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How to Get Your Coins Professionally Certified and Graded

By Robert L Taylor, JD

1. See article entitled “5 Reasons to Buy and Collect Certified and Graded Coins,  which can be found at: ThePerfectCoin.com

Dispite the cost and procedure of getting your coin slabbed by a professional certification (authenticity) and grading company, which inhibits and prevents many people from having it done, a professional grade is beneficial for many reasons, the primary of which is that it helps you sell your coin when you want to upgrade or liquidate.  Upgrading one’s collection is a constant process, and therefore involves selling a coin to buy another similar one in a higher grade.  Collectors are constantly upgrading their collections, and this involves selling one coin in order to buy another of higher value and grade.  Selling a coin is enhanced by having that coin professionally certified and graded, or commonly called “slabbed”.  It is the reliability and certainity of this determination that “makes the sale” in most cases.  Dwindling are the days when raw coins are sent through the mail on approval, only to have the coin returned as being unacceptable.  Savvy buyers of high grade coin collections, look first for certainty and assurance of grade, preferably a professional grade.  Collectors of street coins are rarely as concerned.

Another important reason for having your coins professionally certified and graded is an assessment of the value of your collection.  It is always important to place a value on one’s coin collection.  If this valuation is solely based upon one’s personal assessment, then the valuation is based on uncertainty and question.  Raw coins have always been the stalwart of coin collections.  However with the addition of the highly attractive internet sales venue, and desirability for certainty on grade, selling your coin has increased a hundred fold.  One needs only provide a coin with a reliable grade, and put it on the Internet market for sale.  A reliable grade is produced by one of the top four professional grading companies, and it adds value to your coin.  Reliability is in the mind of the buyer.  Your personal assessment is of little value to the discerning buyer.

Conquering this reliability barrier is not difficult.  Two of the professional grading companies, PCGS (pcgs.com) and NGC (ngc.com), normally require a minimum fee to join, which is often coupled with reimbursement and credit advantages to joining, but which usually only apply the first year.  For longer term submissions, desired by most collectors, arrangements for non-fee memberships are available with ANACS and ICG.  Just submit your order with no fee required.  Order forms are available on line, by telephone, and email.  These two companies seem to enjoy the most popular choices among buyers.

The most intriguing professional grader is NGC, which provides for membership privileges for existing members of the ANA (American Numismatist Association,(money.org).  If you are a member of the ANA (money.org), then you are eligible to use the grading services of the NGC with out having to join NGC first.  The fee to join the ANA is less than the fee to join NGC, but the submission privileges are the same.  One may request a “Submission Kit/Package” from NGC, or just go on line for an Order Form, which can be used, and filled out (also on line) and submitted after printing, with your coins.  It is a simple and easy process.  The only thing needed is the ANA member number, and clicking on the right box.

1. A professionally certified and graded coin is always worth more, in the market place, than the same coin raw.

Regardless of when and how you get your coins certified and graded, it is well worth the cost and effort that it brings in personal relief, more certainty of the value of your collection, and in higher sales prices for coins you sell to upgrade and liquidate - on line or in person.

Happy Collecting,

Robert L Taylor, JD

Copyright ©2008,  Robert L Taylor, JD

Robert Taylor is a retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who has had a passion for collecting US coins. To share his Passion, he made available The Perfect Coin which features US Rare and Modern Coins (from 1960) and made available Perfect Dollar Coins featuring US Dollar Coins (from 1878), all Certified and Graded by NGC, PCGS, ICG and ANACS.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/how-to-get-your-coins-professionally-certified-and-graded-917688.html

Investors who are just starting to dip their toes into the precious metals market often wonder which is a better investment - 1 Oz Pamp Suisse Gold Bars or 1 Oz Gold Bullion Coins? Their are distinct advantages and disadvantages to owning both. Let us look at some of the more critical ones?

Gold Bars

Advantages:

Larger-sized, heavier weighted gold bullion has a lower premium than their coin counterparts. They are highly liquid as they are easily recognized and are frequently traded across all world markets.

Disadvantages:

From a practical standpoint, because of their weight and size, these gold bars are better left hidden or stored in a storage facility. When the time comes for you to liquidate them, you will have to deal with the shipping and handling fees plus the transportation costs necessary to transport them from one place to another.

Bullion Coins

Advantages:

Gold coins are easy to acquire, store and handle thus making them a lot easier to trade.. When you sell buy or sell gold coins, you need not risk its safety since it does not require an Assay to determine its value.

Disadvantages:

They are sold with a much higher premium than their counterpart bars.

All in all, you really can’t go wrong with either of the two — 1 Oz Gold Bar Pamp Suiss or 1 Oz Gold Bullion Coins. Investing in gold is more stable and less risky than stocks as you are guaranteed a liquid investment since you’ll always have willing buyers. You won’t be forced to trade just to let it go.

