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Coinbuf

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  1. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from Mike Meenderink in Double Eagle Pics   
    That is unfortunate but not really the end of the world in this case.   Both the Liberty and the Saint are bullion coins once you get under the MS grade levels due to the high gold spot price.   At these levels of gold spot the numismatic premiums have evaporated for common coins under the MS64 grade levels, really you need gem grade MS65 or better to see any significant premium over spot.   But I also would not take the word of one dealer as gospel, if you have the chance you might want a second or third opinion.
    What is important, and the real value for you, is the family connection you have to the coins and their story.   The sentimental value far outweighs what the numismatic premium would have been anyway.
    I considered the possibility when I first replied, but as I explained above it didn't really seem to matter so I decided not to mention it.   But now that we are I will explain, the 1906 Liberty does have a cleaned or burnished look to it.   The halos around the stars, the color, and what appears to be some faint hairlines just in front of and onto the forehead area of the obv could be signs of the coin having been wiped.   That is not really unusual as many non collectors routinely wiped or cleaned old coins to make them look shiny or new again, as we go back in history it was even a common practice for collectors to use a horsehair brush and brush the coins they kept in coin cabinets in the 1800's.
    The color of the Saint is also a bit off which could indicate an old wipe or cleaning.   I really don't see much on the eagle from these pics, the color looks better and I don't see any obvious signs of a cleaning.   I know that sometimes once a dealer spots a couple of cleaned coins the human thing to do is assume that all the coins are cleaned.   And of course in hand I might have a different opinion of any or all of the coins.
  2. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from powermad5000 in What should I do?   
    I see no Blakesley effect on the 1963 cent so I do not think that is a legitimate clip, likely as @Sandon surmised something post mint.   These are nice coins for a coin album or folder but I'm sorry to say there is nothing of any real value that I see in your photos.
  3. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from RonnieR131 in Double Eagle Pics   
    That is unfortunate but not really the end of the world in this case.   Both the Liberty and the Saint are bullion coins once you get under the MS grade levels due to the high gold spot price.   At these levels of gold spot the numismatic premiums have evaporated for common coins under the MS64 grade levels, really you need gem grade MS65 or better to see any significant premium over spot.   But I also would not take the word of one dealer as gospel, if you have the chance you might want a second or third opinion.
    What is important, and the real value for you, is the family connection you have to the coins and their story.   The sentimental value far outweighs what the numismatic premium would have been anyway.
    I considered the possibility when I first replied, but as I explained above it didn't really seem to matter so I decided not to mention it.   But now that we are I will explain, the 1906 Liberty does have a cleaned or burnished look to it.   The halos around the stars, the color, and what appears to be some faint hairlines just in front of and onto the forehead area of the obv could be signs of the coin having been wiped.   That is not really unusual as many non collectors routinely wiped or cleaned old coins to make them look shiny or new again, as we go back in history it was even a common practice for collectors to use a horsehair brush and brush the coins they kept in coin cabinets in the 1800's.
    The color of the Saint is also a bit off which could indicate an old wipe or cleaning.   I really don't see much on the eagle from these pics, the color looks better and I don't see any obvious signs of a cleaning.   I know that sometimes once a dealer spots a couple of cleaned coins the human thing to do is assume that all the coins are cleaned.   And of course in hand I might have a different opinion of any or all of the coins.
  4. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from GoldFinger1969 in Double Eagle Pics   
    That is unfortunate but not really the end of the world in this case.   Both the Liberty and the Saint are bullion coins once you get under the MS grade levels due to the high gold spot price.   At these levels of gold spot the numismatic premiums have evaporated for common coins under the MS64 grade levels, really you need gem grade MS65 or better to see any significant premium over spot.   But I also would not take the word of one dealer as gospel, if you have the chance you might want a second or third opinion.
    What is important, and the real value for you, is the family connection you have to the coins and their story.   The sentimental value far outweighs what the numismatic premium would have been anyway.
    I considered the possibility when I first replied, but as I explained above it didn't really seem to matter so I decided not to mention it.   But now that we are I will explain, the 1906 Liberty does have a cleaned or burnished look to it.   The halos around the stars, the color, and what appears to be some faint hairlines just in front of and onto the forehead area of the obv could be signs of the coin having been wiped.   That is not really unusual as many non collectors routinely wiped or cleaned old coins to make them look shiny or new again, as we go back in history it was even a common practice for collectors to use a horsehair brush and brush the coins they kept in coin cabinets in the 1800's.
    The color of the Saint is also a bit off which could indicate an old wipe or cleaning.   I really don't see much on the eagle from these pics, the color looks better and I don't see any obvious signs of a cleaning.   I know that sometimes once a dealer spots a couple of cleaned coins the human thing to do is assume that all the coins are cleaned.   And of course in hand I might have a different opinion of any or all of the coins.
  5. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to Sandon in What should I do?   
    Welcome to the NGC chat board.
        Regrettably, none of the coins whose images you have shown here is rare or valuable.
       The 1963 cent (whose odd color does indicate it has been dipped or "cleaned") appears to have a straight planchet clip, a minor mint error which if genuine has a generic list value of $3 in the 2023 A Guide Book of United States Coins, commonly known as the "Red Book". Based on your photo of the edge, however, it appears that someone likely sawed off a piece of the edge after the coin left the mint.
       The well-worn (just Good details) and damaged 1920 cent (a common date with a high for its era mintage of over 310 million pieces) is only worth a few cents in this condition.
       The circulated (Extremely Fine or so) Jefferson nickel, a very common coin with a mintage of nearly 1.8 billion pieces, is only worth its face value of five cents. The circulated and normal 1993-D cent with which you started this topic (mintage over 6.4 billion) is also just pocket change.
       You appear to be laboring under a misconception about what makes coins valuable. First of all, please read the following article recently posted by a well-known coin dealer: Jeff Garrett: Fake News and Misinformation in Numismatics | NGC (ngccoin.com).
        What you "should do" is obtain and study legitimate resources of information about coins, starting with the current (2025) edition of the "Red Book", a grading guide, and current price guides. See the following forum topics identifying and explaining where you can obtain these print and online resources:
         
