MINUTEMAN
RARE COIN
(339) 222-4571
CERTIFIED U.S. GOLD & SILVER RARE COINS
How are United States rare gold and silver coins authenticated, graded, and certified?
The answer lies in the three leading independent Third Party Grading Services (TPGS) that the U.S. rare coin industry depends on to verify authenticity, assign grades, certify, and document the population of these coins.
The Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) are impartial third-party grading services that guarantee 100% authentication and certification of the condition and quality of all U.S. gold and silver rare coins they assess.
Experts from CAC, PCGS, and NGC evaluate each coin collectively without preconceived notions about its market value. The identity of the individual or company submitting a coin for authentication, certification, and grading remains confidential, and each coin undergoes a thorough examination.
In cases where graders disagree on the authenticity, condition, quality, or grade, a "finalizer" is called in to determine the coin's final grade.
At Minuteman Rare Coin Company, we exclusively acquire, recommend, and offer United States gold and silver rare coins authenticated, certified, and fully guaranteed by one of the three leading grading services for our clients' collections.
We invite you to explore our webpage, which is dedicated to collecting and investing in rare United States gold and silver coins.
You will gain valuable insights on how to effectively collect and invest in genuine, certified American rarities, allowing you to build a historically significant, valuable, and rewarding collection of U.S. rare gold and silver coins that suits your interests and fits your budget!
WHAT DETERMINES A COINS GRADE, CONDITION & VALUE?
The four key factors that determine a rare coin's grade, condition, and value are:
1.) Surface Preservation
2.) Strike
3.) Luster
4.) Eye Appeal
Once a coin satisfies these criteria and its authenticity and condition are verified, it receives a numerical grade ranging from 1 to 70 according to the Sheldon rare coin grading scale.
The coin's value is then assessed based on this numerical grade, which serves as a starting point; various elements like "eye appeal," toning, and a CAC-approved green sticker can enhance its value.
Each coin is placed in a plastic holder and sonically sealed, with interior labels ensuring airtight closure.
These labels indicate the coin's minting year, denomination, mint of origin, numerical grade (e.g., MS-65), and assigned serial number.
This process is called "slabbing," a term for any holder utilized by a Third-Party Grading Service after they have professionally authenticated, graded, and certified a coin.
Once a coin receives a numerical grade, it is documented in a population or census report. These reports serve as essential resources for collectors, investors, and the rare coin industry, offering insights into the quantity of coins within specific grades and conditions.
Before 1986, when Third Party Grading (TPGS) came into existence (PCGS), collectors and investors without trained eye expertise struggled to accurately assess a coin's grade, condition, and value, which often varied significantly among sellers.
Third-party grading services like PCGS and NGC resolved many challenges faced by untrained collectors and investors before 1986.
For instance, before 1986, if you couldn't differentiate between an Uncirculated Mint State-63 and an Uncirculated Mint State-65, you relied entirely on the seller to determine the coin's grade, condition, and value.
(Even a slight one-point difference in a coin's grade could translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars in value.)
With so much depending on sellers' opinions, it was challenging for novice investors and collectors to justify purchasing coins of substantial value.
At Minuteman Rare Coin, we guarantee that our clients will own 100% genuine, authentic, and certified rare gold and silver coins.
CERTIFIED ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION (CAC)
CAC was established in 2007 to evaluate coins authenticated, graded, certified, and encapsulated by PCGS and NGC. Initially, they did not offer grading and encapsulation services.
Today, they provide grading services, but in the past, when they assessed a certified and encapsulated coin and found it to be in the top 10 to 15% of its grade, it was awarded a green sticker, often boosting its value by up to 30%. Coins deemed under-graded received a gold sticker, which could enhance a coin's value by as much as 90%.
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CAC awarded green stickers solely to coins that met strict quality criteria and were deemed "solid" for their grade.
The coins with CAC green stickers represent a small fraction of the rare coin market but hold considerable importance in the industry.
