The Sheldon Scale is the primary system in use for determining the grade of a coin.  The possible grades range from Poor-1 to Mint State-70 (usually expressed as MS-70).  Every possible number in between is theoretically available for describing a coin's state of preservation, but in practice only certain points of the scale are used (such as EF-45, but not EF-47.)  Learn more about the Sheldon Scale for grading coins.

The Sheldon Scale for Grading Coins originally appeared on About.com Coins on Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 at 04:38:22.

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One of the most common questions I get asked is about two-headed coins.  Someone finds the coin in circulation, so they're sure it has to be genuine!  They look at the edge, and don't see a seam, indicating that the coin was two "heads" halves that have been joined together.  If the two-headed coin is a fake, it has to have this seam, right?

Well, no...  In fact, most two-headed coins are very cleverly put together because they are intended to be examined by spectators during a magician's show or during some other display of clever coin manipulation (such as tossing a coin to see who buys the drinks.)  One thing all two-headed U.S. coins have in common is that they did not come from the U.S. Mint this way!

Learn about how to detect the joined halves of two-headed coins, so you can authenticate these cleverly deceptive marvels for yourself.

• How to Detect a Fake Two-Headed Coin

Two-Headed Coins originally appeared on About.com Coins on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 03:56:23.

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The U.S. Mint issues a wide selection of special sets each year, such as Proof Sets, Uncirculated Coin Sets, sets containing only certain types such as Presidential Dollars or America the Beautiful Quarters^TM, and sometimes special sets comprised of single-issue commemorative coins.  Most of these Mint sets have had lackluster appreciation in value over the years.  Others, though, have skyrocketed quickly and remained at high levels for years.  Do you know which Mint sets are the best buys, the ones mostly likely to be big winners from the investment perspective?

• Which Mint Sets Are the Best Buys?

Which Mint Sets Are the Best Buys? originally appeared on About.com Coins on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 at 04:34:11.

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