This page serves as a definitive resource for collectors, focusing on the critical and often complex topic of coin grading. It acts as a central hub for articles and guides that explain what coin grading is, how it works, the standards used by top services, and why it is essential for determining a coin’s true market value.
By providing detailed, educational content on this fundamental numismatic process, American Rarities positions itself as a knowledgeable and trustworthy expert. This strategy builds a strong foundation of trust, encouraging collectors to seek out their professional appraisal services for an accurate assessment of their coins’ condition and authenticity.
Ten practical tips for selling a coin collection: don’t clean your coins, take an inventory, keep sets intact, know melt value from collector value, get written itemized offers, grade only when it pays, choose an established dealer, don’t let anyone cherry-pick, ship insured or meet in person, and know how you’ll be paid.
Understanding coin grading can be one of the most confusing parts of selling a collection. As a seller from Belvidere, Illinois, recently learned, not all grading companies are created equal,…
The differences between PCGS, NGC and ANACS, the three major coin grading services, and why the grading service on the holder matters when you sell.
Our top ten picks among classic U.S. rare coins, chosen for strong collector demand and lasting value.
A real case study of a counterfeit coin in a fake PCGS holder, and how to check a certified coin before you trust the slab.
Is your odd-looking coin a valuable mint error or just damage? How to tell genuine errors from post-mint damage.
What is a “double stamped” coin worth? How to tell a valuable doubled die or mint error from common mechanical doubling.
A case study of a fake $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coin in a fake PCGS holder, and how to spot counterfeit gold coins.
The number one mistake that can destroy a coin collection’s value: cleaning. A cautionary story from our years in the coin business.
Ten steps to determine the value of your rare coins, from identifying dates and mint marks to grading and getting a professional appraisal.