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What To Look For

There are four questions you should answer when determining whether to add a coin to your collection:

    Does the coin have eye appeal?
    What appeals to any individual collector is always subjective.  If the coin doesn't appeal to you, don't buy it.
    How is the original luster?
    There is no way to restore a coin's luster - the characteristic flashy sheen of a new coin - once it's gone.
    Is there any damage?
    Scratches, bag marks, staple marks, corrosion and other damage will decrease a coin's value.
    How much wear is there?
    According to experts, wear tends to be the single biggest factor that determines the grade given to a coin.
Glossary  |  Why Collect  |  Collecting Approaches  |  Getting Started  |  Anatomy of a Coin  |  Buy or Find
Collecting Coins  |  Caring for Coins  |  Storing and Displaying  |  What to Look_For  |  Grading  |  Mint Marks
Kids Site - Library  |  Kids Site - Sharing Your Hobby
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