| |
| |
|
Investing Information |
|
|
|
Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 5)
Grading coins The condition of a coin is commonly summarized by a grade. Because the value of collectible coins often varies dramatically with grade and overly generous grading is not uncommon, reasonable grading proficiency is an important skill for collectors. The material presented here is intended only as an introduction to the subject. Grading is a skill that can only be developed over time through referrals to grading guides, consultation with experienced collectors and dealers, and lots of practice. Published standards set objective criteria for grading, yet some amount of subjectivity is inevitable -- even expert graders will often assign slightly different grades to the same coin. While you can often ask an experienced grader for an opinion, being able to make your own reasonable assessment of grade is your best protection. An overview of American Numismatic Association standards follows. ANA standards are widely used in the U.S. but are not the only system used. Much of the rest of the world uses the grades Fair, Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, Uncirculated and Fleur-de-coin. Numerals used in coin grades have been taken from the Sheldon scale (see Glossary). Uncirculated Coins Coins with no wear at all are referred to as uncirculated or in mint state (MS). Grades from MS-60 to MS-70 in one point increments are used for mint state coins. Criteria include luster; the number, size and location of contact marks; the number, size and location of any hairlines, and the quality of the strike and overall eye appeal.. An MS-60 coin may have dull luster and numerous contact marks in prime focal areas, as long as there is no wear. To merit MS-65, a coin should have brilliant cartwheel luster (attractive toning is permissible), at most a few inconspicuous contact marks, no hairlines, and nearly complete striking details. Grades from MS-61 to MS-64 cover intermediate parts of this range. Truly exceptional coins may be graded MS-66, MS-67 or, if absolutely flawless, as high as the theoretical maximum of MS-70. Many numismatists consider MS-70 to be an unobtainable ideal. Terms such as brilliant uncirculated (BU), choice BU, gem BU, select BU and premium BU are still used in lieu of numerical grades by some dealers, auctioneers and others. Correlations between these terms and the numeric MS grades are difficult at best, because of inconsistent usage and in some cases overgrading. Market values for many uncirculated coins vary dramatically from one grade to the next. Remember that whether a coin is described with a numerical or an adjectival grade, it's only someone's opinion. Until you are comfortable with your ability to grade uncirculated coins, make liberal use of other opinions, such as those available with slabbed coins or from experienced collectors and dealers you trust, or concentrate on circulated coins. Circulated Coins For circulated coins the grade is primarily an indication of how much wear has occurred and generally does not take into account the presence or absence of dings, scratches, toning, dirt and other foreign substances (though such information may also be noted). ANA grading standards recognize 11 grades for circulated coins (listed here with brief, generic descriptions): AU-58, very choice about uncirculated: just traces of wear on a coin with nearly full luster and no major detracting contact marks AU-55, choice about uncirculated: small traces of wear visible on the highest points AU-50, about uncirculated: very light wear on the highest points; still has at least half of the original mint luster EF-45 or XF-45, choice extremely fine: all design details are sharp; some mint luster remains, though perhaps only in "protected areas" EF-40 or XF-40, extremely fine: slightly more wear than a "45"; traces of mint luster may show VF-30, choice very fine: light even wear on high points, all lettering and design details are sharp VF-20, very fine: most details are still well defined; high points are smooth F-12, fine: major elements are still clear but details are worn away VG-8, very good: major design elements, letters and numerals are worn but clear G-4, good: major design elements are outlined but details are gone; for some series the date may not be sharp and the rim may not be complete. AG-3, about good: heavily worn; date may be barely discernable While coins more worn than AG are rarely collected, two additional grades are nevertheless used to characterize them: F-2, fair -- very heavily worn; major portions may be completely smooth P-1, poor, filler or cull -- barely recognizable While not included in the ANA standards, intermediate grades like AU-53, VF-35, F-15 and G-6 are used by some dealers and grading services. When a grader believes a coin is better than the minimum requirements but not nice enough for the next higher grade "+" or "PQ" may be included (e.g. MS64PQ or VG+) or a range may be given (e.g. F-VF). Split Grades When there are significant differences between the obverse and reverse sides, a split grade may be assigned. Split grades are denoted with a "/". For example, "F/VF" means that the obverse is F and the reverse is VF. The overall grade is often determined by the obverse. An intermediate value may be appropriate when the difference is significant, especially if the reverse is lower. A coin graded MS-60/61 would be considered to have an overall grade of MS-60, and another at MS-65/63 could be considered to have an overall grade of MS-64. Steve is the ceo of cashgcards-goldlynks rare/gold coin club he was the best isp in 1997 check out his about us page at http://goldlynks.tripod.com this article is free for distribution you can sign up for a free email course on buying and selling rare/gold coins for profit by sending email to goldcoinsinfo@yahoo.com membership of the coins club is free to join at http://goldlynks.tripod.