Flowing hair silver dollars seem to have little collector interest compared to the later varieties. There are very few experts in this area of coin collecting.

Flowing hair dollars are very scarce compared to Morgan & Peace dollars, and yet they are reasonable priced for their scarcity. They have an attractive design and are far less standardized than Morgan or Peace dollars. They also have the advantage of far less price volatility than Morgan or Peace dollars.

The Mint Act of 1792 provided for the coinage of silver dollars to be a par with Mexican and Spanish dollars. They were to weigh 416 grains. Eventually the weight was adjusted to 412.5 grains of 90% silver before silver dollars were actually produced in 1794.

A total of 1758, 1794 silver dollars were struck and sent to New England. They appeared to be weakly struck. But the strike wasn't the biggest problem. After only a few coins were struck, the dies became misaligned. So the dies were no longer parallel to each other.

That means the left side of 1794 dollars is almost always weak. Typical of first year of issue coinage, an abnormally high percentage were saved as keepsakes. Even at that, there are only 180 or so pieces known to exist. The majority of them grade only fair to very good, with only a dozen known MS examples.

1794 dollars are difficult to properly grade. In addition to striking problems, many of the coins show heavy, or more-than-usual adjustment marks. Many existing 1794 pieces have been repaired, by drilling and plugging, or damaged when someone's initials were engraved in the coin sometime early in its life.

These problem coins won't be graded by grading services and should be avoided altogether by collectors. Another common negative feature exists with these coins. It is the attempted strengthening of hair detail.

Hair strengthening can be detected by looking at the overall quality of the coin. If the coin has generally poor detail, but the hair detail looks strong, it's a sign of tampering. Hair detail wasn't strong to begin with, and was the first area to wear in circulation.

The much more obtainable Flowing Hair Liberty Dollar is the 1975 with its mintage of 160,295. They are often weakly struck at the centers and will likely lack detail on the eagle's breast feathers and wing tops.

Adjustment file marks are common on these coins as well. By October of 1795, the Draped Bust design had been adopted, with 42,738 examples produced. Like the 1921 silver dollar series, this year is fun to have an example of each of the dollars minted that year.

I must apologize for using a politically incorrect term in this article. I mentioned "problem coins" a couple of times. I really meant to say "challenged coins". Please forgive my oversight.

To discover more about coins: collecting issues, money management, investing in the rare and bullion coin market, and much more, I invite you to visit http://www.heritagecoingallery.com for videos and free tips on buying coins at the best prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8792351

As late as the early 1970's, the coin market was dominated by dealers and collectors. Even though the collectors often made money on their coins, they didn't consider themselves to be investors.

As late as the early 1970's, the coin market was dominated by dealers and collectors. Even though the collectors often made money on their coins, they didn't consider themselves to be investors.

A couple of things combined to get the interest of non-collectors in the rare coin market by the mid 1970's:

1. Sale of surplus silver dollars by the U.S. Treasury

2. Lifting ban on gold ownership in place since the 1930's.

Both of these actions helped draw public attention to the coin market and many new people started buying them. This helped propel the coin market for the next decade.

Ultra-rare coins were commanding unprecedented prices. There are famous collections that earned phenomenal profits for the owners or their heirs. The Garrett, Norweb and Eliasberg Collections are examples of coin collectors who would accept only the finest, and as a result made huge dividends with their later sale.

The Redfield hoard added some 407,000 Morgan Silver Dollars to the thin rare coin market. Many analysts were concerned that this would create an oversupply, and send the coin market into a depression. After all, the rare silver dollar market was still trying to absorb the Federal Government silver sell-off of the 1960's.

The exact opposite effect took place. The Redfield hoard led to a dramatic increase in prices by attracting many new collectors into the market. The Redfield coins created a new demand that exceeded the new supply. Marketing and media exposure were the primary driver for this new interest.

Investors arrived into the rare coin market and demanded exceptional quality. Collectors normally place more emphasis on rarity, while investors place a premium on quality.

Third party grading accelerated the preoccupation with high mint state quality coins. Slight differences in MS grades, for example MS-64 and MS-65 will result in great price disparities. As a consequence, accurate grading became imperative.

The grading revolution of the mid to late 1980's put coins back on track as investment vehicles. Investors could now have more confidence in their coin purchases. Common date Morgans are the single most traded coins. They exist in large numbers in MS grades and trade within a narrow range, similar to commodities.

The changes in the coin market during the 70's and 80's have led to a new breed of buyer, part investor and part collector. These people enjoy the best of both worlds.

They admire the coin's heritage, at the same time look for coins that will appreciate in value over time. Profit potential and sound business decisions are driving factors in the purchase of their collectible silver coins.

