RECENT Request from a customer !

Dear Readers and my valued customers,

I'm attaching a recent email from one of my loyal customers! While I'm not always in position to be of this much assistance, I'm hoping someone can answer the "Paper Money" publication issue.

1. What art the best 2-4 books I can use to determine current worth, populations, etc? Are joining PCGS and NGC worth it since values rise and falls with the times?

YES,

PCGS sends out quarterly reports as well as monthly!
Once on the site, review the different "types" of membership. You don't necessarily have to go Platinum, however with it you get 12 FREE Slabs, you can submit 12 coins and they'll grade them free. It pays for itself, IF you're going to grade 12 coins.

NGC is also a way to join the ANA, very important in my opinion, while I don't use them to grade many coins, I do have them certify some. There are times when using them are beneficial. If we speak I can go into further detail on this. The information line is answered, the girls are great, VERY helpful, when I started, I needed patience, they are number one in that category.

Grey Sheet, the single most important subscription for collectors. You'll receive "Weekly" updates based on SALES. The paper is The Coin Dealer Newsletter, at one time you had to be a registered dealer, they've relaxed the membership qualifications, however I believe you need to be an ANA member.

Numismatic News, The Complete Information Source for Coin Collectors.
This newspaper is weekly sometimes, however bi-weekly most of the time. While I don't believe it is the be all, end all. It does provide the latest in error coins being minted, direct news from the US Mint and plenty of advanced notice on upcoming products from the US Mint. EVEN before the US Mint lists the upcoming products, VERY helpful. I've made an enormous amount of money with this information.

These 4 are a very good start, IF YOU READ THEM!
You wouldn't believe how many people I've informed that the 4 listed above are necessary, only to get questions from them, that are more than answered in 1 or all 4 of the above.

2. How do feel about paper currency, especially printed during historic times? (WWI, WWII, pre and post Russian Revolution, Confederacy, Charlotte mint mark)

Paper Currency is not my "Strong Suit" however Coin Values sends out a monthly issues just on Paper Money. This is excellent of ALL US Money! I believe you'd have to find a more Subject Specific in order to obtain Foreign Paper Money. (I'm going to post this in my eBay Blog to see if I can have some of the experts come with additional advice.)

3. What would be the 4-5 "most collectible" old US coins", such as Barbers, Peace, Indian heads, etc?

WOW, you'll have a thousand people with strong evidence on ANY of the US Coinage. It really depends on your pocket book, commitment and perseverance!
I always advise people to start with something that won't cost a ton to achieve completion. Once you've chosen one, stick to it, AND a budget. When I started in Coin Collecting I was 7 years old, my Dad had a Laundry Mat. I was in charge of "Rolling" all the change. My father bought me all the books for Quarters, Dimes (Mercury & Roosevelt), Jefferson Nickels, and pennies. (Lincoln and Indian) In 1959 and for the next 10 years, I filled more than 100 complete books, there wasn't ANY coins that I was unable to find to complete at least 4 books, including 4 complete Mercury Dime collections w 1916-d's. That was then, this is now; To be certain you want to collect, I tell everybody "Start with Kennedy Halves," don't pay a premium. Go to your local banks, purchase $100.00 a week, get a book and start to fill it. You'll be surprised on just how many silver, real silver Kennedy's are still in circulation. Especially the 40% silver halves minted for a few years after 1964. One can make a decent amount of money just on those with the price of silver @ $17.00 an ounce. You do the math! :>)
Once you get the true feel of searching coins, you'll Never look at your change the same, promise!
Currently, I'm close to completing my $2.50 Gold Indians, when I started, it was just raw coins, I used "Grading Standards" by Kenneth Bressett to get top picks. I completed the set buying coins off eBay and sent them to PCGS, more than 60% came back ungraded because they were cleaned. There and then I decided that it would be more realistic to purchase PCGS Graded $2.50 Gold Indians, PLUS it cost me less.
The above mentioned book is a must as well!

I'm going to send you some VERY GOOD books, copies of most of the publications I mentioned above.

I'm more than pleased to help you!

Thank you in advance for your help. I've enjoyed my purchases from you and could use some help. Hope we can do some more business in the future.

If you would please return me the postage paid from the box I'm sending, it would be greatly appreciated!

Frank & Trudi
tandfcoins
T & F Coins