You can find wonderful prices and selection on the gorgeous 1 Oz Pamp Suisse Gold Bar at: ==> http://GoldBullionBars.info

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/1-oz-pamp-suisse-gold-bars-or-1-oz-gold-bullion-coins-which-is-a-better-investment-919470.html

What is the better investment - American Gold Buffalo Proof Coins or the circulated variety? To a new investor in gold bullion, it may be a bit confusing trying to decide between purchasing the two types. Is there really any difference between the two?  Here are some facts that will help clarifiy things a bit more for you:

The term circulated means that the coin has indications of wear since it’s been employed in commerce. The term explanation, on the other hand, suggests that the coin went through a special minting process of polish and die treatment so making the coin appear a little different.

This eventuality gives an investor some stable investments he will be able to definitely count on. The coins are made of 99.9% gold or an equivalent of 24K. Since Gold is regarded recession proof, speculators are warranted of a worthwhile investment even in they are caught in the middle of a finance instability.

The emergence of web purchases has reached these gold coins already and it might be best to know the true gold coins from the gold covered chocolate coins. These American Buffalo Gold evidence coins have a “W” on the front side. This means that the coin is indeed an explanation edition. Each of these proof coins are warranted by the US govt for its gold content and purity.

When you invest in the American Buffalo Gold proof coin, you can easily liquidate it to cash since they’re widely accepted and traded across all markets. Coin buyers, collectors and speculators alike know good value when they discover one so they’re rushing to get as many proof coins as they can.

In the long run, you will definitely be rewarded for selecting to speculate in the proof edition of the American Buffalo Gold Coins. The sale attractiveness of these American Buffalo Gold Proof Coins are increasing considerably amidst the bear market and the fall of the US economy.

You can find fabulous prices and selection on the gorgeous 2008 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin at: ==> http://GoldBuffaloProof.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/american-gold-buffalo-coins-is-proof-or-circulated-the-better-investment-to-make-919603.html

The Chinese Silver Panda Coins are one of the most well liked silver coins to ever circulate the country as well as the foreign exchange markets around the planet. These kinds of coins are some of the most rare, which of course means that the value placed on these are of a vast amount that only the major and the determined collectors are prepared to invest on. If you have an interest in picking up these sorts of coins, particularly those from China, then this article’s going to offer you some of the basic information that you will need to spot a specific Chinese silver panda coin.

The first class of Chinese Silver Panda Coins were circulated between 1983 and 1985, which had miniscule mintages of only ten thousand and were thought to be one of the few Chinese coins that were extraordinarily rare and hard to locate. The valuable metal content is 27 grams of 9 hundred fine silver with a diameter of 38.6 mm. These were already really inspiring and valuable, but that did not limit collectors from taking a look at the later versions of these coins.

For example, the 1987 sterling panda is the sole Chinese silver panda coin ever to have been minted from sterling silver. It had an honest to goodness valuable metal content of 1 oz. Of 925 fine silver and was is the 1st silver panda coin that had a diameter of 40 mm.

Another reason why these coins were so valuable and in demand among coin collectors was the design on the coin itself, especially that of the panda. What’s more, the costs for these particular coins were very affordable, beginning from the 1989 one oz. Pure .999 silver panda coin till the present 2007 Chinese Silver Panda Coin.

And because of this, you may find a lot of collectors with complete sets of Chinese Silver Panda Coins either online or in tangible shops who are willing to sell them at reasonable prices.

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You can find great prices and selection on the unique Chinese Silver Panda Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/chinese-silver-panda-coins-a-true-symbol-of-chinese-culture-912889.html

If you’re a coin collector and are particularly fond of brilliant, uncirculated silver coins then most likely you’ll be inquisitive about Chinese Silver Commemorative Coins. These coins are usually minted for collection purposes as well as memorial pieces to honor of special events and people that have made a difference or a great impact in the country of China.

For example, to commemorate the Beijing Olympics, Chinese coins were made and designed just for that purpose. Other countries have also recognized the great thing about Chinese coins, particularly Australia, Somalia, Singapore, and the Isle of Man, so coinages were organized and different gold and silver coins are now circulating the markets today that contain the Chinese zodiac on one side and the partnering country’s national symbol on the other.

These coins, depending on the weight, the design, and the dear metal content, can either be cheap ( RMB 3 to US $10-15) or pricey (usually over a hundred to one thousand dollars) because of its rarity and the history that go with it. If you have an interest in picking up Chinese Silver Commemorative Coins, you can find a lot of original pieces or series online in merchant internet sites like Amazon and Ebay.