     
  6. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to powermad5000 in What should I do?   
    Hello and welcome to the forum!
    The close AM is normal on a 1993 D Lincoln Cent and there are no wide AM's for any of the mintmarks of that year. As for a DDO on the cent you have pictured, from what I can see in the photos is some split plate doubling around the date and mintmark, which is a form of worthless doubling found on these copper plated zinc cents.
    As for the D on the reverse of Roosevelt dimes, the D mintmark was placed on the reverse next to the bottom of the torch from 1946-1964.
    Sorry this cent is not special, but keep looking!
    As for it seems that you have just started looking at coins, if you continue, you would do well obtaining a copy of the Red Book of United States Coins, 2025 to help you learn things about the coins you come across. You can also avail yourself of the online resources on this page and also on the PCGS webpage.
  7. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to powermad5000 in 1909 VDB Lincoln cent   
    I personally think that while David Lawrence has some very beautiful coins and some difficult to find in grade coins, many of his offerings to me are overpriced. Just my opinion.
  8. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from Mike Meenderink in Double Eagle Pics   
    Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your wonderful family heirloom coins.    The 1912-S is one of the more difficult to find nice issues of the entire Indian eagle series.   I would grade your coin as AU55, it has better than average eye appeal for this date/mm and I would not be surprised to see it grade higher at a TPG like NGC or PCGS.   Value is somewhere around $1,800 to $2,000.   Here is an excerpt from the PCGS coinfacts written by David Akers about the 12-S.

