The basic model of rare coin grading for the two largest grading services, Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Corp., has remained the same since the firms were started in 1986 and 1987, respectively.

But some major changes could soon change the way rare coins are graded.

PCGS- and NGC-graded coins have the most fluid marketability in both sight-seen (meaning dealers can view the coins before buying) and sight-unseen (dealers choose to accept a coin in a holder at a given grade) markets.

PCGS has been claiming that on March 25 it will announce “the big one” – a new concept for its grading services that company officials have called the “next step” that is “going to change coin grading for the better” and “will totally revolutionize the coin grading business.”

PCGS slabs especially have been the target of Chinese counterfeiters producing fake slabs housing fake coins. The counterfeiters duplicate the unique certification number for a genuine PCGS slab, adding to the deceptiveness.

As Chinese counterfeiters improve their skills, and in the absence of any government intervention to stop the flow of counterfeits into the country, the grading services are learning and adjusting to protect the integrity of their slabs, safeguard the rare coin collecting hobby, and protect their revenue sources.

Shawn Penny

Some gold investors hear the term “overseas coins”, and are immediately turned off by the concept, since European coins simply don’t generate a hotbed of investment activity here in the United States, and pre 1933 rare coins like $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens coins are far more valued. The vast majority of these 22-karat, one-ounce gold coins were confiscated from U.S. citizens and subsequently melted in 1933, and in following years. The U.S. gold confiscation was implemented to restore strength to a fledgling dollar, and faltering banking system, forcing Americans to sell their bullion back to the government for $20 an ounce, and then raising the price of gold to $35 an ounce.

Even though millions of one-ounce, $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens gold coins were destroyed, many of these coins found their way into European bank vaults years before the U.S. gold bullion confiscation of 1933. Today, surviving pre 1933 rare coins are deemed to be irretrievable through a second possible U.S. bullion confiscation, which is one of the reasons why they are widely considered to be one of the best means of long-term wealth storage. Pre 1933 Double Eagle coins contain almost a full troy-ounce of pure gold, but their numismatic value appreciates more dramatically than the current gold spot price over long periods of time.

Prospective investors who wish to avoid paying retail prices for their pre 1933 rare coins are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists. These highly experienced gold investment experts can answer your questions about current market conditions, as well as offer institutional discounts on bullion, and certified rare gold coin to household investors like you.

Shawn Penny

This web-blogger will immediately end any suspense attached to the question, “Are all gold coins rare coins?” The answer is a definitive no. It’s true that all real gold coins are generally costly, but a gold coins must hold a strictly regarded criteria for classifying as a rare gold coin. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) states that for a gold coin to be considered to be rare (and therefore, non-confiscatable), the value of the coin must be worth at least fifteen-percent more than the value of the precious metal content of that coin.

For example; if the spot price of gold were $1000 per troy ounce, a non-modern, one-ounce coin, must have an overall worth of at least $1,150, to be considered a rare gold coin. Many of today’s trend savvy investors are converting the bulk of their wealth into rare coins, and officially certifying their numismatic rarities through either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).

Rare gold coin generally tends to appreciate more dramatically than bullion bars and coins over long periods of time, making them widely considered to be among the best long-term investments for financial stability. Since it is wise to hold onto these coins for prolonged periods, it is also wise to diversify with bullion, since bullion prices adhere to the current gold spot price, and bullion is less complicated to liquidate in small amounts if liquidity is needed.

Individuals who are considering a long-term rare coin purchase, or who seek answers to precious metal investment questions are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists today.

Shawn Penny

Even though rare coin auctions are generally vehicles for marketing more obscure, rare coinage, many of today’s mainstream precious metals investors are gaining interest in these functions. Hopeful individuals scan these online and live events in the hopes of finding an array of rare, investment-grade treasures at a bargain price. Most “in person” rare coin auctions are silent, with bids being submitted in writing over the course of six to eight hours per day. Some clearinghouses even allow bids by telephone, and even by text messaging. However, the rarest of the rare can also be auctioned off in the traditional manner, complete with an authentic rapid-fire auctioneer, for greater media coverage and public turnout.

