how can we collectors NOT get shafted when buying coins?

tahoe98 · November 20, 2009 12:20AM

.....i know it's important to be educated before buying coins. but is there a book or web site that would help a

collector guard against buying a counterfeit coin? for example, let's say you were at a coin shop or a show or

on the web looking at coins. you see something that you are interested in and it is a coin that has known to be

counterfeited from time to time. it may or may not be in a top tier slab or it may be raw. is there a list with markers

to look for or a book listing what tpg graders guide on? are there any graders (former or current) out there with some

quick tips or recommended sites?

what say you?

dan383 · November 20, 2009 12:25AM

While something like that would be nice , it is not the end all .

Education is the best tool one can have .

The ability to know that you don't always get what you pay for .

A deal too good to believe ..............

Just remember that when seeking that Big Score , don't let yourself become it.....

Dan

notwilight · November 20, 2009 12:26AM

Shafting is the exception, rather than the rule. Coins are no different than anything else. How do you avoid being shafted when buying a car? --Jerry

kahokia · November 20, 2009 12:26AM

There's the book on detecting counterfeits by Fivaz (sp?) and others; there's also a little pocket-sized booklet for detecting the more prominent counterfeits. It's less than 10 bucks, and by Fivaz as well.

Gemineye · November 20, 2009 1:07AM

<< <i>How do you avoid being shafted when buying a car? --Jerry
>>

Make sure the car you purchase has a set of tires...!!!!....

RYK · November 20, 2009 1:14AM

Everyone says "buy the book", but there is no book that will arm you with the knowlwedge and experience to detect doctored coins. Making mistakes and having someone with greater knowledge and experience show you are the only real tools that you have (other than the CAC

).

rld14 · November 20, 2009 1:28AM

Education, experience, handling a lot of coins, going to shows and looking at coins, seeing them in person, learning what they should look like, etc.

And experts get fooled too, someone mentioned cars... I'm a used car manager at a big Toyota store, bee in the biz almost 15 years and I make mistakes all the time too

Billet7 · November 20, 2009 1:55AM

That's a good idea for a book. HUH.

derryb · November 20, 2009 2:25AM

Sometimes its best to pay the extra premium for reputable third party grader certification.

coinbuf · November 20, 2009 2:30AM

The "Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection" by PCGS is helpfull for the major counterfeited coins.

Quarternut · November 20, 2009 2:30AM

<< <i>Sometimes its best to pay the extra premium for reputable third party grader certification. >>

This will not guarantee that you will not get the shaft...it is only a crutch, knowledge is the only weapon against being shafted!

QN

derryb · November 20, 2009 2:35AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Sometimes its best to pay the extra premium for reputable third party grader certification. >>

This will not guarantee that you will not get the shaft...it is only a crutch, knowledge is the only weapon against being shafted!

QN >>

Reputable third party graders guarantee their certification. Their knowledge is greater than mine when it comes to counterfeits. When you have a broken leg a crutch is a good thing.

lcoopie · November 20, 2009 2:39AM

IMO

the answer is no

that's why I would prefer to buy from an expert.

ocon4008 · November 20, 2009 2:41AM

Easy, don't buy coins; collect insects they are free.

ElKevvo · November 20, 2009 3:44AM

I sometimes wonder if ignorance is best. When I was 16 I bought a 1916-D Merc with my paper route money from a guy at the local flea market from whom I bought quite a few things. It was my best coin for many years and I treasured it...well I think you can guess how that turned out! Once I learned a bit more about things (darned serifs!) I was sort of heart broken...

K

GritsMan · November 20, 2009 3:50AM

This question is why many of us stick mostly to buying directly from the Mint. We may get shafted, but at least we know by whom!

HKstrongside · November 20, 2009 4:11AM

I just ordered "Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection", thanks for the suggestion!

Stuart · November 20, 2009 4:16AM

<< This question is why many of us stick mostly to buying directly from the Mint. We may get shafted, but at least we know by whom! >>

GritsMan: That's a great post!!

how can we collectors NOT get shafted when buying coins?

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