If you’re looking for those with the Chinese zodiac or the Giant panda in them, all you must do is just search through Google and Yahoo and you can be able to find the set or piece to finish or add to your collection. There’s bound to be a seller or coin dealer that may have the coin or series you need to finish your personal collection.

If you’re a seller of coins, you may also exploit this opportunity by selling your own set of Chinese silver and gold on the internet. Particularly if they are Chinese Silver Commemorative Coins, you are certain to be showered with all sorts of offers from coin enthusiasts all over the world.

You can find great prices and selection on the fabulous Chinese Silver Commemorative Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/the-fabulous-chinese-silver-commemorative-coins-901858.html

For coin collectors all around the world, one of the most amazing unearths that may ever be got in the market today are old rare Chinese silver coins. For one thing, you do not often find rare Chinese coins from different dynasties in the local Chinese markets without wondering or suspecting if all the merchant’s hordes are mere duplicates or fakes of the real thing.

It is also awfully rare to be ready to get traditional Chinese silver coins for modest costs. So, bear in mind that if you are into the coin picking up business and want to have some of China’s old and rare silver coins, you’re most likely going to need to shell out a ton of cash simply to get them. What you’ll be benefiting from these coins though is a part of the country’s ancient history, a valuable and intangible treasure that nobody can fiddle with unless they completely destroy such artifacts.

The circulation of old rare Chinese Silver Coins first began when the republic of China was founded after the Xinhai Revolution. Because they were forced to develop and issue a new military currency to replace the prior one used in the Qing dynasty, they Nanjing provisional government decided to create a new kind of currency known as the Silver Dollar.

This was established in 1914 by the Countrywide Currency Ordinance and became the nation’s currency of the Republic of China. From then on until the 1930s, much of the designs have changed overtime but the sizes and quantity of valuable metals used remained unchanged.

These coins have a history so rich that the value of these authentic rare coins can be quite compelling for the average coin collector. You will discover that a number of these old rare Chinese Silver Coins can’t be purchased less than a credible coin dealer.

You can find wonderful prices and selection on collectible Old Rare Chinese Silver Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/finding-historic-old-rare-chinese-silver-coins-901999.html

The Chinese Silver Zodiac Coins that are now widely sought-after in online merchant sites are inspired by the ancient Chinese zodiac, which includes the 12 animals that make up the 12-year cycle. And because of the beauty and elegance of these coins, other countries like Australia, Liberia, and Somalia have issued commemorative coins that featured both the Chinese animal zodiac signs and the respective royalties of the partnering countries.

If you try searching for these coins online, you may find that almost all of the silver and gold Chinese zodiac coins produced have the faces or emblems of Australia, Somalia, and even the Isle of Man on the other side. If these are the sorts of coins you would want to collect for yourself then this article will give you some of the basic information you will need in looking for these coins.

China as everyone knows is an example of the oldest civilizations existing and has influenced most parts of Pacific Rim with its culture and history like no other. It is also known to be one of the finest places to look for traditional and rare coins as it’s been manufacturing its own currency since 1889.

Collectors are continually on the look-out for both rare Chinese currencies and brilliant uncirculated coins such as the Chinese Silver Zodiac Coins that have either been made regionally or through coinage with other states abroad. If you’re on the lookout for any of these silver zodiac inspired coins, here’s what you can do:

Take the time to flick thru the web since this is the most convenient source of information with regards to these Chinese silver zodiac coins. You’ll be amazed at how many coin sellers are available to transact with you.

Research on what factors are wanted to identify authentic Chinese Silver Zodiac Coins to avoid paying for fakes, especially when bought online.

You can find fabulous prices and selection on the fun, unique Chinese Silver Zodiac Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/chinese-silver-zodiac-coins-are-worth-collecting-894788.html

The Chinese Silver Dragon Coin has been known, for centuries, to be one of the oldest coins to have ever been produced, designed, and distributed throughout the country as official currency. It serves as one of the few coins in which people identified China and its flourishing economy with, being one of the first few silver coins to have ever been produced back in 1889.

This was when the 1st modern coining press was introduced and imported into China and from there the coins were circulated and had the price of seven Mace and 2 Candareens. These two values were what the people then used as standard units for silver, which were measurable by weight.

If you are going to look for tangible authentic Chinese Silver Dragon Coin, it is important that you remember the different traits of these silver coins. A genuine Chinese silver dragon coin would usually have a weight measurement of 27.4 grams with a quantity of 0.78 ounce Of silver.

The design includes a Chinese dragon engraved in the center with the words seven Mace and 2 Candareens at the bottom of the image. On top of the dragon is the Hu-Peh Province, which most historians claimed to be the place where the coins were made. These coins were circulated between 1898 and 1905 and were popularly known as Kiang-Nan bucks and would routinely cost many hundred greenbacks when purchased from a credible coin dealer or collector.

