|
How can I learn
the value of my coin collection?
Every collection is
unique and its value will be based on a
number of factors, including the type, date, mintage and condition of
each
piece—even seemingly small characteristics or factors may significantly
affect
value. For this reason, one of our professional
numismatists must SEE the collection in order to provide an accurate
appraisal. You may obtain a
general idea of a coin’s potential value,
as well as learning its mintage and some historical detail, by
referring to The
Official Red Book, a Whitman publication. This reference source,
updated annually, can typically be
found in local libraries; you may also purchase it on NFC’s on-line
Store.
Does NFC buy coins?
Yes,
NFC does buy coins. Whether you're looking to sell a single item
or a full collection, we'd like to hear from you. Please call or
email us, using the contact information at the top of the page.
How
do I know if I
have semi-rare or rare date coin/currency?
We recommend Whitman’s
“Official Red Book” as a reference
for information regarding U.S. Coins. For
information about currency, we find The
Coin & Currency Institute’s “Paper Money of the U.S.” to be most helpful.
Or, of course, you can email or call us
(contact information appears at the top of each of our website pages) -
we’ll be happy to provide the information.
Should
I clean my
coin?
We don't recommend
cleaning coins. Even the gentlest attempt to clean a coin
will
likely damage the surface and/or change the color of the metal, most
often seriously
affecting its value. Although the damage or change
may not seem apparent,
a trained numismatist or knowledgeable collector will be able detect
the
cleaning.
Where
can I get my
coins and/or currency certified? There are several
grading services where you can have your
coins/currency certified. NFC is an authorized dealer with all of the
major grading
companies and you can have your coins/currency certified through us. We
will
help you screen your coins/currency and select the appropriate
submission
tiers, package your coins/currency for safe shipment, and assist in
determining
insurance values so that they're protected against loss in shipping.
Alternatively, you can choose to pay for a
membership with one of the grading services which allows you to send
your
coins/currency directly to them for certification.
Why
should I have
my coin/currency certified? In some cases, the
grading fees involved will make
certification an impractical choice.
However, as long as the value of your coin supports it, there can be
several benefits to a third-party certification. In addition
to confirming the authenticity of
the piece, a professional numismatist will be able to accurately
determine its
grade or condition using recognized industry standards.
Though some grading inconsistencies are
unavoidable, since personal judgment is still a factor, experienced
coin
collectors will have greater confidence in the professionally certified
grade—most
often giving your coin or currency greater value.
How should I store
my coin? There
are a number of different types of books and
holders that will serve well for coin storage- look for some of the
better
types offering greater protection against surface discoloration. Avoid types of holders
using staples, which
can easily scratch your coins. Currency
should always be stored flat in acid-free or archival-type holders. Finally, be sure to store
your collection in
a dry environment
What is CAC? CAC is an independent authentication service, not affiliated
with any of the grading services; they use their own grading standards to
identify and confirm the premium quality of a graded coin. For more info, please visit their website at
CACcoin.com.
|