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The Royal Mint, along with the American-based Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, have announced (15th September) the formation of a partnership to offer coin collectors and investors encapsulated, authenticated, and graded products from the Royal Mint’s portion of new releases
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The Royal Mint, along with the American-based Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, have announced (15th September) the formation of a partnership to offer coin collectors and investors encapsulated, authenticated, and graded products from the Royal Mint’s portion of new releases
A 2020-S Maryland Innovation dollar and a 2019-S New Jersey Innovation dollar, both holdered reverse up with the ASF special label. Hover to zoom
1914 half eagle graded NGC MS-66. Hover to zoom
1914 half eagle graded NGC MS-66. Hover to zoom
In my last column, I noted how I purposely sent two PCI Morgan dollars with specific PCI Silver Eagles bearing similar toning and patterns, testing PCGS to see if it would cross over the Morgans.
My “Economy” submission came back with graded Eagles and DNC (Did Not Cross) Morgan dollars, as depicted in the photo below
In my last column, I noted how I purposely sent two PCI Morgan dollars with specific PCI Silver Eagles bearing similar toning and patterns, testing PCGS to see if it would cross over the Morgans.
My “Economy” submission came back with graded Eagles and DNC (Did Not Cross) Morgan dollars, as depicted in the photo below
This NGC certification label for a 1965 SMS Nickel shows how NGC attributes SMS coins. Hover to zoom
This NGC certification label for a 1965 SMS Nickel shows how NGC attributes SMS coins. Hover to zoom
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Two Collectors Receive Grand Prize for Finding First 2020-W U
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Two Collectors Receive Grand Prize for Finding First 2020-W U
I have been collecting PCGS Silver Eagles for more than six years, marveling at their toning. You can see my PCGS Showcase set by clicking here
A Gold Buffalo with the NGC Tatanka Special Label and a Silver Eagle with the NGC Silver Eagle Label and Black “Retro” Holder, all available exclusively to bulk submitters. Images by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
A Gold Buffalo with the NGC Tatanka Special Label and a Silver Eagle with the NGC Silver Eagle Label and Black “Retro” Holder, all available exclusively to bulk submitters. Images by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
I have been collecting PCGS Silver Eagles for more than six years, marveling at their toning. You can see my PCGS Showcase set by clicking here
2020(P) Silver Eagle with the Emergency Production attribution. Hover to zoom
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is working with fraud victims and federal law enforcement agencies
(Fallbrook, California) May 26, 2020 — A fraudulent advertisement for bullion coins on Facebook, fake encapsulation holders, and requests for expert help from federal agencies kept the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) busy during May 2020.
One of the 10 fake American Silver Eagles sold to an unsuspecting victim who responded to an unsolicited advertisement on Facebook
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is working with fraud victims and federal law enforcement agencies
(Fallbrook, California) May 26, 2020 — A fraudulent advertisement for bullion coins on Facebook, fake encapsulation holders, and requests for expert help from federal agencies kept the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) busy during May 2020.
One of the 10 fake American Silver Eagles sold to an unsuspecting victim who responded to an unsolicited advertisement on Facebook
Renowned numismatist Mark Salzberg will offer free collector consultations at the NGC booth.
NGC will be offering free one-on-one consultations with a renowned numismatist at the NGC booth (#104) at the FUN Show
Renowned numismatist Mark Salzberg will offer free collector consultations at the NGC booth.
NGC will be offering free one-on-one consultations with a renowned numismatist at the NGC booth (#104) at the FUN Show
A 2020 gold buffalo with the NGC tatanka special label. Hover to zoom
Example image of a note in a new PCGS Banknote holder. (Image credit: Professional Coin Grading Service)
(November 12, 2019) Irvine, California — GreatCollections is pleased to announce the Ultimate Collection of Rattlers and Old Holders. The collection comprises nearly 100 certified coins that were graded in the early years of PCGS and NGC and have resided with one owner ever since
An artist’s rendition of the new PCGS dual encapsulation of a 2019 Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle and accompanying United States Mint certificate of authenticity. Hover to zoom
(November 13, 2019) — Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has partnered with APMEX, the largest online retailer of precious metals, to offer an exciting new product geared toward bullion enthusiasts beginning in 2020. It combines APMEX’s popular MintDirect products with desirable PCGS FirstStrike certification eligibility
An artist’s rendition of the new PCGS dual encapsulation of a 2019 Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle and accompanying United States Mint certificate of authenticity. Hover to zoom
2019-S Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagle with the San Francisco label and First Releases designation (left) and with the Early Releases label and designation (right). Hover to zoom
2019-S Enhanced Reverse Proof Silver Eagle with the San Francisco label and First Releases designation (left) and with the Early Releases label and designation (right). Hover to zoom
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(Santa Ana, California) — Emily Damstra, a natural science illustrator and current U
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NGC will offer special labels for coins in the eight-coin, super-silver Proof set
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NGC will offer special labels for coins in the eight-coin, super-silver Proof set
California Gold Rush gold dust housed in elegant PCGS holders
August 29, 2019 — Historic sunken gold treasure, initially discovered by 49ers during the heydays of the California Gold Rush and untouched in the miners’ goldfield packets for more than 160 years, is now available in grand format PCGS-certified holders each containing five ounces of the precious metal. All of the gold dust was recovered from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the S
A special NGC attribution is available for coin collectors to recognize this historic U.S
Bulk submitters can order this special holder for attractive and convenient display.
