Counterfeits, know how to spot them
Fakes are prolific in outlets such as eBay, Facebook, Amazon, Etsy and others.
The coin buyer must be diligent and knowledgeable above all else.
A 1878 O Morgan silver dollar from the New Orleans mint Great, a good find is it not? No it is not
The New Orleans mint did not make a Morgan dollar until 1879. Those unaware of facts such as
this are a good mark for the unscrupulous.
On the subject of the unscrupulous, there are those that doctor their photos for auction sites.
These were saved from the web two days apart. The graffiti visible in the first is obviously
coved up in the next photo. I happened on this coin being auctioned which had a history with.
A quite scarce and costly 1936 Reeded Edge Capped Bust Half Dollar which I had suffered the
unfortunate loss of a good sized bit of cash because I couldn’t give up my scruples. The graffiti
is a dead give-away. Small world and it is difficult to protect yourself from the unscrupulous.
Grading
The questions you need to ask yourself about a coin are these:
- Has this been cleaned in the past? Cleaning is usually visible as hairline scratches all running the same direction and it will be uncharacteristically shiny. A dipped silver coin will lose its luster and look dull. Never clean or rub your coins with anything. It destroys a great deal of their value to a collector.
- Should I send this to a grading company? That is a personal thing and involves finances. Grading is not inexpensive and you need to be certain the coin is worth spending more on. Many disappointments are in store for the poorly informed.
- These are things we can help you decide. We have looked at thousands upon thousands of coins and notes. We also have submission privileges at all the major grading outfits and can help you decide what is worth the expense. Having a coin graded not only increases its value, it also helps preserve it in its present state inside a hermetically sealed holder. The same is done with paper money.
- Should I sell or keep these for my heirs? That, again, is a strictly personal choice and we cannot help you with it. Our philosophy on coin and currency collecting is this, “We don’t own these things so much as we act as their caretaker for awhile. We study and admire them. To pass them on, whether to your offspring, friends or strangers by sale is fine whatever you so choose. Regardless, eventually they will get passed on and change hands without our interference.”
Consignment Services
We offer professional consignment services for coin collections, ensuring a seamless process for owners wishing to sell while maximizing value through our extensive network and participation in local and national coin shows. References available.
We travel often to coin, currency & stamp shows locally and across the eastern US to shop, sell and network with other dealers and enthusiasts. Face to face is the best way to buy and sell. There are always good conversations with those who share your interests.
Those shows we rent a booth at are the best outlet for your coins. We rent tables at no less then two a month. Online auctions are another avenue but the fees take a big bite. We prefer the face to face at these shows and guarantee all we sell to be genuine. US gold and silver normally sell themselves when the market is on the rise.
Bullion, Should I Invest?
Our expertise does not extend to investment counseling nor would we presume to do so. But, should a portion of our savings or investments be in bullion as a hedge against the inevitable devaluation of our money? We believe so and most financial experts share this opinion. Gold and silver has always been and always will be of value due to the difficulty and expense in procuring its finite supply, its usefulness in electronics, other industries and our perception of its value. As I write, silver melt value is $58.27 (12/5/2025)
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