I would stay away from coin stores initially. Mostly they would downgrade your coins in order to give you less for them. It's better to check with a local coin club or your state numismatic society. Grading services such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corp.) or ANACS (the coin grading service of the American Numismatic Association) are all good, but they probably will charge you for their services. When you say "Good" condition, be aware that can mean something different than what you may think. "Good" condition as a numismatic term means that coins are generally very worn with few details left. Their value is usually low (except for low mintage coins). The expanded condition rating system goes from Poor to MS 70. Poor, fair, good, very good, fine, very fine, extra fine, uncirculated, brilliant uncirculated, and various MS (number) ratings up to MS 70 constitute the entire system. There are additional grades as well, but no need to go into that here. Unless you are well versed in grading coins, what you think "good" means may actually mean worn out. If that's the case, then it may not be worth sending your coins to grading services. It certainly would not be worth slabbing them. Start with a local coin club or someone you trust. Also, don't send your coins away for valuation unless it's with a professional coin grading service. And if you do, document what you're sending away.
Jeff Tenuth
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis, Indiana
________________________________
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of TOdd Bothel
Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 4:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Coin Collection
Check with a local coin collectors club or coin store. Generally better not to clean them (decreases value). Coin stores will have coin/bill storage containers and price guides. There are grading services that will also slab the coins/bills. If you have any questions, you can contact me offline.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Van Ness <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sun, Feb 21, 2010 3:56 pm
Subject: Coin Collection
Hey all,
I have done Archaeology in the past for four years and finishing up my masters at WKU in Folk Studies and had a question about whom to talk with in VA about a coin collection. My wife's mothers sister has a huge coin collection she got from her late husband.
Some of the coins include a Washington Piece 1792, Morgan Dollar 1886, Columbian 1/2 dollars, some Japan/France 5 and 10 dollar bills. These are just a few of probably hundreds of coins she has. Most are in good condition. I did archaeology but never looked at coins.
I live in Richmond, VA. Where does one go, should I go to the Smithsonian in DC or is there someone in Richmond who might be able to look at some of these coins, too many to go through in a day, and give us idea on how to preserve, etc.?
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Gordon Van Ness
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