The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has created a version of its Small Multi-Coin Holder to encapsulate three U
In a very rare opportunity, vintage coin board collector and dealer David W. Lange has negotiated the purchase of more than 400 antique coin boards from the 1930s and ‘40s
Viewers of Coingrader Capsule know we test modern holdering companies, especially against the widely held half-truth / half-myth that early graders were more conservative than those of today. You can view several posts about that in Coin Update
Viewers of Coingrader Capsule know we test modern holdering companies, especially against the widely held half-truth / half-myth that early graders were more conservative than those of today. You can view several posts about that in Coin Update
Remember these coins? Two on the right were cleaned with MS70 detergent and two with an undisclosed dilution of water and Jewel Luster, a dipping product. All were cracked out of PCGS holders to test cleaning and grading consistency
The screenshot above came in a search of “toned” and “monster” Silver Eagles on eBay. There were hundreds with “Buy It Now” prices ranging from $50 to $5,000
Recently in a Proxibid auction I saw an opportunity to score big by winning six Franklin half dollars in older holders, circa 1999, graded MS-64 full bell lines.
The abbreviated designation, “FBL,” refers to the reverse of a Franklin half dollar on which the two lines on the bottom of the bell run unbroken to the crack
Nothing elicits more comments from the coin community than the topic of cleaning, so let’s start off by stating any type of cleaning, including the use of MS70 Coin Cleaner, is controversial. Some hobbyists put MS70 and similar detergents on the same prohibitive plain as Jewel Luster (e-Z-est Cleaner) or similar products
Bidding in timed auctions takes time — literally — to learn how to win lots at the best price. Moreover, strategies depend on whether you are bidding in an estate auction on Proxibid with a live and online audience or in an eBay online-only auction
Some believe that when a top-tier grading company such as PCGS, NGC, ANACS or ICG slabs a coin, it is the last word on the grade. However, after a numismatist gains sufficient expertise, he or she can spot an under-graded coin, or what is perceived to be one
If you have not yet read my Coin Update post, “Buying Double Mint Sets,” you might do so before reading this one, because unethical sellers often take out the toned coins and replace them with lesser examples with the same date, hoping beginning hobbyists will still pay premiums. It’s one of the biggest ripoffs in collecting
Following the PCGS announcement late last year that CoinFacts would be available to hobbyists for free, competitor NGC has launched a nifty, enhanced price guide that contains many of the same features as CoinFacts, with graphics, census data, and auction prices.
In a news release earlier this month, NGC claimed that its U
Recently in an estate auction I won more than 50 lots of coins in older green PCGS holders, which traditionally have the allure of being conservatively graded and deserving of upgrades.
For several years now I have been submitting my own coins to the top holdering companies, paying an annual fee for that privilege to PCGS and NGC
Several Coin Update viewers have messaged me to do another crossover column, which typically ranks among the most popular because we all are tempted to do it, risking big losses or making awesome gains.
In the past few months I have experienced both
It goes without saying that we love our coins, often to such extent that we exile them, as I do, in a bank box. Fact is, we recommend any coin collection over $500 be stored in a bank box because most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies do not cover coins, or do so at great cost
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has re-designed its holder, adding a larger label with an increased flush-left font size that will provide more options for graphic design as well as more room for CAC and other stickers.
The size and other features of the holder remain the same, featuring the company’s sonically sealed display containing watermarks, updated holograms and proprietary information to prevent counterfeiting
Often reading emails and comments about my articles I become concerned about Coin Update readers wasting time and money bidding on inferior coins in online auctions. I’ve written about this before, explaining the intricacies of grading
I’ve been writing about self-slabbed and hyped coins for more than five years on Coin Update News, not only because of the inherent dishonesty of auctioneers calling a silver-melt Morgan MS67, but also because of concerns about the hobby.
