Grading, counterfeits and getting a fair deal.
A step-by-step timeline for deciding when professional coin grading is worth the fee and when the cost exceeds any possible gain in value.
A stage-by-stage timeline for a first-time online coin purchase: vetting sellers, comparing prices, paying safely and using the return window.
Which coins are most often faked, simple checks for weight, size, details and edges, the ‘COPY’ rule for replicas and how to buy with confidence.
How to sell coins for a fair price: take inventory, research values, compare dealers, auctions and online sales, handle inherited coins and plan for taxes.
How coin grading works: the Sheldon 1 to 70 scale, the main grade levels, what graders look for, proof coins and when professional grading is worth it.
Where to buy coins, how to research fair prices, what to know about dealers, auctions and online marketplaces, and the sales pitches that should make you wary.