To submit a rare coin for auction, the respective owners are required to deliver the coins to the auction house at least 48 hours before the auction is to be held. Other requirements include digital copies of each coin, as well as proof of authentication and ownership. If one wishes to purchase rare coins through such an auction, schedules are available via the Internet for personal appearance.

Rare coins are also available through online clearinghouses, and in these forums, the seller privately maintains possession of the items until the auction closes.

There have been some attractive opportunities on eBay as of late, but fast action is required, as bids can jump dramatically in the closing moments of the auction. Those who wish to play their finances more “close to the vest”, may want to buy rare coins through a secure online platform, where the price of the coin is frozen up front.

Shawn Penny

Rare coin price increases were seen this week, but not across the board. While two of the most popular investment-grade rare gold coins showed a 3:1 profit over the pre-ounce gold bullion spot price, some specialty pieces lost substantial value in the aftermath of the somewhat disappointing Long Beach Coin Show.

Although some coins achieved more than their expected value at this recent show, which was highly anticipated by many of the world’s leading numismatists, the majority of pieces sold for less than their expected value and two traders I’ve spoken with mentioned that there was a visible lack of interest in specialty coins. The Long Beach Coin Show isn’t the first coin show that I’ve heard this about recently, but it actually seems to be more of a regular trend these days.

While certain coins have performed quite well under the duress of the current recession, values of other types of coins have been driven down almost as harshly as stock and real estate values. Collectors simply can’t afford to pay those ultra-high premiums for rare dates and specially minted coins right now. However, not all is lost. The current trends show that widely traded coins, such as common year American coins minted prior to 1933, have much more upside potential than any extremely rare pieces.

The latest rare coin price increases can be attributed to a drop, not only in the dollar but also in Americans’ confidence in our economy, and if you have long-term concerns about our nation’s financial welfare as well as your own then a rare coin investment may be wise. Call Rare-Coin.org or send us an email if you would like a free portfolio assessment as well as our award-winning investment brochure.

Holders of substantial, long-term wealth know that rare gold coin prices are so high, because they pay for more than just the value of their precious metal content. Rare gold coins are completely private, liquid assets, that have been used to store large sums of wealth for centuries, and their inherent numismatic value has enormous potential for dramatic appreciation, particularly during long-term economic recessions like our present one.

Modern nomenclature for rare coin investing means officially certifying the numismatic value of rare gold coins like Double Eagles, with “mint state grades”. These grades are based on a 70-point “Sheldon Scale”, with higher grades correlating with higher rare gold coin prices. Investment-quality coins typically carry mint state grades that range between 61, and 66, and buyers should only trust either PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), for their rare coin certification.

The aforementioned Double Eagle coins are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, and are widely considered to be the ideal long-term investment for their rare gold coin prices. They contain nearly a full troy-ounce of pure gold, but their numismatic value is why trend savvy investors choose these coins for long-term wealth protection. Investors are encouraged to research websites like www.pcgs.com, or www.ngccoin.com, to better understand the benefits of numismatic certification.

Those who have completed their research are also encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on Double Eagles, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Paul Mattias

Holders of real wealth know that rare coin investments are one of the most historically secure ways to protect, and even grow wealth throughout even the most adverse economic conditions. Gold in its’ elemental form is precious in and of itself, and its’ value historically increases during strenuous economic cycles, because it backs the value of all printed currency in existence (www.responsiblegold.org) This correlation is typically reflected in the gold “spot price”, which represents the cost of one troy-ounce of pure gold, and is also the financial “springboard” for rare coins investments.

Unlike bullion bars and coins, rare coin investments contain numismatic value, which substantially elevates their prices above the current gold spot price. This inherent value is historically apt to appreciate throughout long-term economic recessions, as certain rare gold coins appreciated by as much as nearly 1000%, during the recession of the 1970s. Many of today’s pragmatic investors are taking a page from history, and investing in certified rare gold coins, to assure a more sound financial future.

Two of the most widely purchased rare gold coins are $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, and it advisable to only certify their numismatic value through either the PCGS, (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). Smaller denominated rare gold coins include $10 “Eagles”, as well as $5 “Half-Eagles”, and $2.5 “Quarter-Eagles”, which can be used to round off various budgets.