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Coca-Cola - A Value Stock? There has been much talk lately about Coca-Cola and its potential as a value stock - as it now spots a dividend yield of 2.6% (which is the highest dividend yield since the late 1980s) and a P/E or less than 21 - right at the bottom of its five-year low. An Old Dividend Stock Investment Idea, for a New Generation Death and taxes! The certainties of life! And then, of course, there are the mortgage payments, the utility bills, phone bills, the car payments and thirsty automobiles. Add that to the grocery and clothing bills, and there appears to be more then just death and taxes as certainties of life. Making It Second Nature Not long ago I was laying on my son's floor throwing one of his toy balls back and forth in the air to myself and I had a strange revelation. I noticed that as I threw the ball up in the air my left arm automatically started to move to where the ball was going to come down. Investing in New Zealand - Learn how to Find Unique Investment Opportunities Investing in New Zealand might be much easier than investing in other western countries, thank to the excellent infrastructure, the low taxes and the assistance of the supportive NZ government.Technological Face of New ZealandNew Zealand has a unique reputation within the global market place. Investing in Car Dealerships: How to Do It Right The financial characteristics of the automobile dealership are attractive:". . Exchange Traded Funds They call 'em ETFs.There are hundreds of them. It's Not the Size of Your Bank Account You might think that if you win the lottery or get a huge raise, all your problems will be solved. Sounds logical, right? Well, it might sound logical, but it isn't. Protecting the Tax Advantage of Your Deferred Compensation The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 imposed strict new rules on non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Beginning in 2005, deferred compensation programs that are not in compliance with the new rules may be taxed as wages, slapped with a 20% excise tax, plus charged an interest penalty. The Conflict of Interest Game Disgruntled investors are going after Wall Street once again, this time accusing one of investment bank Morgan-Stanley's high-tech mutual funds of making biased stock picks.Recent lawsuits allege the Morgan Stanley Technology fund was influenced to buy and hold stocks of companies that delivered huge investment banking fees - or could potentially bring big business - to the investment bank. How to Choose the Right Share Class You'll want to opt for the no-load or institutional share class instead. If you're a no-load investor who is determined to buy a fund that's primarily broker-sold, go through a supermarket and opt for the D shares. High Volatility Investments Penny stocks and options are high volatility investments that attract both the trader and the long term investor because of the small amount of capital required to make substantial gains as compared with less volatile higher priced stocks. The long term investor buys a stock believing that a company's value will increase over time and the stock price along with it. Financial Planners "Financial planners are like dentists: they may occasionally inflict pain, but in the end, you will be better off for following their advice!"Whoever wrote these lines must have either been a financial planner or someone who relied heavily on planners for finance management. We all know that planning our finances is vital. Investing 101: Risk Terminology - BETA About thirty years ago, statisticians armed with all of theirstatistical theories began to confront the financial markets. Ahandful of useful tools emerged that the average investor shouldbe familiar with when they look to purchase stocks. Shop More, Save More for College Gimmick or Reality? The man sat in a chair beside a dressing room at a Tampa, Fla. maternity store. Wit and Wisdom on Money, Wall Street and Success - Part #4 Can you concisely summarize your investment philosophy in a few sentences? My experience is that most people can't. The quotes that follow are diamonds that offer a real powerful education in the world of Risk Management. The Real Cost of a Bad Habit What is the value of a good habit? Think of some daily habits, like brushing your teeth, or buckling a seat belt, or flushing. All of these habits have value important to some part of life. Short Selling for Investors Shorts. Let's see. Creating a Financial Future--Putting Your Plan Into Action Part 2 Real Estate can be a useful tool for investing. The simplest real estate investment is not truly an investment, but a cost-reduction - that is owning your own home. Retirement is Never Urgent Until If you're like many people, your retirement savings have not been growing consistently over the years. We're not referring to the wild fluctuations in the stock market, but rather the fluctuations in our short-term needs. Useful Tips on Investing Here are some useful tips on investing. When you make an investment, you are giving your money to a company or an enterprise, hoping that it will be successful and pay you back with even more money.
|
| home-bondsnstocks.com | site map |
| © 2007 |
