Fake slabs: the plastic can lie too
A holder is not a halo. Fake grading plastic exists. Real holders get cracked and stuffed. Look up the cert.…
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The public coin and money library, plus dealer guides — what people bring to a shop, how money works, and how shops run.
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Tungsten-filled gold bars: the fake that almost weighs right
Tungsten is dense like gold. That is the trick. Weight alone is not enough. Dimensions, ultrasound, XRF, and a shop…
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XRF, acid, and Sigma: what the tests at the counter actually mean
No single gadget ends the argument. Acid is ugly and honest. XRF is pretty and fooled. Sigma listens to the…
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Troy ounces, grams, and pennyweight: the units on the ticket
A troy ounce is heavier than you think if you grew up on grocery ounces. Pennyweight is jewelry talk. Ask…
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Call ahead on a large sale. Cash is not a river.
A shop can buy a lot of metal. They cannot always peel $40,000 off the drawer at 4:55 on a…
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Get a second opinion the same week — without turning it into a war
Two bids is not disloyal. Playing shops against each other with fake numbers is. Bring the same metal. Tell the…
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You can walk away from a bid. The metal is still yours.
A bid is an offer, not a verdict. Take it home. Think. Get another number. Spot will move. That is…
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Sort it before you arrive (or plan to wait)
One bag of everything is a puzzle. Four piles are a ticket. Shops will sort it either way. Only one…
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What to bring when you sell coins or gold (and what to leave at home)
The metal, the ID, the paperwork if you have it. Not the toothpaste. Not twelve heirs on speakerphone. Not a…
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