The super grade coins, MS-66 and above have the combination of rarity and quality that make them irresistible to the modern investor/collector. These specimens have increased in value faster than their more common siblings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8782799

When looked at critically, the only thing that is backing money is the credit of the government. Therefore, increasing money supply effectively leads to lowered purchasing power of the dollar, which is comparable to what happens when companies issue extra shares of stock, hence diluting ownership of existing owners. On the other hand, gold remains consistent, while maintaining its inherent value, which makes it a reliable investment.

In order to truly appreciate how valuable gold is and to get a better understanding of gold-related investment, you first need to understand a bit of the history of the worldwide transition from gold-backed to fiat currency.

The Transition From Gold-Backed To Fiat Currency

For thousands of years, gold was either used as a currency or as a backing for currency, but this changed in the recent past. It has also been used as an investment product for a long time, which still continues to this day. Currency that is backed by the precious metal is simply called 'gold-backed currency'.

On the other hand, 'fiat currency' isn't backed by gold, silver or even real estate. Moreover, such a currency isn't created by the free market, but it's instead created by fiat (a decree or arbitrary order) of the government. Virtually all currency in the entire world is a fiat currency. This includes the Australian dollar, US dollar, Great Britain pound, euro, Japanese Yen and many others.

If you're wondering when all currencies shifted from gold-backed to fiat, it all started in 1944. The World Bank archives reveal that representatives from 44 major countries of the world met at the Bretton Woods Conference (officially called the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference) where the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was created. The IMF served the purpose of maintaining a fixed exchange rates system, based on the US dollar and gold (this was the first deviation from purely gold-backed currency).

The US Department of State goes further to reveal that the move from purely gold-backed currency was further advanced in 1971, when the US dollar's convertibility into gold was suspended by President Richard Nixon. Finally, in 1973, the major industrialized nations all adopted floating exchange rates (an exchange-rate regime whereby the currency fluctuates based on the foreign-exchange market) as the norm for their currencies.

How Gold Buyers Benefit From The Fiat Currency/Floating Exchange Rates

Although a currency's value under floating exchange rates primarily depends on the strength of the economy, many variables can affect this value in the short term. These include such aspects as: new home sales, retail sales, sentiment of traders and non-farm payroll. This has the effect of making gold an excellent product to hedge against inflation, since it isn't attached to currency. Such a beneficial aspect has made this precious metal quite popular as part of the portfolio for experienced investors.

When looked at critically, the only thing that is backing money is the credit of the government. Therefore, increasing money supply effectively leads to lowered purchasing power of the dollar, which is comparable to what happens when companies issue extra shares of stock, hence diluting ownership of existing owners. On the other hand, gold remains consistent, while maintaining its inherent value, which makes it a reliable investment. Moreover, this precious metal has been consistently increasing in price, even during currency inflation (by February 2014 the gold price per ounce had reached a high of US$1,323.25, based on data from the Queensland Parliamentary Library and Research Service).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8777792

Super visa is a very beneficial way of traveling to Canada on a very short notice period; this visa is given only to parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. The super visa has helped many families to reunite with their elders. The super visa is valid for a period of ten years and this is a multi entry visa and rules out the renewing of visits to Canada every time.

Super visa is a very beneficial way of traveling to Canada on a very short notice period; this visa is given only to parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. It has helped many families to reunite with their elders. It is valid for a period of ten years and this is a multi entry visa and rules out the renewing of visits to Canada every time. The super visa allows staying in Canada for a period of two years at once, unlike the visitor's visa which allows only a stay of six months.

The main criteria for applying for super visa is medical insurance, which should be bought from a private Canadian insurance company only. Canadian medical care and hospitalization are very expensive for non residents so it is better to buy insurance instead of spending your money on your unexpected health issues. The medical insurance should be valid for a period of one year and should give coverage of $100,000 minimum.

The super visa medical insurance covers hospitalization, cost of treatment by physician or surgeon, cost of x-rays and other diagnostic tests, covers emergency room charges and covers the cost of prescription drugs and return of the person to the place of origin and even the remains of the person in case of death.

Super visa medical insurance is easy to buy and can be bought online by filling a simple form with the correct details. The medical questionnaire should be filled in very correctly, here do not lie about your medical conditions in case to buy a cheaper policy because all the policies offered do not cover the pre-existing medical conditions if you have any, so it is better you do not lie and truthfully answer all the questions and get a policy which suits you the most. Most policies do not cover the pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc. each company has a different policy for pre-existing conditions.

There are many companies selling the medical insurance you can choose from anyone but keep in mind that before buying compare the policy that the company has to offer you, get an online quote and compare it and only then buy. The cost of medical insurance depends upon your medical conditions like the pre-existing conditions for which you will have to pay more and it also depends upon the age of the person. Trust your advisor when buying a policy as he/she will help you in getting the premium at the time of claim.

