Welcome to Coin Collecting For Beginners.
Our goal here at Coin Collecting For Beginners is to give you some of the basic infromation you'll need to get started in the hobby of coin collecting. We'll strive to show you the basic things to look for when buying your first coins. I hope we can provide you with some valuable information as well as offer you a selection of ofther resources online where you can futher your coin collecting education. There are many local coin collecting clubs and organizations that your should definately seek out that can also help you in your quest to become an experienced coin collector
Coin Grading For Beginners
Beginner coin collectors should make it a priority to understand the basics of how to grade a coin. In my opinion this is one of the most important things you'll ever learn about coins. Knowing the difference between the various grades and conditions will save you tons of money over the life of your coin collecting hobby.
Here are some very basics about the various grades of coins
Fair - You can identify the coin as to its type.
There may be holes, it might be bent, or it might just have a LOT of honest wear. You may or may not see the date depending on the type and the nature of the wear. Fair coins are also sometimes called "filler" coins. That is because you can buy them very cheaply to fill the holes in your collection. Otherwise, you might never be able to afford the coin. Many people collect fair condition coins, especially the rarer dates and types. Dateless buffalo nickels, for example, are still worth about a dime. Some of the earlier type coins may be worth $50 or more in fair condition.
Good (G) - Heavily worn. Design and legend visible but faint in spots.
On some coins, full rims are not required for this grade. You must be able to read the date and mint mark.
These are not all the grades but I just wanted to show you some of the basic things you'll be looking for when you learn how to grade coins for your collection. Buying a coin collecting guide such as a red book is a very good way to get more detailed information about coin collecting and grading. Another good method of learning about the types of coins on the market and their grades is to visit our store American Silver Eagle
Here are some very basics about the various grades of coins
Fair - You can identify the coin as to its type.
There may be holes, it might be bent, or it might just have a LOT of honest wear. You may or may not see the date depending on the type and the nature of the wear. Fair coins are also sometimes called "filler" coins. That is because you can buy them very cheaply to fill the holes in your collection. Otherwise, you might never be able to afford the coin. Many people collect fair condition coins, especially the rarer dates and types. Dateless buffalo nickels, for example, are still worth about a dime. Some of the earlier type coins may be worth $50 or more in fair condition.
Good (G) - Heavily worn. Design and legend visible but faint in spots.
On some coins, full rims are not required for this grade. You must be able to read the date and mint mark.
These are not all the grades but I just wanted to show you some of the basic things you'll be looking for when you learn how to grade coins for your collection. Buying a coin collecting guide such as a red book is a very good way to get more detailed information about coin collecting and grading. Another good method of learning about the types of coins on the market and their grades is to visit our store American Silver Eagle
Very Good (VG) - Well worn. Design clear, but flat and lacking details.
Very Good is VG-8 on the Sheldon scale. The entire design is weak, but a few details are visible. Full rims are nearly always a requirement for this grade. A full rim means that you can see a line around the edge of the coin where it was raised up.
Fine (F) - Moderate to heavy even wear. Entire design clear and bold.
Fine is labelled F-12 in the Sheldon scale. Your average 1965 quarter from circulation is Fine. A lot of the details are gone, but you can still see a good deal of the design.
Very Fine (VF) - Light to medium wear. All major features are sharp.
VF coins come in VF-20, VF-25, VF-30 and occasionally VF-35. The key word here is major. Minor features such as some of the finer hair detail, feathers, etc. will be worn. Take a roll of quarters from the bank. Most of the coins from 1976-1983 or so will likely grade VF. Personally, I specialize in VF coins because they show most of the detail of the coin and are a fraction of the cost of higher grade coins. While they show honest wear, they are still very attractive and detailed. Note that silver and copper coins wear faster than clad coins, so VF probably represents between 1-3 years of use.
Very Good is VG-8 on the Sheldon scale. The entire design is weak, but a few details are visible. Full rims are nearly always a requirement for this grade. A full rim means that you can see a line around the edge of the coin where it was raised up.
Fine (F) - Moderate to heavy even wear. Entire design clear and bold.
Fine is labelled F-12 in the Sheldon scale. Your average 1965 quarter from circulation is Fine. A lot of the details are gone, but you can still see a good deal of the design.
Very Fine (VF) - Light to medium wear. All major features are sharp.
VF coins come in VF-20, VF-25, VF-30 and occasionally VF-35. The key word here is major. Minor features such as some of the finer hair detail, feathers, etc. will be worn. Take a roll of quarters from the bank. Most of the coins from 1976-1983 or so will likely grade VF. Personally, I specialize in VF coins because they show most of the detail of the coin and are a fraction of the cost of higher grade coins. While they show honest wear, they are still very attractive and detailed. Note that silver and copper coins wear faster than clad coins, so VF probably represents between 1-3 years of use.
These are not all the grades but I just wanted to show you some of the basic things you'll be looking for when you learn how to grade coins for your collection. Buying a coin collecting guide such as a red book is a very good way to get more detailed information about coin collecting and grading. Another good method of learning about the types of coins on the market and their grades is to visit our store American Silver Eagle