  9. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from powermad5000 in I'm new. If I buy proof coins from the U.S. mint, should I get them graded?   
    Hmmm where to start, welcome to the forum.   There is no requirement to have coins graded and slabbed by a TPG (third party grader) anyone can if they choose to but it is an expensive process with no guaranties as to what grades you might receive.  From your post is seems that you are concentrating on modern and US mint products be it proof or circulation coinage.   Yes, as a general rule a coin that approaches or achieves the highest possible grade might/will command the highest prices.   However, is it not easy to get a grade of MS70, very few coins receive a grade that lofty, even for modern mint coinage.   Most of the coins which are blessed with the highest grades are submitted by dealers who submit thousands of coins via the bulk submission process, or by experienced submitters that pour over hundreds of mint sets looking for the very best coins.   Buying a roll of coins form the mint, submitting them and receiving even one MS70 grade is not very likely, that would be somewhat like hitting the lottery, possible but the odds are against it.
    Proof 70 (PF70) is a different story as a decent percentage of modern US mint proof coinage will be graded PF70.   If you buy 10 proof coins from the mint it is very likely that at least a few will grade as PF70.   Problem is you will lose money and have a hard time selling off all the PF69 or lower graded coins, and you will receive a few of those too.
    As to what to read, well there is not much literature that is dedicated to modern mint products, there are tons of books on classic coinage.   The best you can hope for when buying mint products is that you happen to buy something that years later is considered to be a key or low mintage coin.   The problem is that even if a particular coin is produced in low mintage most of the production of mint proof products are saved so it will never be scarce or truly rare, this is really again much like playing the lottery and hoping you get a winning ticket.
    You are indeed lucky if your heirs are truly interested in coins or holding onto your collection, I would say that close to 80% of collectors end up selling their collections prior to passing because they have no heirs that ae interested in the collection aside from what they can sell it for.
    I hope you enjoy collecting, it is the study, history, and collecting of knowledge about coins that is the major driver for many collectors.
     
  10. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from powermad5000 in 1909 VDB Lincoln cent   
    Without question no.   I watch a few Lincoln cent FB groups and I am so mystified at how many of the people on those groups believe this is a rare or difficult to find coin.   This coin was the transition year so lots were horded and saved, it is very common all the way to MS66, I have three two in MS65, and one in MS66, not rare just a lot of unnecessary hoopla.
  11. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from powermad5000 in Morgans   
    @Tmoney11 All of the dollars in your photos, (you have a combination of Morgan and Peace dollars) are very common coins in varying levels of circulation.   While these coins have a sentimental value to you there is no real numismatic value for common coins in this condition.   Each is worth around $30 to $35 dollars which is the value of the silver used to produce them, this varies with the spot price of silver.
  12. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from rrantique in Double Eagle Pics   
    Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your wonderful family heirloom coins.    The 1912-S is one of the more difficult to find nice issues of the entire Indian eagle series.   I would grade your coin as AU55, it has better than average eye appeal for this date/mm and I would not be surprised to see it grade higher at a TPG like NGC or PCGS.   Value is somewhere around $1,800 to $2,000.   Here is an excerpt from the PCGS coinfacts written by David Akers about the 12-S.

  13. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from GoldFinger1969 in I'm new. If I buy proof coins from the U.S. mint, should I get them graded?   
    Hmmm where to start, welcome to the forum.   There is no requirement to have coins graded and slabbed by a TPG (third party grader) anyone can if they choose to but it is an expensive process with no guaranties as to what grades you might receive.  From your post is seems that you are concentrating on modern and US mint products be it proof or circulation coinage.   Yes, as a general rule a coin that approaches or achieves the highest possible grade might/will command the highest prices.   However, is it not easy to get a grade of MS70, very few coins receive a grade that lofty, even for modern mint coinage.   Most of the coins which are blessed with the highest grades are submitted by dealers who submit thousands of coins via the bulk submission process, or by experienced submitters that pour over hundreds of mint sets looking for the very best coins.   Buying a roll of coins form the mint, submitting them and receiving even one MS70 grade is not very likely, that would be somewhat like hitting the lottery, possible but the odds are against it.
    Proof 70 (PF70) is a different story as a decent percentage of modern US mint proof coinage will be graded PF70.   If you buy 10 proof coins from the mint it is very likely that at least a few will grade as PF70.   Problem is you will lose money and have a hard time selling off all the PF69 or lower graded coins, and you will receive a few of those too.
    As to what to read, well there is not much literature that is dedicated to modern mint products, there are tons of books on classic coinage.   The best you can hope for when buying mint products is that you happen to buy something that years later is considered to be a key or low mintage coin.   The problem is that even if a particular coin is produced in low mintage most of the production of mint proof products are saved so it will never be scarce or truly rare, this is really again much like playing the lottery and hoping you get a winning ticket.
    You are indeed lucky if your heirs are truly interested in coins or holding onto your collection, I would say that close to 80% of collectors end up selling their collections prior to passing because they have no heirs that ae interested in the collection aside from what they can sell it for.
    I hope you enjoy collecting, it is the study, history, and collecting of knowledge about coins that is the major driver for many collectors.
     
