FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Keeping In Touch
How can I discuss numismatic questions with other coin collectors?

Questions For The Uninitiated
I have some coins that I know nothing about. How do I sell them?
I have some coins that I want to make into jewelry. Is that OK?
What is a coin's grade?
How do I grade my coins?

Questions about handling coins
How do I clean my coins?

Keeping In Touch

How can I discuss numismatic questions with other coin collectors?
You can join the RNA's public mailing list, where all your questions can be answered and you can help others with their own questions. Everyone's invited, you don't need to be an RNA member. This forum is part of our goal as an educational group.

Send an email to RNA-Public-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. This automated system will add you to the list's membership. A message will be sent to you with clear instructions for submitting questions.

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Questions For The Uninitiated

I have some coins that I know nothing about. How do I sell them?
Those of us who collect coins would think the best answer is to study-up on the coins you have before making any decisions. This is good advice, but I'll assume you're reading this because you've come into these coins somehow and you have no real interest in becoming a coin expert (numismatist). The easiest solution is to bring them to a dealer and ask for an offer. You should bring them to two or three dealers and pick the dealer you feel best about. Most dealers are generally honest people who will treat you fairly. But there are a few bad dealers. By seeing several dealers you should be able to recognize if one is trying to take advantage of you. See Selling For The Uninitiated for a more detailed answer.

I have some coins that I want to make into jewelry. Is that OK?
You can do whatever you want. They're your coins. Keep in mind that anything you do to the coin to make into a piece of jewelry will reduce it's value as a collectible. The most common ways coins are modified for jewelry is polishing, drilling, or placing in a bezel. Even if your method of making jewelry doesn't harm the coin, you will be exposing it to ware when it is worn. This will certainly reduce its grade and its value. Some people will argue that make a coin into jewelry is somehow immoral, or otherwise just wrong. You have to decide this for yourself.

What is a coin's grade?

Most coin collectors desire coins with as little wear as possible. To ease discussion of a coin's amount of wear collectors adopted a numerical system that ranges from 1 to 70. Coins with a grade of 70 are perfect examples with no scratches, wear, or discoloration. Coins witha grade of 1 are barely recognizable.

This system also incorporates a set of names for some of the numbers.

Grade	Name
MS-70	Mint State 70 - Perfect Uncirculated
MS-65	Mint State 65 - Choice Uncirculated
MS-60	Mint State 60 - Uncirculated
AU-55	About Uncirculated 55
AU-50	About Uncirculated 50
EF-45	Choice Extremely Fine
EF-40	Extremely Fine
VF-30	Choice Very Fine
VF-20	Very Fine
F-12	Fine
VG-8	Very Good
G-4	Good
AG-3	About Good

How do I grade my coins?

The numbering system (see above) makes it look like grading is straightforward. Unfortunatly, even experienced collectors often disagree on a given coin's grade. Grading is more art than science.

There are books that go into great depth on this subject. Your local coin dealer probably has them in stock. Also, PCGS ofers an the PCGS Photograde Online pictoral description of grades for most US coins. Lacking any written description of what's relevant in each picture this reference can give only a ballpark grade.

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Questions about handling coins

How do I clean my coins?
Don't. Unlike most other antiques a coin that is cleaned or polished is less desirable than one with an original surface. The point here is a dirty coin with "original surfaces" is more valuable than the same coin after it's been cleaned. Cleaning your coins will lose you money.

If you have a valuable coin that is so dirty or covered in "gunk" you can have it professionally conserved. Conservation is a fancy term that means "cleaned". A professional will do this work and do the least amount of damage to the coin while removing the most dirt as possible and keep the coin looking a natural as possible.

For more information drop us a note at Rochester Numismatic Association, P.O. Box 10056, Rochester, NY 14610-0056, or send an email to our "Information Officer" Tim Corio.