Baby Boomer Pocket Change

They Were Not Gold! But Gold Plated

If you read the post made yesterday about my gold buying adventure you know that the fool mentioned is me. Well, today I found out that the little tiny coins weighed a little over 1 penny weight but failed the test for real gold. I was told it was probably gold plated.

Now, I was hoping for at least $8.00 to cover my investment. But it just did not happen. What did happen was a wonderful education and I will hold those coins to share my story. And yes, I will still use Ebay to buy and sell online but with much more wisdom.

I also decided to start a series called “Cool Coin Tips”. This will be recordings by coin experts on buying, selling and collecting coins. The series should start next week.

Would you like that?

Tags: coin tips, coin tips by experts, coin tips recording

Coin Grading-Introduction

I just read this post on coin grading and thought that it explained the basics of the process in a very simple way. So, enjoy this post on the Basics of Coin Grading.

Now remember I said this was an introduction. I have purchased a book that gives you the pictures of coins and possible grades. It is taking me to the next level. It is also fun to learn about the coins this way. So check out the book belowand read the post above.

Tags: coin grading

I Brought A John Tyler Presidential Dollar Coin Roll

I just got a roll of the Presidential John Tyler Dollar Coin.  The coin was was designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

A total of 87,080,000 John Tyler Presidential Dollars  were produced by the United States Mint. This amount was divided equally between the Philadelphia and Denver facilities. This is a very low mintage. I am finding out that when there is a lower mintage it can mean increased value in the future for collectors.

I plan to share some of them in a workshop as a bonus prize. Here is an article about this really nice coin which is 10th in the Presidential series.

Now, I confess, I am looking for errors. Most of the errors are being reported on the edges where there is lettering. Allow me to explain. The Presidential coins have writing on the edge. When some of the writing is missing or there are spacing differences or NO WRITING at all they are considered coin errors.

For example, on some of the coins the motto “In God We Trust, the date and the words “E Pluribus Unum should appear. A small number of the Washington Presidential coins are missing the writing. In some cases, some coins are missing other words.

I have found a great site that focuses on Presidential coins. They have a category for Presidential coin errors.

I think I just might open my roll. Don’t yell at me you seasoned collectors out there. I am discovering that I am half collector and half error coin adventurer.

Tags: coin errors, john tyler, Presidential Dollars

Error Coins-An Online Magazine That Shows Great Examples

I found an online magazine that shows you pictures of certificed error coins. Now, this is great because, as a novice, I am still trying to identify what true error coins look like. So enjoy this issue of Mint Error News.

WARNING, this issue is over 200 pages so grab some green tea or coffee and take your time.

Tags: Error Coins