The full premium is to be paid at once and if yourapplication for visa is rejected then the refund is given and also if you wantto return back without completing the one year of stay the refund is given onthe unused balance. There is also an option of extending your stay in Canada,but you will have to buy another policy before the first one expires.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8627998

Bike Insurance: Is it really worth it? And what do you do should the worst happen?

You will fall. Hopefully when you do it won't be too bad. When I think about falling I do worry about getting injured as any time off the bike will affect my season or possibly even cycling career. But what worries me more is the damage that could happen to my bike. My two prized possessions are my road bike and my time trial bike, I'm not going to brag about how much I paid but if you know what you're talking about they aren't cheap by most peoples standards. So if I break or damage an essential component, let's say the frame, what can I do to fix it. Well in some scenarios and to those who have no insurance the answer is nothing. You've lost it all unless you can prove someone else is at fault and even then you may have a legal challenge on your hands.

If the worst does happen what's the best course of action. First you need to assess the situation, do you or anyone need medical attention and are you in any further immediate danger, say from oncoming traffic. If the answer to those is no then you can move onto worrying about your bike. If someone else is at fault you're going to want to start compiling a list of evidence even if the other party seem co-operative that may change once you part ways. Of course this can be difficult if you're a little shaken up, hopefully you won't be alone if you are (or even if you aren't) you may want to call for police assistance. Whatever happens you will need as many pictures and witness names and contact details as possible. Should a dispute arise you will need this. Hopefully it won't come to it but better prepared than not.

If you are going to insure your bike you've got lots of options. Sadly it seems to come down to the price of the bike, the cheapest quote I got my road bike was well over £300.00. What gripes me the most is that when I went to add my winter bike to the policy they wanted more money, my point was how they can charge more when I'm only riding one at a time. I guess they could be stolen together, but as you'll find out on your search for a good deal (and with all insurances) it seems to be a massive con. My first bit of advice is compare the comparison sites. They do have differences sometimes, some sites have affiliations with different brokers and you may find a better deal on another site. If you're a British Cycling member you can get a discount through their provider, but even then it wasn't the cheapest quote I got.

Possibly my best bit of advice, and I fell into this completely accidentally. Think outside the box. Do you have another insurance policy you can add your bike too. My house insurance actually covered my bikes as an additional to my policy, gutted as I did pay for insurance on one of my bikes once! The cost was much less than getting a policy for my bikes and what's even better is they cover accidental damage to wheels, and option not always available with bike insurers. When I cracked my carbon wheel in a pothole my house insurance forked out for a replacement. Top stuff from mine, hopefully you're covered too!

It may be the last thing on your mind but it won't be should the worse happen. As if being without a bike wouldn't be bad enough the thought of having to replace it out of your hard earned cash is devastating. A little preparation now could save you a lot in the future. And should be involved in an accident that's not your fault just remember to remain calm and take account of the situation. The emergency services are there for these exact situations.

Pav Bryan - Owner & Coach

Pav Bryan Cycling Coach

Advanced Wattbike Cycling Performance & Fitness Testing,& Coaching

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8650567

U.S. Trade Dollars were never intended to be the same as silver dollars for domestic circulation, even though they have the same one dollar face value. The two coins were produced to serve very different purposes.

Trade Dollars were designed and minted essentially as bullion coins for trade in the orient.

American Trade Dollars, as well as all post 1836 Silver Dollars were specified to be 90% silver and 10% copper, but the Trade unit weighs slightly more. The Trade Dollar weighs in at 420 grains, while the U.S. silver dollar weighs 412.5 grains.

American circulating Silver Dollars were just too light to interest Chinese businessmen, so a silver coin was developed with increased weight to compete with the slightly heavier Mexican and Spanish 8 Reales, or the British Crown.

Trade Dollars weren't intended to circulate in the U.S., although a few did. Americans strangely enough shunned them for domestic trade. This coin was created to be used for trade in the Orient, especially with businesses at the ports in Canton and in Hong Kong.

In the 19th century, the Chinese used silver as their primary medium of exchange. Before the U.S. Trade Dollar came into existence, Americans trading with the Chinese often resorted to Spanish or Mexican silver 8 Reales coins. The U.S. wanted a coin to compete directly with these coins.

The Chinese merchants would test the foreign silver coins and stamp their insignia on the coin. These stamps are now known as chop marks. You can find these chop marks on any of the coins used in trade with the orient.

During the 1860s, U.S. citizens with silver mining interests sought ways to market more silver. They persuaded Congress and other U.S. government officials that Trade Dollars should be minted for foreign use.

It was costly for U.S. businesses to exchange U.S. silver dollars for Spanish or Mexican 8 Reales coins before doing business with the Chinese. It made sense for U.S. businesses to get silver coins minted in the U.S., rather than use foreign silver coins for trade with China.

