Details, cleaned, scratched: what those grades mean when you sell
A details grade means “real coin, problem surfaces.” It is not worthless. It is not the pretty number next to…
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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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When to slab a coin — and when the plastic is a waste
Grade fees plus postage plus time. Worth it on expensive, original coins that fight about authenticity. Not worth it on…
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PCGS vs NGC for regular people (not a holy war)
Both are real services. Both get faked. Neither turns a common coin into a rare one. Pick a holder the…
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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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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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