Of course with such great history these coins are bound to sprout fakes in the many markets around China as well as around the world. The price of fake coins would often range between three RMB to US $10-15 when bought through an online auction site, as an instance. If it’s the real Chinese Silver Dragon Coin that you are looking for, another way to inform is the crude weight, which is usually heavy.

You can find great prices and selection on the unique Chinese Silver Dragon Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/chinese-silver-dragon-coins-a-chinese-silver-icon-892997.html

China, with all its dignity and resplendency, has traditionally been known to be one of the finest places to find rare silver coins such as the Chinese Silver Yuan Coins.

The first few silver coins were minted and circulated round the different parts of the country back in 1889 when the 1st coining press was imported and the strategies introduced. Since there is actual pure silver content concerned, one of the oldest ways of really measuring the worth is by weight, so if you are a serious coin collector and have an interest in Chinese silver then this is how it is usually done.

The first or earliest silver coins that were issued were produced in the Canton, otherwise known as the Guangdong mint in the 1890s. These were done in denominations of 5 cents, 1, 2, and 5 jiao, and one yuan. Shortly other mints were build in different regions of the country and began producing similar silver coins as well as coins made out of copper in denominations of 1-2, 5, 10-20 cash.

With over twenty provincial regions producing and minting silver coins, the governing body saw the requirement to neutralise the nation’s currency and finally commenced issuing its own Chinese Silver Yuan Coins in 1903 as well as other brass and copper coins. The designs of the coins modified once in a while, particularly after the revolution, but the size and the metal content stayed the same till the 1930s.

The Nationalist Government introduced on July 1949 the 1st silver yuan, which was initially worth 500 million gold yuan. It began circulating for a few months around the mainland before the civil war and stayed to be the official currency of the Republic of Taiwan until the year two thousand.

As of today, Chinese Silver Yuan Coins have changed into a welcome addition to the collections of many coin fans all over the world.

You can find fabulous prices and selection on the historic Chinese Silver Yuan Coins at: ==> ChineseSilverCoins.com<

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/chinese-silver-yuan-coins-a-rare-symbol-of-chinas-past-892753.html

Apart from the need to engage in trading coins and working eagerly to obtain rare coins, some people have a natural desire for collecting world coins. Often this interest is sparked when one encounters foreign currency; these coin collectors begin to look at the currency in terms of its aesthetics, culture or history rather than simply its monetary value. Veteran coin collectors say that examining and collecting coins from another part of the planet, is just like trying to learn a new language. Collecting world coins is an enjoyable experience, as you’ll also learn the right pronunciation of the denominations, kings or queens, mint names and the like of each foreign penny. Usually archaeologists find coins after excavations and draw many inferences about the people living in those civilizations based on them. We can use coins found in different countries in the world to place ourselves in those cultures or immerse ourselves in their traditions, all through their representation in its most basic form of coins. The hobby of collecting global coins will surely allow you to know more information regarding the culture and language of different nations. This is what draws people to collecting world coins.

Most neophyte collectors generally build-up their repositories, and learn the tricks of the trade, by sharpening their skills through sorting through domestic coins. However, when they feel the need to widen their collections, setting their sights on world coins should be the next thing that would pop on their minds, especially if they felt liked they were priced out of the market. However, whenever you wish to tread the road of a world coin collector, you need to be aware that foreign coins are often not as easily resold as United States coins. Veteran coin collectors say that the lack of liquidity is due to the fact that there are fewer dealers of world coins in the US, compared with those who are involved with the local coin series. In addition, a collector who regularly buys and collects French coins may not be that inclined to buy South American or South Korean coins, and the dealer who spends more time dealing with more expensive coins, may not be a regular buyer of standard and inexpensive pennies. This is a fact, because with the large number of foreign coins available, it would be quite difficult for any one dealer to buy all of these. Those who deal with foreign coins generally tend to be more choosy in forging their decisions, and in making their purchases, since they have a much larger selection pool and also need to be extra attentive during the inventory control stage. It’s also likely that international coin collectors seem to care a bit less about having these pennies as an investment tool, and would rather collect it for fun. A large segment of world coin collectors are content to stay with their hobbies longer, and are not that frustrated with minor setbacks.

In collecting world coins, it would be helpful checking out a number of books and guides regarding collecting international coins. These helpful guides allow collectors to view a comprehensive country-by-country listing of 19th, 20th and early 21st century coin issues which have been circulated globally. The books and guides relayed to collecting international coins also features detailed lists which include information such as the metal of issue, date and mintages, the actual silver and gold weight, along with the current market values of international currencies.

HERMAN KLEIN is a coin collecting expert. For more great tips on collecting world coins be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingstartshere.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/collecting-world-coins-847337.html