purchase your coins more accurately, but it will help you to identify with your coins to know their true grade and getting a better understanding of what your coins are worth. Lots of money is spent on purchasing coins without the knowledge of knowing what the true grade of the coin is. The coin collector assumes the person or dealer that he is buying the coin from is knowledgeable himself and trust him. This is not a very trusting practice, and in the end it could result in your spending lots of money on your coin collection.
* In the hobby of coin collecting, you will learn patience. Coin collections are built over many years, and beginner collectors will most often rush into collecting coins, with out learning the hobby first. This is a long term hobby, and some of the best and successful coin collector are collectors having 10+ years under them. If you are planning on collecting coins for profit. It is advisable to buy your coins with the intention that you are going to keep them for at least 10 years. This will insure that you will get a reasonable return on your coins.
* Having long and short term goals is the key to being successful in anything that you do. Well this holds true with coin collecting. Make sure you know what, where, how, and when, when it comes to coin collecting. Knowing your goals will help you become a successful coin collector and make your hobby more enjoyable.