The Coinage Act of 1873 made Trade Dollars legal tender. Barber designs were used for this now rare American coin. Production stopped in 1878, except for a few proof coins.

France, Britain and Japan also developed their own dollar to the same standards as the other foreign countries for use in trade with the Orient. The newly opened oriental market was very lucrative for western merchants.

Nearly 36 million Trade Dollars were produced from 1873 to 1878, with the vast majority after 1875. It was more efficient for the San Francisco and Carson City Mints to use silver mined in the western U.S. for these coins. Therefore the majority of Trade Dollars came from San Francisco. They minted more than Philadelphia and Carson City combined.

As far as collecting goes, the chopped coins are generally considered problem coins and not worth as much as their unchopped counterparts. Uncirculated versions are relatively scarce, but are really beautiful specimens of U.S. silver coinage and one of Barber's better designs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8651791

If you are buying gold bullion for the first time, you should not be worried. This is because the following article will give you the tips that you need to consider for you to successfully buy the right product.

Understand the bullion that you want to buy

There are two main forms of gold bullion: gold coins and gold bars. A gold coin is a government-issued legal tender. Common coins are: Gold American Eagles, Gold South African Krugerrands, Gold Chinese Pandas, Australian Kangaroos and many others.

The legal tender of value of these coins represents just a minute fraction of the metallic value.

Gold bars on the other hand are non-government issued and they are sold solely for their metallic content. They come in different brands where the most common brands are: Pamp Suisse, Credit Suisse, and Perth Mint.

Both gold bars and coins come in different prices which are usually determined by the purity of the metal.

When making the purchase, it's recommended that you go for the most popular bullion. One of the most popular forms of gold bullion is the one-ounce gold coin which is very easy to buy and sell.

Look out for the weight and purity of the bullion

Precious metals are usually measured in troy ounces and they come in different purity levels. You should note that the purer the metal, the more expensive it is. While the purest gold is expensive, it's very valuable and its demand is high; therefore, you will have a very easy time selling it.

Be wary of where you buy from

Due to the demand of the metal, there are many online dealers: both fake and legitimate. To avoid being ripped off, you should be very wary of the dealer that you buy from.

Before you make your purchase, you should consider the dealer's better business bureau rating. If the dealer has a good rating you should buy from him; however, if the dealer has a poor rating, you should take to your heels.

Once you have identified a good dealer, you should ask for discounts and deals especially if you are planning of making large purchases.

Conclusion

These are the tips that you should consider for you to buy the right metal. If you are buying the metal online, the first thing that you should do once you receive it is to take it to the nearest coin shop.

Here the professionals will test it to confirm that it's real gold. They will also give it their "stamp of approval" which will give you peace of mind since you will know that the product you have is sellable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8657036

The rare coin market like any other healthy market has its ups and downs. Pre WWII coins have been around long enough to have an established market. The modern issue coins can and often have a flash-in-pan type following.

Rarity value in coins is in context to their market demand. If everyone in America became interested in silver coins, there wouldn't be enough of any one coin to go around. For example, the 1921 Morgan was produced in huge numbers. Close to 87 million, in fact. That's only around one 1921 silver dollar for every household.

Many modern collector coin issues are minted in relatively low numbers, but does that make them good investments? I consider many modern "rare" coins to be like jewelry. They have their intrinsic value in their precious metal content, but when you sell the coin, you might not get back the premium you paid for it.

The most risky modern "rare" coins I think are the ones hyped up in promotional material or catalogs. They often have a story about their conception or design.

Low mintage numbers may be given to indicate rarity, but more often than not, a conditional rarity is created because of numbers receiving a certain grade by a third party grading company.

PCGS and NGC seem to be willing participants in grading modern common coins to give them a conditional rarity and legitimacy for the seller. The seller then asks four to ten times their worth to see if the market will buy the hype.

If you buy coins like these at the advertised prices, you might have to wait for a long time to sell them at a profit. Chances are you won't have the promotional resources to package the coin so you educate/convince someone to buy your coin at a really inflated price.

Modern commemorative silver or gold coins are risky to buy at inflated prices. The commemorative market tends to forget the original reason for the coin being special, and often won't pay for that specialness in the future.

Modern silver and gold coins don't have the track record of the old established collector coins, which makes them somewhat risky as an investment. There are modern rare coins that appreciate in value fairly quickly, but I consider ten years to be a minimum track record for an investment coin.

However, if you have your hand on the pulse of future trends and can predict them with some accuracy, be contrarian. Buy the trend-maker coin and profit from it. Otherwise, simply buy the modern rare coin because you love it, and not concern yourself with future performance, because you don't plan to sell it.

I prefer American Eagle silver and gold coins directly from the mint. They have an established track record. The baseball coins may be a flash-in-the-pan coin. The promotional material of course says they'll sell for multiples of their issue price. They might... Then they might not. I won't take the chance.