Prospective buyers can avoid paying ridiculously high retail prices for their certified rare gold coins by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and other coins to household investors like you.

Paul Mattias

Since the philosophy behind investing in rare gold coins lies in capitalizing on long-term-appreciating numismatic value, it is advisable for investors to purchase PCGS certified gold coins for this purpose. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) was incepted in 1986, to make rare gold coin trading more appealing, accessible, and practical for both corporate, and household investors. The PCGS has officially certified more than nineteen million rare coins since, and has also helped to virtually rid the industry of tampered coins, or counterfeits. For all of these reasons and more, PCGS certified gold coins are widely considered to be one of the most ideal long-term investments for financial protection, and safety.

PCGS certified gold coins undergo an individual examination by a group of rare coin experts, with decades of combined experienced in the coin trading industry. These experts search for imperfections like wear marks along various coins’ “high points”, mint marks, or date marks. Each coin is then assigned an official “mint state grade”, which is based on a 70-point “Sheldon Scale”, and is used to determine each coin’s respective numismatic value. The coins are then “slabbed”, which means that they are each sonically sealed in a tamper-resistant, plastic container called a slab, which comes equipped with its’ own serial number, and bar code, for positive identification.

Investors who complete their research, are encouraged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other rare gold coins to household investors like you.

Paul Mattias

Economic trends move in cycles, and some of these cycles contain elements like devalued printed currency, and overextended domestic, and foreign debt. Historically, more experienced, successful individuals recognize these “belt-tightening” trends when they occur, and capitalize on rising gold prices, while the reactionary masses clip coupons, and painfully await the advent of the next economic revival. (See you around the year 2020.Where did you leave the good scissors?)

A bit of fundamental research will reveal that rare coin investing is one of the most efficient ways to safely store large sums of wealth, while even possibly accumulating worth throughout stagnant economic cycles. Long-term rare coin investing can also prove to be prolific, because the numismatic value that rare coins possess has a propensity for dramatic appreciation during long-term recessions.

Investment-quality rare gold coins are generally certified with “mint state grades”, which designate their numismatic value, and investors should rely solely on either the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), for official certification. Many of today’s serious long-term investors are purchasing Double Eagle coins, which are rare, $20 Lady Liberty, and $20 Saint Gaudens, 22-karat gold coins, minted from 1850 to 1907, and from 1907 to 1933, respectively. These coins not only contain almost a full troy-ounce of pure gold, their numismatic value makes them among the most widely sought rare coins in the industry.

Investors can avoid paying outrageously over marked retail prices for their PCGS, and NGC-certified rare gold coins by contacting one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on these, and many other gold coins to household investors like you.

Paul Mattias

Long-term investments in rare gold coins like Double Eagles have been widely growing in popularity since 2001, and prospective investors can benefit from uncovering the answer to the question, “How Do PCGS Rare Coins Get Certified?”

A team of numismatic experts, who authenticate each coin, and designate their value with an official “mint state grades”, individually examines each rare coin. These experts look for wear marks, or cleaning abrasions that are on, or around crucial areas of each coin, such as their “high points”, or date marks. The highest possible grade that a rare coin can hold is a 70, but investment-quality coins generally carry mint state grades that range between 61, and 66. Each certified coin is then sonically sealed in a tamper-resistant container that holds its’ own serial number, and bar code.

The PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) was incepted in 1986, and is globally recognized as the pioneer of modern, rare coin assaying. Investors and collectors can either purchase rare coins that have already been certified by the PCGS, or pay a small premium, and send their rare coins to the PCGS for numismatic certification, which features a 70-point “Sheldon Scale”.

This scale has globally popularized rare gold coin trading, as PCGS-certified rare gold coins are now considered to be numerically valued commodities, rather than subjectively evaluated, or “speculative” long-term assets. This modern evaluation system allows for rare coins to be traded “sight-unseen”, and grants investors with a viable option for long-term financial protection.

Investors who complete their research are urged to contact one of our friendly specialists, who offer institutional discounts on PCGS-certified rare gold coins, to household investors like you.

Paul Mattias