Author name: KMFranck

How Much is It Worth? Valuing Gems and Precious Metals

Having trouble putting a value on your gems, gold or other precious metals? Check out this video (or read below) on how to value your rare gems and mineral specimens! Remember the Four C’s of Valuing Gems and Minerals: Clarity Color Carat (size) Condition With these you will have no problem putting a higher or […]

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What is a Wide Collar Coin?

Definition:  A coin struck inside a collar whose diameter is wider than normal.  This rare error is subtle and is often only detected when an otherwise normal-looking coin gets stuck in a plastic storage tube or won’t fit in its designated hole inside a cardboard Dansco album. An abnormally wide collar can arise in several ways: A collar intended

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U.S. Mint Gold Bullion Sales Slow in August

U.S. Mint Gold Bullion Sales Slow in August

United States Mint bullion sales in August were steady for American Silver Eagles, but weak historically, and slowed sharply for American Eagle and Buffalo gold coins, figures from the bureau show. The U.S. Mint’s 2022 American Platinum Eagle continues to solidly outperform last year’s edition. American Eagle gold bullion coins advanced 51,500 ounces in August,

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Gold and Other Metals Score First Weekly Gains in Four Weeks

Gold and Other Metals Score First Weekly Gains in Four Weeks

Precious metals advanced on Friday, cementing their first weekly gains in four weeks. While increases for gold were modest, they were robust for silver, platinum and palladium. On Friday, gold for December delivery rose $8.40, or 0.5%, to settle at $1,728.60 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. The finish was the best since Aug.

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What are those circles on your coins?

circle mark on coin

Definition: Tiny raised circles, semicircles, and occasionally spirals that are most often found in or near the center of the design.  The imperfections can be found on either face.  First recognized in 2004 cents, these die imperfections have now been found as far back as a 1965 cent and as recently as a 2015 nickel.  Other examples

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What are Lathe Rings?

lathe rings on lincoln cent

Lathe Rings Definition: These concentric rings are produced by a lathe which shapes the cone-shaped face of the unfinished working die.  The cone is supposed to be polished smooth before hubbing. If polishing is omitted or inadequate, the surface will remain covered by concentric lathe marks which will not be erased by subsequent hubbing. Concentric rings can be seen

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Coin World Sneak Peak on Unique Machine Doubling Examples

coin machine doubling coin world

An unusual case of machine doubling What is called “machine doubling” is a fairly common occurrence on coins and is a manifestation of press instability, writes Mike Diamond in his “Collectors’ Clearinghouse” column. The featured coin this week displays an unusual form of machine doubling. “A complex example of bifacial push doubling is seen here

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