Few modern commemoratives have become modern rarities. The 2001 Buffalo silver dollar, I think is one exception. It sold out quickly and now sells for multiples of its original mint price. The 2011 25th anniversary silver eagle set looks like another hit for those lucky enough to have gotten their order in early on the day of sale.

When there's frenzy over a newly released coin, and they actually do get multiples of their original issue price, you need to be on either side of the frenzy, not in the middle of it. Either be the first one to buy some ahead of the crowd, or patiently wait out the frenzy to see where the dust settles.

To discover more about coins: collecting issues, money management, investing in the rare and bullion coin market, and much more, I invite you to visit http://www.heritagecoingallery.com for videos and free tips on buying coins at the best prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8663528

"The desire for gold is the most universal and deeply rooted commercial instinct of the human race." - Gerald M. Loeb.

Besides commercial value, traditionally we (Indians) like to buy and hold the investments in Gold. In this post, let us try to understand the historical investment returns from gold and is it the safest or risk free investment among all the financial assets we have?

Gold prices and returns in rupee terms in the last 30 years:

The average returns from 1985 to 2001 are roughly 6% on a compounding basis. If we calculate the inflation adjusted returns then the real rate of return would be far less or at least equal to inflation. From 1997 to 2001 the prices were almost stagnant.

The average returns from 2001 to 2008 is roughly is roughly 10% (CAGR). In 2001, the September 11 attacks caused global stock markets to drop sharply. The attacks themselves caused approximately $40 billion in insurance losses, making it one of the largest insured events ever.

In 2008, we have seen bear phase in financial markets due to bankruptcy of major Financial Banks in USA and Europe. The average returns from 2008 to till date is roughly 18%. Amazing returns indeed, the demand for gold has increased during this duration because investors or economies preferred to stock gold over other financial products.

So, can we safely assume that Gold prices will rise forever or continuously? May be or may not be. Gold prices increased when people lost trust in paper currency, this has been proved in the past. At the same time, when dust settles down, investors prefer other Financial products over Gold.

"As fewer and fewer people have confidence in paper (currency) as a store of value, the price of gold will continue to rise." - Jerome F. Smith

In 2013-2014 the performance of Gold is not great. From the Rs.31, 000 levels per 10gms, prices fell to Rs25, 000. The price fall was still restricted if we compare to international Gold prices. Domestic gold prices are still at elevated levels mainly due to the rupee depreciation and the import duty.

Volatility in price movement:

Two decades back Gold prices used to rise steadily and the volatility in price movement used to be minimal. Now, the price movement is influenced by many factors like but not limited to Foreign Exchange rates, Demand for Dollars, Crude oil prices, Country specific economic factors, Equity markets performance etc. Gold is now both a commodity and currency accepted across nations, financial institutions, stockists, investors etc.

To sum it up, Gold may not be the safest bet anymore especially if you are expecting quick short-term gains. But if your time horizon is more than 5 years or so then returns may beat inflation. In fact, the periods of extreme volatility could be used to bring the average cost down.In my view, Gold should be part of your portfolio, but not more than 10%. It is advisable to buy gold in a staggered manner rather than investing lump-sum. Gold ETFs are the best mode of investment.

Now that there is a fear of brewing crisis in Middle East. Are we going to witness another bear phase? (Let's hope not).

Please participate in the below poll and give your opinion:

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8654375

I've counted 13 scales proposed for defining rarity in coins. Only a few are well accepted and none are as universally accepted as the Sheldon scale for grading coins. Perhaps the most common rarity scale is also an adaptation of Sheldon's scale.

Some rarity scales are merely descriptive of their actual rarity, while others base their judgment on numbers. I think using numbers is a much more accurate than only attempting to describe them verbally.

Sheldon's rarity scale has both a verbal description and numerical description associated with it, similar to his state-of-preservation grading scale. This is really helpful in understanding rarity.

I haven't found a consensus regarding any of the rarity scales, so I've chosen this version of Sheldon's Rarity Scale, because it uses quantities and descriptions that seem reasonable to me. That leaves both the numbers and descriptions open to debate.

Sheldon Rarity Scale

R1: Over 2000 estimated: Very Common, readily available

R2: 601-2000 estimated: Common, not too difficult to find

R3: 201-600 estimated: Less Common, available at most shows, but in limited quantity

R4: 76-200 estimated: Scarce, somewhat difficult to find, only a few likely at larger shows

R5: 31-75 estimated: Very Scarce, may or may not find at larger shows or auctions

R6: 13-30 estimated: Rare, unlikely to be more than 5 for sale anywhere in a year

R7: 4-12 estimated: Very Rare, almost never seen, only one may be offered for sale in a year

R8: 2-3 estimated: Prohibitively Rare, one may be offered for sale once every 5 to 10 years

R9: 1 estimated: Unique, or nearly so

As you can see, this scale refers to count estimations. It's impossible to know an exact number. At any time, another coin could surface or disappear and change the figure.

