Can you tell a rare gold coin only by yourself? How would you do it? You can try sinking your teeth into the coin, like people did in the old days. If it’s soft it’s gold not silver or copper or iron. Your rate of failure would be worse than 50-50 similar to that experienced by people from the olden days to more recent times before the advent of professional coin grading services like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC).

So, the immediate answer to the question is an emphatic NO. You cannot tell a rare gold coin only by yourself. Let the pros do it.

The PCGS and NGC were founded in response to the clamor and need for reliable and consistent grading of rare coins – the PCGS in 1986 and NGC in 1987. Coins certified by these grading services carry a premium price but are preferred by coin dealers and collectors. The PCGS as of 2009 had certified more than 16 million coins with a total market value of $17 billion. The NGC has certified over 10 million coins coming from all over the world as of 2009. Both these grading services use the Sheldon Scale of grading

Learn more about rare gold coins certified by the PCGS through Certified Gold Exchange (CGE), America’s most trusted gold exchange. CGE is rated with A+, the highest possible rating given by the Better Business Bureau. CGE has also a perfect Zero Complaint record since its founding in 1992. Call 1-800-300-0715 about the following certified rare gold coins:

Double Gold Eagles in $20 denomination, authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849. The Liberty Head Double Eagle struck between 1849 and 1907 and the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle struck between 1807 and 1933. Gold is 90% and copper 10%..

Gold Eagles struck between 1795 and 1933. Gold Eagle variants include Capped Bust Gold Eagle, Liberty Head Gold Eagle and Indian Head Gold Eagle. Composition was initially 91.67% gold and 8.33% copper, later changed in 1838 to 90% gold and 10% copper.

Gold Half Eagles, in denomination of $5, the first gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint under the Act of April 2, 1792. Gold composition was initially 96.7%, later changed to 90%. Variants include the Capped Bust, Liberty Head and Indian Head.

Gold Quarter Eagles in $2.50 denomination also authorized under the Act of April 2, 1792. Variants include Capped Bust, Liberty Head and Indian Head.

Joshua Harris

You might have heard recently that the US Mint ceased production of the 2009 Gold Eagle before the year actually ended. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but you might look at things in a different light if you knew what the law has to say.

Federal law decrees that the US Mint must produce one-ounce Gold Eagle coins in a quantity sufficient to meet consumer demand. The US Mint blamed the cessation of production on a shortage of one-ounce blanks. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, blanks are the gold medallions that are used to make the Gold Eagles and other gold coins. When this “shortage” became a problem, the US Mint stopped making both the bullion and Proof versions of the one-ounce coin. Not only that, but the Mint also stopped making fractional sizes of the Eagle coin.

Although a shortage was given as the official reason of stopping the manufacture of the coins, there has been widespread controversy that the US government is actually hoarding the gold for themselves. The dollar’s recent surge may offer a glimmer of hope to policymakers, so 2010 Gold Eagle coins are now being produced at the regular rate. The US Mint is currently offering the Proof version of the one-ounce Eagle on its’ website, and investors can purchase the American gold Eagle bullion coin (in the one-ounce variety) from authorized dealers.

No one knows for sure how many coins will be produced this year, and the US Mint’s discontinuation of all fractional coins is a sign that the gold could be diverted somewhere else in the near future…for example, to our international debtors or to Fort Knox to back up our dollar if another currency slide begins. To see how the Gold Eagle controversy plays out and to get the info you want on these American coins, visit www.USMint.gov or stay in close contact with Gold-Eagle.org for updates on this developing story.

Michael Johnson

American household investors appreciate the versatility that a Gold Eagle investment offers, as 22 Karat bullion American Eagle coins are widely considered to be excellent short-term investment tools. These beautiful bullion coins are particularly attractive to baby-boomers, as the U.S. government also approves American Eagles for physical IRA storage. Investors can log onto www.bloomberg.com, or www.money.org, for the latest retail prices on American Eagle bullion coins, as well as a variety of rare, Double Eagle coins like $20 Lady Liberty’s, or $20 Saint Gaudens certified, 22 Karat gold coins. These exquisitely beautiful rare coins are generally used for long-term financial security, as their inherent numismatic value has been verified with an official “mint state grade”.

Mint state grades are assigned by either the PCGS, (Professional Coin Grading Service), or the NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corp.). Both of these companies are accepted worldwide as reputable coin assayers. Investment quality mint state grades tend to range between 61 and 66, with a grade of 70 being the highest. Investors can log onto www.pcgs.com, or www.ngccoin.com, for retail prices, as well as a variety of Gold Eagle coins to fit many budgets. Lady Liberty coins are ideal for customizing budgets, as they are also offered in denominations of $10, and $5, commonly referred to as Eagle coins, and Half Eagles, respectively. Investors are urged to always thoroughly evaluate their specific financial needs, then to consult a large-volume precious metal dealer for their Gold Eagle needs. Large-volume dealers offer institutional discounts on their precious metal items, as opposed to retail prices that are offered by the aforementioned sites.

Michael Johnsons