  14. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from The Neophyte Numismatist in I'm new. If I buy proof coins from the U.S. mint, should I get them graded?   
    Hmmm where to start, welcome to the forum.   There is no requirement to have coins graded and slabbed by a TPG (third party grader) anyone can if they choose to but it is an expensive process with no guaranties as to what grades you might receive.  From your post is seems that you are concentrating on modern and US mint products be it proof or circulation coinage.   Yes, as a general rule a coin that approaches or achieves the highest possible grade might/will command the highest prices.   However, is it not easy to get a grade of MS70, very few coins receive a grade that lofty, even for modern mint coinage.   Most of the coins which are blessed with the highest grades are submitted by dealers who submit thousands of coins via the bulk submission process, or by experienced submitters that pour over hundreds of mint sets looking for the very best coins.   Buying a roll of coins form the mint, submitting them and receiving even one MS70 grade is not very likely, that would be somewhat like hitting the lottery, possible but the odds are against it.
    Proof 70 (PF70) is a different story as a decent percentage of modern US mint proof coinage will be graded PF70.   If you buy 10 proof coins from the mint it is very likely that at least a few will grade as PF70.   Problem is you will lose money and have a hard time selling off all the PF69 or lower graded coins, and you will receive a few of those too.
    As to what to read, well there is not much literature that is dedicated to modern mint products, there are tons of books on classic coinage.   The best you can hope for when buying mint products is that you happen to buy something that years later is considered to be a key or low mintage coin.   The problem is that even if a particular coin is produced in low mintage most of the production of mint proof products are saved so it will never be scarce or truly rare, this is really again much like playing the lottery and hoping you get a winning ticket.
    You are indeed lucky if your heirs are truly interested in coins or holding onto your collection, I would say that close to 80% of collectors end up selling their collections prior to passing because they have no heirs that ae interested in the collection aside from what they can sell it for.
    I hope you enjoy collecting, it is the study, history, and collecting of knowledge about coins that is the major driver for many collectors.
     
  15. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from GoldFinger1969 in Double Eagle Pics   
    Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your wonderful family heirloom coins.    The 1912-S is one of the more difficult to find nice issues of the entire Indian eagle series.   I would grade your coin as AU55, it has better than average eye appeal for this date/mm and I would not be surprised to see it grade higher at a TPG like NGC or PCGS.   Value is somewhere around $1,800 to $2,000.   Here is an excerpt from the PCGS coinfacts written by David Akers about the 12-S.

  16. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from Sandon in 1976 Quarter D Mark Filled “D” , ODD   
    Welcome to the forum, your question has already been answered by member greenstang; no coin worth 25 cents is worth paying $40 to have graded.
     
  17. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to Sandon in Double Eagle Pics   
    Either forum is fine for this topic.
        Your coins were both minted at the San Francisco mint, so the Liberty Head double eagle is identified as a 1906-S ("S" mintmark on reverse beneath eagle's tail), and the Saint Gaudens double eagle is identified as a 1910-S ("S" mintmark above the date). Based on the photos, both coins appear to be genuine, with the 1906-S in approximately About Uncirculated condition and the 1910-S in approximately Extremely Fine condition.  These are relatively common dates in the context of double eagles and in these grades are now considered to be "semi-numismatic" or bullion-related coins due to the high price of gold.  On the NGC Price Guide (retail), both the 1906-S are currently listed at between $2,550 and $2,600 in all Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated grades. These coins, at least unworn, were supposed to contain 0.9675 oz. of gold, worth $2,324.09 at today's gold price. In the early 2000's, when gold was $300-$400 an ounce, you could have bought such pieces for under $500 or in lower uncirculated grades for about $600 each. 
       My grandparents saved some half eagles ($5) and eagles ($10) from circulation before 1933. I have a topic about them on this forum:
     