Another useful scale was developed by Q. David Bowers. He calls it the Universal Rarity Scale or URS for short. I think this scale goes beyond simply stating rarity, to measuring the commonness of a coin. This can also be useful.

Universal Rarity Scale

Rarity

Number of known coins

URS 0:

None known

URS 1:

1

URS 2:

2

URS 3:

3 or 4

URS 4:

5 to 8

URS 5:

9 to 16

URS 6:

17 to 32

URS 7:

33 to 64

URS 8:

65 to 125

URS 9:

126 to 250

URS 10:

251 to 500

URS 11:

501 to 1,000

URS 12:

1,001 to 2,000

URS 13:

2,001 to 4,000

URS 14:

4,001 to 8,000

URS 15:

8,001 to 16,000

URS 16:

16,001 to 32,000

URS 17:

32,001 to 65,000

URS 18:

65,001 to 125,000

URS 19:

125,001 to 250,000

URS 20:

250,001 to 500,000

C. Scholten developed a scale for rarity in 1953 that I think is less useful than the two above. The Scholten scale depicts the following degrees of rarity, but I can't find any definition for the descriptions he uses.

Scholten Rarity Scale

Rarity

Number of known coins

C

Common

N

Normal

S

Scarce

R

Rare

RR

Very Rare

RRR

Extremely Rare

RRRR

Of the utmost rarity

So the next time you're discussing "rare coins", with another coin expert ask if it's "R7 or R8 rare" or are we talking R9? If he doesn't know what you're talking about, he probably doesn't know what he's talking about either. Most rare coin experts are familiar with Sheldon's Rarity Scale.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8674379

A mint state/uncirculated coin will NEVER need cleaning. Don't even consider cleaning it for any reason. Circulated coins don't have the value of their uncirculated counterparts and can sometimes be improved with a light touch up.

A well circulated coin needs to look well circulated, so leave it alone. That leaves the AU grade range of silver coins most vulnerable to being improved by cleaning. If you must clean the coin, do it properly!

Otherwise take it to a dealer and ask for their advice. The dealer will probably tell you to leave it alone, since improper cleaning will substantially decrease its value and sale ability. The more expensive the coin, the more disastrous improper cleaning will be for its value.

Remember, you cannot unclean an improperly cleaned coin.

Any coin whose surface doesn't look quite right will be labeled "cleaned" by coin graders. Their surfaces will look flat, have small scratches or hairlines in it, or some other sign of tampering. Among the most common reasons for a coin to receive a Details Grading is unskilled and improper cleaning.

Improperly cleaned is a generic term used by coin graders to describe unskilled cleaning when the exact nature of the action is uncertain. Improper is the operative word here. Improper cleaning is applying an abrasive such as a scouring pad, Scotch Brite pad, cleanser, polishing compound, etc. to the coin's surface.

The term "improperly cleaned" used by the grading services suggests there are proper ways to clean a coin. Light, nondestructive cleaning, particularly when found on older coins, may still permit numeric grading of the rare American coin.

There are a couple of nondestructive methods of cleaning silver coins. I'll gently wipe business strike circulated coins with rubbing alcohol and cotton pad to remove surface grime and finger prints. This makes the coin look more presentable without removing toning or doing surface damage.

Washing the coin in dish detergent also constitutes proper cleaning. Let the coin soak in dish detergent mixed 50/50 with water for ten minutes, then swish it around in the detergent water before holding it under the running rinse water, and finally blotting it dry with a terrycloth towel.

For very specific kinds of problems, there is a professional coin dipping solution called EZ-est, which removes surface contaminants quickly without apparently damaging the surfaces. This to me is a great product for enhancing the eye appeal of a coin without changing mint luster or any important characteristics.

I rarely dip silver coins. Dipping solutions only work for a limited number of very specific situations. It is not a panacea for problem coins.

I only dip a coin after carefully considering whether the coin will be substantially improved by its use. For example, if the coin has tarnished to a dark brown or black I'll consider dipping it briefly. I don't want to completely remove the toning, just enough so the features can be seen again.

I use a small sieve with the coin always visible. I'll swish the coin just under the solution surface, so I can constantly monitor the coin surface change. Then I remove the coin just before it's where I would like it. I immediately dunk the sieve into a container of water to stop the chemical action.

Only a few seconds in the solution will do what I need it for. I have noticed a glitter floating in my container of coin dip and realize the glitter is microscopic pieces of coin removed by the solution. Repeated dipping or leaving the coin in too long will constitute improper cleaning of the rare American coin.

The directions on the container say coin surface damage may result, if the coin remains in the solution for longer than 15 seconds. I strongly recommend adhering to that time limit. If the problem isn't solved in that timeframe, it probably won't be solved by the dipping solution anyway.

