It’s ironic in our hobby that the preferred method of preserving rare coins is the one that causes them the most damage. What’s worse is that sellers on eBay, Proxibid, and Hibid typically do not state that coins have pin scratches, as this one has. I won it in a Bauer Auction with a bid […]
One more chance: Roosevelt dimes
My last post was titled “Last chance Roosevelt dimes: When to give up on grading,” stating that I had become unsure of my grading skills as well as those in the major grading services, feeling I was at fault, or they, or both concerning inconsistent grades on this denomination. Normally I send most of my […]
Last chance Roosevelt dime: When to give up on grading
Coin collecting is a lot like gambling when you get lucky — as I did with this spectacular 1964 Roosevelt dime — won with a $27 bid in Capitol Coin Auction and which graded MS-67+, worth $750. Here’s how it looked in the Proxibid auction: Here’s the PCGS certification: After that jackpot experience, I was intent on […]
Auction overview: NGC label flubs, PCGS yellow inserts, worst online buy, and more!
Every now and then I spot issues that might interest Coin Update viewers. Each of these coins, holders, and numismatic tidbits are not worth an entire column — but certainly can pique your interest — especially if you bid online in portals like Proxibid and Hibid.com. That’s when we do an overview. We’ll start with NGC’s […]
The great coin swap: Get wise about online buys
I am so discouraged by unethical practices on eBay, Proxibid, Hibid.com and other Internet venues that I am going to disclose a trick here that should discourage anyone from overbidding anymore on “unopened” Mint and Proof sets. Then we’ll wrap up with other common “swaps” that entail removing toned or desirable coins from rolls, holders, […]
Sky-high rainbow toned eagles: Bid carefully
Three years ago on this site, I warned bidders to snatch toned American silver eagles, especially PCI-rainbow ones, before prices skyrocketed. The post was subtitled “Get ‘Em While You Can.” I hope you managed to do that because the prices being asked on eBay and other portals are bordering on outrageous. This one on eBay […]
Grading Uncirculated Peace dollars
You would think that a coin as large as the Peace dollar, with generous fields, would be easier to grade than most other denominations. But that’s not the case, as they tend to rank as one of the most difficult to grade because so much more than the condition of devices plays a key role […]
Can you pass the no-bid coin test?
Below you will find a dozen screen shots of problem coin lots that a knowledgeable hobbyist would never bid on. Can you identify the issue on the coin, label, flip, or description? I’ll provide a hint with each sample. Answers will be provided at the end of the post. 1) “Open Sesame” 2) A Case […]
GreatCollections and honest numismatic photos
Before sharing an interview with GreatCollections President Ian Russell concerning his company’s practice of providing honest numismatic photos, I want to discuss the dishonesty and risk of buying coins with altered or poor photos. Here’s a poor photo of a coin that I took a risk with, bidding based on a Proxibid lot that didn’t […]
Review of NGC versus PCGS
Last year at this time NGC chairman Mark Salzberg made this announcement, on which he expanded at the beginning of 2017: [A]ll coins currently in NGC Registry sets—including those graded by other services—will be allowed to stay in those sets. There will be no NGC Registry point deductions or rank changes for these coins or sets. […]
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