At Minuteman Rare Coin, we regularly acquire and support CAC-approved coins. In the future, we will also recommend and provide CACG (graded) coins when available.
THE SHELDON RARE COIN GRADING SCALE
In 1949, Dr. William Sheldon pioneered consistent definitions for coin grading. He created a grading scale to classify coins based on their condition, which ranges from 1 to 70.
Essentially, a coin's value increases according to its preservation level. Uncirculated Mint State coins at the higher end of the scale receive a grade between 60 and 70.
MS Mint State 60-70
AU About Uncirculated 50-59
XF Extremely Fine 40-49
VF Very Fine 20-39
F Fine 12-19
VG Very Good 8-11
G Good 4-7
AG About Good 3
F Fair 2
P Poor 1
Mint State Terminology
Uncirculated MS-60-62
Select Uncirculated MS-63
Choice Uncirculated MS-64
Gem Uncirculated MS-65
Superb Gem Unc. MS-66+
Coins graded above 60 in Uncirculated Mint State condition generally hold a significantly higher value than those graded below 60, which is reflected in their pricing. They often present the greatest potential for price appreciation and consistent growth in value over time.
However, rare gold and silver coins graded below 60 can be exceptions to this rule when few coins are known to exist in Uncirculated State condition due to factors like low survival rates, limited mintages, and mass melting.
A prime example is the gold 1909-O (New Orleans) $5 Indian Head Half Eagle, with fewer than 100 known examples graded above 60 in Uncirculated Mint State. At the time of this writing, just over 100 of the 1909-O are authenticated and certified by PCGS in AU-55 (About Uncirculated) condition, and those coins are valued between $14,000 and $17,500 if available.
Uncirculated Mint State 1909-O coins graded between 60 and 66 can range from $32,000 to $750,000, again, if you can find one.
Now, let's explore "condition rarity." It's straightforward to determine rarity when only a few exist, but condition rarity requires a closer look.
A notable example is the gold 1914-D $2.50 Indian Head Quarter Eagle. The 1911-D is the key date of the series, with a mintage of just 55,680, making it the rarest issue in the series.
In contrast, the 1914-D has a mintage of 448,000, making it the seventh highest manage in the series, yet it ranks as the third-rarest in this 15-coin series, exemplifying "condition rarity."
This rarity stems from its extensive circulation and mass melting, resulting in a limited number of certified higher Uncirculated Mint State coins.
The population of 1914-D coins above Mint State-63 is significantly lower, with just over 50 authenticated and certified coins in MS-65 condition and above.
If you can find one, a Gem MS-65 is valued between $27,000 and $40,000, and no coins are graded higher than Mint State 65.
WHAT ARE CIRCULATED COINS?
As coins change hands among individuals and businesses, they become worn from frequent handling, earning the designation "Circulated." This wear diminishes the coin's luster and detail, which cannot be restored.
Generally, circulated coins are less valuable and sought after than Uncirculated Mint State coins, with some exceptions.
For instance, circulated coins like the 1889-CC (Carson City) Morgan Silver Dollar fetch premium prices due to their limited availability and the scarcity of documented Uncirculated Mint State examples in population and census reports.
WHAT ARE TONED COINS?
Over time, coins can undergo a chemical reaction called oxidation, especially silver coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar. This reaction interacts with the surface metal of the coin and results in toning.
This natural process can produce stunning rainbow-colored silver dollars, displaying hues from blue to magenta, red to orange, olive green, and gold.
However, toning can also lead to corrosion, causing irreversible damage to the coin's surface and undesirable shades of black and brown.
Beautifully toned coins are highly sought after and command premium prices. More vibrant colors and a broader spectrum of hues significantly increase their value.
Rare coins that appear ordinary and are readily available but exhibit remarkable toning can achieve exceptional values.
MINUTEMAN
RARE COIN
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Sincerely,
Edward Walsh
President/CEO
Minuteman Rare Coin