Learn what coin surfaces should look like in their natural state. It will help you appreciate what you have and not be tempted to alter it. If the coin has problems to begin with, DON'T BUY IT!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8686113

Since beginning of time, wealth has been known to earn someone respect and a high place in the society and therefore it's no wonder that being wealthy is the ultimate goal of many.

People can get wealth from inheritance but most people have to work hard for it. Generation of wealth is different for each person as some people seem lucky and make money quickly while others have to toil for a very long time.

One way of creating wealth that the world has embraced today is investing especially in things whose value are likely to never depreciate e.g. real estate, gemstones, golden eagle coins and stamps amongst other things.

Here are the reasons as why to why I love gold coins and stamps:

1. The golden eagle coins are among the most popular form of investment in the world as they are guaranteed by the American government and they can be traded freely. The coins have a face value of $50 and their design is very specific to allow consistency and prevent conflicts.

Golden eagle coins have 22 karats of gold that must come from America only as stipulated in the law. Gold is 91.67% while the rest of the percentage is of copper and silver alloy. This is done to ensure the coins are hard wearing. The stamps usually have a lower value than the coins as they are very thin although the same percentage of metals is observed. There are also replicas of the stamps but their value is way lower of course

2. The value of the golden eagle coins and stamps is determined by many factors which include their weight. The coins come in dominations of 1/10, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 oz. market changes also affect the price of golden eagle coins and stamps and this is why investors should be watchful of market fluctuations to avoid losses. Economic policies formulated by the government also shake up the price of the gold so a wise investor is one who knows of the different ways of protecting their investment.

3. Liquidity is one of the most important aspects of a good investment and golden eagle coins and stamps offer this. The coins are accepted in major investment markets all over the globe and monitoring the value on all parts of the world has been made easier by the many websites which trade in them and offer by the hour updates of prices. The prices are also published in newspapers daily.

4. Golden eagle coins and stamps helps in diversifying one's investment portfolio and are also a good way of protecting one's wealth from economic policies that are reactionary which are usually created by the government in a bid to transfer wealth from individual to itself. The effects are usually short lived but they affect other kinds of investments more than gold.

That said research is mandatory when you chose to invest in golden eagle coins and stamps as gives you the history of prices (remember history and trends are cyclic) and also helps you compare the different prices before trading. This enables you to safeguard your investment against market changes like inflation, deflation and government policies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8685714

Ready to sell your old treasures? You have unwanted jewelry and gold buyers have cash. They will offer you top dollar for your old jewelry. Sometimes these businesses will buy more than just your jewelry. If you have collectibles, you may be able to sell them at the same time. Here are some tips to keep in mind when selling your golden treasures.

Know what your items are worth. Check the current market price before you get an estimate so that you have an idea of what your golden treasures are worth. The price of metal fluctuates every day. Keep in mind that prices are the highest they've been in years, so now is a good time to sell.

Some companies offer a mail-in service for the jewelry and watches people want to sell. If you mail your unwanted jewelry, you risk losing it completely and you might not get a fair price. Local buyers offer higher prices than their mail-in program competitors. According to Consumer Reports, cash-for-gold companies paid between 11 and 29 percent of the market price for gold.

A gold party is similar to a Tupperware party in that a small group of people gathers at the host's house to sell their jewelry to a buyer. You can socialize with your friends and enjoy a few glasses of wine at the party, but don't expect top dollar. If you sell your golden treasures at a party, it will not be valued fairly. Additionally, the party's host will probably get a 10 percent commission.

Find a reputable purchaser in your area. Check out the company website. Is there a physical address? Ask to see their credentials. After you find a local dealer, bring your golden treasures in to get an offer. Watch the buyer weigh your jewelry and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Bring your driver's license or another federal or state-issued identification. All buyers are required by law to ask sellers for identification in case the police show up with questions about the sale of stolen property.

Take your collectibles, brooches, pins, coins, bars, bullion, jewelry, golden teeth, and crowns to a local buyer and ask them to estimate their value. Gold buyers are looking for anything that has gold in it. They are in business to give free estimates. Expect to get at least 50 percent of the value of your golden treasures. Of course, if your jewelry is extravagant and beautiful, they may be willing to offer more than the melt value.

Now it's time to trade your unwanted jewelry for some cold, hard cash. Visit reputable gold buyers for appraisals. Those golden treasures gathering dust in your jewelry box are worth a lot more money now than they were a few months ago.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8692176

With the current economic climate being so difficult to navigate, it is not surprising that so many people are looking for alternative investment opportunities. However, the problem is that so many investment options are too heavily based in paper currency, which means that they will always be subject to inflation and instability.