  18. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from Sandon in Double Eagle Pics   
    Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your wonderful family heirloom coins.    The 1912-S is one of the more difficult to find nice issues of the entire Indian eagle series.   I would grade your coin as AU55, it has better than average eye appeal for this date/mm and I would not be surprised to see it grade higher at a TPG like NGC or PCGS.   Value is somewhere around $1,800 to $2,000.   Here is an excerpt from the PCGS coinfacts written by David Akers about the 12-S.

  19. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from GoldFinger1969 in Morgans   
    @Tmoney11 All of the dollars in your photos, (you have a combination of Morgan and Peace dollars) are very common coins in varying levels of circulation.   While these coins have a sentimental value to you there is no real numismatic value for common coins in this condition.   Each is worth around $30 to $35 dollars which is the value of the silver used to produce them, this varies with the spot price of silver.
  20. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to The Neophyte Numismatist in Morgans   
    If I had a lot of silver dollars from my grandparents, I would buy a generic silver dollar Dansco Album without the dates under the holes.  This would allow me to enjoy my grandparents' collection in an organized way without feeling obligated to complete the set.
    Like @Coinbuf said, the coins you are showing are generally worth silver bullion spot.  However, that really doesn't matter at all.  My favorite coin in my collection is a  circulated 1922 Peace Dollar that my grandfather gave me when I was ~10.  It's worn and toned black.  The value is melt... but I would not trade it for a 1792 Disme (which is my dream coin).  Every time is see that beat-up Peace Dollar, I can remember the day my grandfather put it in my hand.
    Enjoy those coins.  The fact that they are not million dollar coins is a blessing, because you can keep them as memories.  If they were 7-figure coins, you would need tremendous willpower (and deep pockets) to be comfortable keeping it. 
  21. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from The Neophyte Numismatist in 1909 VDB Lincoln cent   
    Without question no.   I watch a few Lincoln cent FB groups and I am so mystified at how many of the people on those groups believe this is a rare or difficult to find coin.   This coin was the transition year so lots were horded and saved, it is very common all the way to MS66, I have three two in MS65, and one in MS66, not rare just a lot of unnecessary hoopla.
  22. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from The Neophyte Numismatist in Morgans   
    @Tmoney11 All of the dollars in your photos, (you have a combination of Morgan and Peace dollars) are very common coins in varying levels of circulation.   While these coins have a sentimental value to you there is no real numismatic value for common coins in this condition.   Each is worth around $30 to $35 dollars which is the value of the silver used to produce them, this varies with the spot price of silver.
  23. Like
    Coinbuf got a reaction from Sandon in Morgans   
    @Tmoney11 All of the dollars in your photos, (you have a combination of Morgan and Peace dollars) are very common coins in varying levels of circulation.   While these coins have a sentimental value to you there is no real numismatic value for common coins in this condition.   Each is worth around $30 to $35 dollars which is the value of the silver used to produce them, this varies with the spot price of silver.
  24. Like
    Coinbuf reacted to The Neophyte Numismatist in 1970 runny nose Lincoln penny no mint mark   
    The problem is worse than just eBay and YouTube giving out bad information.  There are several books written by legitimate, respected people in the coin community that are just garbage.  Books like "Strike it Rich with Pocket Change" and even the "Cherry Pickers Guide" can lead collectors to think the change they find in their pockets is valuable.  
    Obviously we know how rare it is to find something truly meaningful in change... but that doesn't stop those who want to sell books or get "likes".  In my mind people like Ken Potter are as much to blame as the content creators on Social Media.  It's all just a ploy to make money off the backs of the new collector.
  25. Thanks
    Coinbuf got a reaction from GoldFinger1969 in GTG: 1908 No Motto Saint   
    No, there is a regular no motto and then the Wells no motto, doesn't make any sense to split them in the archive to me but ok.