Expert: Joe Hylas - 11/13/2004

Question
Hi Joe
I just started collecting coins about 2 years ago and find that im addicted to it very much my collection is over $50.000 how i dont know just lucky i guess! Question i like pennies and have over 200 lbs of them as i go though them i find some that are ( too me in the high 60s)untouched but i send them off to ANACS grading and they come back not even close to what i thought i had! please help me understand what im doing wrong. thank you Lee Quaintance phoenix AZ  

Answer
Hi Lee,
It's tough to say without seeing the coins that you feel are high grade.  However, since ANACS has certified some of them, use those as a guideline example of what a particular grade should look like.
I've been grading coins for 35 years and I'm still not 100% right.  It takes a lok of practice as you are finding out.
Lee, rather than sending in pennies that look high grade, send in the key date pieces you find.  You'll save a lot on grading fees and in the meantime, sharpen your grading skills.
Use a good magnifier, minumum 10 power, to look at the coins and always in good light.
The more you read, the more you'll learn.  Get reference books and study them.  Learn the high points on a coin that wear first, that one of the keys.
Also, why not buy coins that are already certified?  We have a large inventory so anytime you want something, email me at OmegaPM@aol.com

Regards,
Joe Hylas