Collectors Guide
Practical advice for coin collectors: how to choose a silver or gold coin, how Proof and BU finishes differ, what mintage and NGC grading mean, how to check if a coin is silver and how to store it.
Pieces of Eight: The Spanish Silver Coin Pirates Wanted
Pieces of eight were Spanish silver coins worth eight reales, struck in Spain's American mints from the 1500s to the 1800s.…
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Coins Wanted by Collectors: 20 Most Sought-After Coins
The coins wanted by collectors are usually the ones that almost nobody can get: a 1794 silver dollar with 1,758 struck, a…
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What Is a Numismatist? Numismatic Definition and Meaning
A numismatist is a person who studies coins, banknotes, tokens and medals, and usually collects them too. The word looks…
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Ancient Greek Coins: History, Famous Coins and Value
Greek coins were among the first coins the Western world ever used, and some of the finest ever made. A silver owl from…
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What Is a Proof Coin? Finishes, Grades and How to Spot One
Hand a proof coin to someone who doesn't collect, and the first thing they do is press a thumb right onto the mirror. Hand…
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Silver Christmas Coins 2026: Holiday Designs Worth Giving
Silver Christmas coins are one of the few gifts that look better every year: socks wear out, sweaters get returned, but a…
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Gifts for Coin Collectors: Holiday Guide to Coins They'll Keep
Finding gifts for coin collectors is harder than it looks. They already own a loupe, an album and strong opinions about…
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Gold-Silver Ratio – What It Is and What It Says About Silver
The gold-silver ratio tells you how many ounces of silver it takes to buy one ounce of gold . It is one of the simplest and…
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Obverse and Reverse – Which Side of a Coin Is the Front?
The obverse is the front of a coin and the reverse is the back. That is the crossword answer – but a collector needs to know…
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How to Clean Silver Coins Without Damaging Their Value
You've found a dark silver coin in a drawer and want to know how to clean silver coins without ruining them. The honest…
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Gold and Silver Fineness – 999, 925 and 585 Explained
A ring says “585”, a chain says “925” and a coin says “999”. These numbers are the fineness : how much pure metal the alloy…
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1 oz Gold Coin – Weight, Price and Which to Choose
The 1 oz gold coin is the most popular gold coin format in the world – among investors and collectors alike. Here is exactly…
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Gold Collector and Bullion Coins – How to Choose?
Gold coins attract with lasting value and a shine that does not fade for centuries. Before you buy your first one, it is…
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How to Check if a Coin Is Silver? 5 Home Tests
Did you buy a second-hand silver coin, inherit one, or simply want to be sure it is real silver? Fake silver coins exist –…
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A Silver Coin as a Gift – Christening, Communion, Wedding and More
Looking for a gift that won't end up in a drawer or lose its value after a year? A silver collector coin combines a lasting…
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Niue, Tuvalu and Cook Islands Coins – Are They Real Money?
Browse silver collector coins and you will quickly notice that many of them come from countries few people have heard of:…
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Collector Coin Mints – Mint of Poland, Royal Krakow Mint and More
A silver coin from Niue or Cameroon bears the name of a country, but several companies usually stand behind it: the issuer,…
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How to Store Silver Coins? Capsules, Spots and Toning
Silver is a precious metal, but it is not immune to its environment. Improperly stored coins can tarnish, develop spots or…
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NGC Grading – What Do MS70 and PF70 Mean? Are Slabbed Coins Worth It?
At auctions and in coin shops you will increasingly see coins sealed in plastic holders with an NGC label and a grade such…
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Enhanced Coins – Gilding, Colouring, High Relief and Other Techniques
Modern collectible coins are often true miniature works of art. Gilding, colour printing, deep relief, crystals or…
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Proof, BU, Antique Finish – How Do Coin Finishes Differ?
In coin descriptions you will often see abbreviations and terms such as Proof, BU, Antique Finish or Prooflike . To a…
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Silver Coin or Silver Bar – Which Should You Choose?
Planning to buy silver and wondering whether a silver coin or a silver bar is the better choice? It is one of the most…
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Are Silver Coins Worth Buying? Collectible or Investment Coins?
Silver coins have been popular for many years among both collectors and people who want to hold part of their wealth in…
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Coin Collecting for Beginners: How to Start a Coin Collection
Coin collecting for beginners starts with one decision: what you want to collect. Without it, new collectors buy whatever…
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What Is Mintage? Meaning, Figures and Why It Matters
Mintage is the number of coins a mint strikes of one design, in one year or one production run. It's the first number…
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Troy Ounce – How Many Grams? 1 oz is 31.1 g
1 troy ounce (1 oz) is 31.1035 g. Gold and silver are weighed in this unit all over the world, collectible coins and bars…
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Collectible Coin – What Is It and How Does It Differ from a Bullion Coin?
Collectible coins and bullion coins are two of the most popular ways to own precious metals. Although they may look similar…
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