If you’re just getting started as a coin collector, and have already invested in a striking trump gold dollar coin as an item of highly collectible memorabilia, here are a few important things to keep in mind when browsing for other collectibles coins at fares and auctions:

For raw coins, always hold them by the edges

Unless a coin has been placed inside some sort of holder, it’s referred to as a ‘raw’ coin, and it’s extremely important to handle these by their edges. You may want to use a pair of tweezers designed especially for that purpose, or wear gloves, as oils and other residue on our fingers can cause damage to a coin over time.

Look at the coin under a good light

Once you’ve spotted a coin that you’re interested in, try to examine it in closer detail under a bright light, to ascertain its condition. Look for any signs of damage; hairlines or minute scratches may indicate that the coin has been cleaned. If the coin has a dull luster, this could mean that it has been dipped harshly, too. If the coin you’re looking at is in good condition, you’ll generally be able to tell quite easily from the luster, which is basically the coin’s sheen or reflective properties, seen on the surface and produced during the minting process.

As with many of these factors, however, it may take an experienced eye to tell a coin’s exact condition, and you may benefit from speaking with an expert, or doing some research before you start shopping.

Use a grading book to determine the coin’s grade

While grading a coin doesn’t always give a definitive answer, if you can come to an agreement with the seller as to what grade the coin is, you may be able to negotiate a better price. Should the coin have any dings, corrosion or contact marks on it, this could affect how the coin is graded, and it will be referred to as a ‘details’ coin, meaning that it isn’t problem-free, and cannot be sold as such.

As mentioned above, if you can educate yourself about the grading process, and learn how to do it with the help of a book, you’ll be less likely to make an unwise investment. When buying trump silver rounds on the other hand, you’re guaranteed quality and collectability and a sound investment!

Carefully check its eye appeal

Even if a coin has been graded by a seller and is within a range that you find acceptable, however, there may still be factors such as dark toning that make it less visually appealing. Sometimes, to give yourself the best chance of making a wise investment, coins that have been graded at an acceptable level for you and which are at an affordable price, should be passed over if they don’t meet the eye appeal test.

If a coin has been graded by a third party service, it’s probably genuine

While this may not always be the case, generally speaking, when a professional third party service experienced in grading coins, has slabbed it, you can assume this to be genuine. If you’re unsure, use the points mentioned above to double check a coin that has already been graded, and to make sure your investment is well informed.

It’s worth learning the many different aspects related to coin buying, selling and collecting, not only so that you don’t have to rely on the opinion’s of others, but also so that you can make better purchases, and enhance your collection with quality items that you may be able to sell at a profit in the future.