If you shop for coins online or from dealer advertisements in magazines and newspapers, then you've likely come across a few familiar marketing phrases with each of the coin ads you've come across. Some of the phrasing is legit, such as "our business is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau" or "Member of the Professional Numismatists Guild." In f...

If you’re looking for coin shows that are happening near you, then you may be in luck. There are several coin shows going on throughout the United States for the week of June 19-25, 2015. Coin shows aren’t only great places to meet other like-minded individuals and buy or sell coins, but many also offer seminars, lectures, and other exciting and enriching opportunities to learn more about your favorite hobby.

Everyone’s looking for tips on buying American Silver Eagles at the lowest possible prices. Yes, I believe the old saying “you get what you pay for” usually applies to buying silver coins and other numismatic material. However, I’ve also learned there are a few legitimate ways you can buy silver eagles at good prices by knowing when and where to buy them, how many to purchase at a time, and also looking for pieces that may be less than stellar.

I was thinking about the matter of ethics in buying coins the other day while shopping at a local coin dealer and I wondered – we all talk about how important it is that coin dealers are honest and play fairly with their customers. But what about the matter of honest, ethical coin buyers? What should we numismatic consumers do if we spot a rare coin variety in an otherwise common mint set offered for $4, or accidentally receive a coin that is much more valuable than what we paid for it?

I've been collecting coins since 1992, which is enough time to have learned more than a few things about the hobby I love. I was still a kid when I first ventured into coin collecting, which means I was at that prime age for touching the hot stove… and learning not to touch it again!