Stock Exchange
The stock exchange is one of the most difficult fields to invest and to trade stocks consistently profitable you need a few years of experience. Even professional analysts have trouble with correct expectations, and if you are new to the investment process in general, I can only tell you that I have never been a huge fan of them.

However, in such difficult times, it would make sense that investments should be made in assets that remain relatively untouched by the economic climate. Like Gold, as it is one of the best hedges against inflation and financial risk available. The Swiss Gold bar, in particular, can be a good investment to make for investors who are just beginning to navigate potential investment opportunity.

Swiss Gold Bar
When you buy the Swiss Gold bar, you get exactly what you pay for, which means you will only have to worry about transaction fees when you invest directly into physical bullion. You will have all of the assets to own under your name, with a storage certificate that you can rely on whenever you want to make the withdrawal. An immediate advantage that comes with the chance to buy Swiss Gold bar is the fact that you will have complete and total ownership of it. You will never have to worry about partial ownerships, and you can check on your investment at any time.

To begin with, gold bars are divided into two main types, which are cast and minted. Cast varieties are produced by a manufacturer after liquid gold is poured into the appropriate mould and then polished until it can be purchased in its ready form. The minted variety is made by cutting gold blanks from large sheets of solid gold. There are two primary types of Swiss Gold bars that can be purchased as well.

The Credit Suisse is one of them, and they are a popular type to purchase because they can be easily carried and stored for travel. They are fully backed by the Suisse bank in Switzerland, which gives them immediate value anywhere in the world. The second type of gold bar is known as the Gold Dream PAMP, which are accepted by traders and dealers all over the world. These bars are excellent beginning purchases because they are all sealed and accredited, while being easy to transport and keep with you for all travelling purposes. They can be an excellent way to begin investing in gold, as even the smallest starting amount holds powerful value.

Reminder
But do not forget, before purchasing any gold investments, it is important to understand what gold bars are and how they work. Becoming familiar with their potential will ensure that you make the most of your investments without feeling stressed or inclined to sell or buy in any direction. And buy them always from official dealers. Yes, you can also buy them on eBay, but then all the risks are for you.

I am as always, bullish on Gold because it has proven its worth during the last 3000 years, in which great empires, kingdoms and great brands came and went but Gold and its value is still with us today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8615625

If you are reading this article then it means that you are probably interested in investing in gold. In my previous article on investing in gold I reminded my readers to buy the from the official dealers. In this article I will explain how to buy gold, gold bars and gold coins from the Australian Perth Mint, which is not only a seller of gold but in the first place the producer, the source.

Perth Mint
Back in 1899, Britain's Royal Mint supplied sovereigns and half sovereigns to the British Empire. Over time, branches were established throughout the empire and the renowned Perth Mint Australia was one of those branches. Utilizing and refining gold from the mines of Western Australia, the mint has produced gold in the form of everything from fine jewelry and commemorative items that celebrate the rich history and culture of Australia to bullion coins and bars of the highest purity.

More than 70 years later, in 1970, the Western Australian government became involved in the proceedings of the mint and the bullion coin program began in 1987 with the beginning of the Gold Corporation Act. As the demand for quality bullion products grew, a new refinery was constructed to answer that demand. To this day, the finest coins and bars are the most known products of the mint.

Today
Today, in addition to providing a boost for the local economy, The Gold Corporation is dedicated to providing service, security and a superior product to individuals like you and me, who would like to buy gold as an investment for their future. As part of the tourist industry, the mint provides employment opportunities and a rich legacy, illustrating the fascinating past of the country. In addition, the minted products are recognized as legal tender around the world, and the facilities provide top notch security for those who wish to store their investments in safety.

You can purchase bullion coins and bars that range in weight from 1.5 gr to 31 gr with a pledge of purity backed by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. What's more, collectors like you can benefit from coins that have been minted in limited quantities with a value acknowledged around the world, creating a wise, safe, and attractive investment. The Perth Mint issues a tremendous range of sizes, weights, and designs of gold coins and gold bars. You can easily invest in either option, but many investors gravitate toward the coins. As they are recognized as legal tender, they are not subject to the taxation that often accompanies the bars.

Quality of Gold
The purity of gold is often expressed in carats, but when discussing bullion, it is expressed in percent. The price of gold is related to its purity. After being subjected to a series of processes, the gold produced by the mint is deemed 99.9%, and even 99.99%, pure. This gold is of the highest quality.

Although the prices of precious metals are in a constant state of flux, the mint makes every effort to provide a current and accurate account of the value of their products. For example, the latest figures indicate that the price of gold ranges from over $100.00 for a 1/20 ounce coin to almost $71,000.00 for a 50 ounce bar. Of course, other prices are available for larger weights.

After you have researched the price of gold, gold bars, and gold coins, you can make your purchase. For an individual who provides certified identification, you can buy gold in person, via the telephone, or online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8615628