One bad transaction in which a significant sum is lost, based on misleading or even fraudulent information, and the buyer will typically cease collecting coins
In late May, a federal court judge in Texas issued a ruling against a New York-based firm that owned a third-party grading company between November 2010 and December 2011, citing the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) and potentially awarding close to $1.9 million for the plaintiffs
Regular viewers of “Coingrader Capsule” know how to distinguish cameo and deep cameo on Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars, based on a popular prior post that explained the standards. To summarize: Frost is requisite in Cameo and Deep/Ultra Cameo designations
If a grading company sends back your coin questioning its toning, is that the end of the matter? Or is your knowledge of toning so advanced that you can second-guess the grader and resubmit the same coin so that it comes back with a grade? This is the topic of today’s column, and its intent is not to criticize coin graders at top companies but to make the point that toning on some coins is “questionable” (PCGS’s label) and really not 100% “artificial” (NGC’s label). PCGS’s “questionable” label, technically, is more accurate on borderline coins, ones that truly tone spectacularly and others that coin doctors can re-create
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, one of the hobby’s premier holdering companies, has announced a label buyback program meant to improve the accuracy of its census reports, which we applaud, in as much as cracked out crossover and details labels abound in the coin world and, alas, are routinely discarded. The NGC program not only will improve its census over time, but also may drive more business to the Sarasota company in as much as a 50-cent per label discount will be credited to the account of any authorized NGC dealer or Collector Society member
In this post I challenge the conventional wisdom that coins slabbed by PCGS between 1986-89, in what we now call “old green holders,” are under-graded and therefore should bring higher prices. For example, the 1881-S Morgan dollar below has a rim mark on the cheek (which almost always assures MS62-63) with scruffs and hairlines from 6 to 9 o’clock on the obverse
Conventional numismatic wisdom believes PCGS Old Green Holders (OGH) are conservatively graded and should be submitted for possible upgrades. Personally, I find OGH unreliable for upgrades because dozens of coin books have recommended resubmissions for years now, and the best have been sent in; but, more to the point, the remaining “Rattlers” are inconsistent
There are so many hazards to buying raw coins online via eBay, Proxibid or an Internet estate auction. Counterfeits aside, you can encounter honest and dishonest consignors (and auctioneers, for that matter), hyped lots, misleading descriptions and seller grades and messages on flips
Any time a numismatic writer begins with disclaimers, as I am now, you can be sure the content in one way or another will rile someone. Although I am a member of the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee, the views expressed herein are my own concerning the 50th Anniversary Gold Kennedy Half Dollar and the US Mint’s decision in August to suspend retail sales in Philadelphia, Denver and Washington, D
What should you do if you purchase a fake coin on Proxibid or eBay and discover it when your options have run out–a few months, or even years, after the sale? What if you buy a counterfeit in a private coin dealer auction online? Or an Internet estate auction? Portals like Proxibid and eBay have service terms that prevent the selling of fakes. Yet, you can spot dozens on eBay, especially California Gold
Last year Coin Update reported that NGC would be adding a new “First Releases®” blue label, responding to client and dealer feedback about its “Early Releases®” label, which remains the default designation on all submissions unless the First Releases® label is specifically requested.
NGC continues to state that there is no functional difference between the Early and the newer First Releases® label signifying that selected coins were “received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository during the first 30 days of release
One of the most difficult purchases to make online concerns coin rolls, especially when sellers hype what may be inside them. This article showcases several examples from eBay and Proxibid
Recently this coin appeared in a Gary Ryther auction on Proxibid. To Ryther’s credit, he notes in his description that the coin may be altered and provides a close-up of the severed leg
Recently Professional Coin Grading Service resolved one of the issues that collectors, including me, had complained about in the past, namely, if you sent PCGS-graded coins for regrade services in an Old Green Holder with sticker (or Doily label, for that matter), the company would crack out the coin and put it in a new blue-version holder.
Collectors and investors knew that a first-generation holder with a sticker from Certified Acceptance Corporation was worth more than a current PCGS holder
Readers of Coin Update News often bid on or order coins online, typically from portals like eBay, iCollector, Auction Zip or Proxibid. Sellers on eBay are more astute when it comes terms of service, primarily because they want good feedback on their sales