When purchasing a coin, there are many factors to consider, its grade, luster, rarity, demand, strike, age, and so on and so forth. One of the most important factors, are third party grading services. These “services” are companies that are not affiliated with the production, buying, or selling of coins that provide a professional opinion regarding a coins net grade.
There are four main company's, PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and ICG and a few others which are easily identifiable from non-third party graded coins because they encase the coins that they grade in hard plastic holders such as the one below, Ever since the late 1970s when the first company, ANACS was founded through the American Numismatic Association, the use of third party grading service has revolutionized the industry in ways that many might not realize. The effect that third party grading services has had on the coin market is most prevalent in the bullion section, especially with modern semi numismatic pieces such as the American Silver Eagle. This is mainly because of inserts that the two largest companies, PCGS and NGC put in their holders. In fact, they even have an NGC holder with an insert that commemorates Donald Trump's presidential inauguration so people can have “history in their hands” going as far as to have red, white, and blue inserts for these holders! Beyond this, they produce inserts for many different themes and occasions with themes such as Major League Baseball teams to cites such as San Francisco (which is where many proof coins are minted). These holders have had a positive impact on the market for these coins as they have made it more fun to collect them. Oftentimes this provides coins with these inserts with a premium over other examples. Most importantly, third party grading services have created a relative large price difference between coins that are graded in MS69 and MS70 condition. One thing that many people likely do not recognize is that there is an extremely small difference between coins that are graded in MS69 and MS70 condition, because a coin in MS70 condition is a perfect coin, where a coin in MS69 extremely close. Amazingly, this difference in grade can be something as small as a tiny scratch on any part of the coin which can only be viewed at a certain angle. This is something that I typically advise people to keep in mind when making these purchases, especially considering that most modern semi-numismatic rounds that are not professionally graded are typically in MS69 or MS70 condition anyways, which are almost always cheaper than silver eagles in professionally graded holders. In fact, third party grading services even designate some coins as being produced earlier than the rest with designations such as "First Strike" or “Early Release” where in reality, these coins are likely not one of the first ones produced. The mint does not keep track of the first coins that they produce, where the coins with these designations are likely just the first ones that these third-party grading companies receive. Amazingly, likely due to this misconception the coins with a first strike designation also have a premium over coins without designation. This is something that I also advice people to keep in mind when making bullion purchases. Believe it or not, any coin that in in older third party grading holder is typically worth a premium, as many collectors enjoy owning a piece of these company's history. In fact, there are even people that try to collect coins that are exclusively in these old holders. Third party grading services have also revolutionized every other area of the coin market that is outside of bullion. Primarily, they are extremely useful for helping coin dealers and collectors be confident that the coin that they own is authentic. Also, they typically provide an accurate grade for coins, where at PCGS and NGC at least 3 experts must agree on the grade of the coin at hand before it is sent back to the person who submitted it. Personally, I strongly recommend that you purchase coins in professionally graded holders if they are worth at least $250, if you cannot fully guarantee its authenticity yourself. This Is especially true if the coin that you are looking to purchase is a key date with a mint mark because sometimes people simply add a mint mark to an authentic coin and try to sell it as its much rarer counterpart. Third party grading services are amazing, because they provide coin dealers and collectors with the piece of mind that the coin that the coin that they have is real, with a good idea regarding its grade. Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that it may be preferable for some people to purchase raw coins in the case of bullion, and semi numismatic rounds
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Modern coinage, for most of us coin collectors when we think of modern coins the first thing that typically comes to mind are the readily available coinage that are from the us mint, such as the shield cent, or various other circulating coinage. Oftentimes, modern collectible coins come in the form of commemorative coins and proof sets. For us, the most interesting news recently is between the new proposed commemorative coin designs, or the amazing new shield cents that are coming into our pocket change that actually have the p mint mark on them! While this news is extremely interesting, believe it or not there are absolutely amazing technological advances that are occurring in the modern world coin market. There are always going to be those amazing coins, that as try as we might it will take years to save the thousands of dollars that they cost.Despite this, it is fun to study them and learn about the beauty that they contain, despite their price. Believe it or not, this year the Royal Canadian Mint is actually producing a coin that actually contains life sized other coins from Canadian history. This coin is being produced as a part of Canada's 150th anniversary as a country! Each and every one of the 35 coins that are on the coin are from a major part of Canadian coinage history. At a cost of 2500 CAD, (a little over 1900 USD) they are only producing 500 being of them. Amazingly, these pieces of numismatic greatness are minted with an ultra high relief, with a antique finish which works together to enhance the design. On the obverse, there is an effigy of queen Elizabeth the second. Here is another Amazing coin from Canada, which is much more affordable.This is a glow in the dark that is called "Animals in the moonlight” with the cougar design. These coins are produced out two full troy ounces of.9999 silver, with the glow in the dark aspect being one of Canada's’ amazing technological innovations with coins. The most unique part of this coin, as you may have guessed is its unique glow in the dark feature! What this means is, various features of the coin, mainly in the field shine when glowed in the dark! There were only four thousand of these coins minted, where they were sold for $190 CAD each. If you are interested, the Canadian mint also produces inexpensive coins with the same technological feature,and even some coins that glow under black light! Here is another amazing coin which is produced by the Pubjoy mint, that is actually green. This coin is green due to the metals that the coin is minted of. This coin is minted out of green titanium, and is produced to commemorate the British Indian ocean territory. Witha. Denomination of two pounds, they are only minting 7500 of these coins. Interestingly, the titanium produces a pattern in each of the coins that varies slightly between each piece, and they were able to produce them with a considerable amount of detail considering how hard titanium is. Here is another beautiful coin that depicts the classic Disney character Mickey Mouse! Prior to this year, most of the coins that were minted with a depiction of a famous Disney character were fairly expensive, and oftentimes costed at least a few hundred dollars. Fortunately, these are much cheaper! A few weeks ago, I was actually able to purchase one of these coins for $24 where these coins usually go for about $25-$26! These coins are minted by the Niue mint, which is a small island in the pacific that produces amazing silver coins. This coin is a full ounce of silver, and are likely going to have a high demand due to their design and affordability.
Well, there you have it, a few examples of some of the most amazing coins that are being minted! If you enjoyed this, please share it on Facebook and Twitter, and please keep on the lookout for some more articles in the future! |
Author: Brandon Spiegel.
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