R&I Coins Articles

From 1950 to present I continue to get questions from new clients regarding the relative rarity of cameo proof coins, spanning from the 1800’s to the present. I also get questions from newer clientele regarding the availability of the earlier,…

In numismatics there are two major types of rarity, absolute and condition: Absolute rarity: an ascribed rarity to a date or series because of low mintage. Condition rarity: rarity due to few examples of a coin in a specific condition.…

NGC Now Attributing Tomaska Die Varieties for Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars Submitters will be able to find qualifying coins through NGC’s VarietyPlus® service. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) is now attributing Proof Franklin Half Dollars and Proof Kennedy Half Dollars…

The system incorporates the three most critical questions I always ask when considering the purchase of a numismatic coin. These three questions are: How Attractive Is The Coin For Its Respective Date, Does The Coin Rank Among The Finest Known…

Superb Franklin half dollars Shatter Price Records in Auctions and Private Transactions The biggest coin show of the year just concluded, and one of the featured auction houses offered two important key date Franklin half dollars – a 1950 graded…

A Window of Opportunity for You… We are FINALLY offering them!!! “What??” you ask??? 1971 and later MINT STATE Kennedy half dollars in gem MS 65 and higher condition, of course!!! These 1971 and later mint state Kennedy half dollars…

One could write a book on this subject, but given the limits of time and space, I’ll get to the point and offer what I consider some of the essential information a numismatist needs to know on this broad subject.…

The PCGS Cameo Proof Franklin Grading Set Why all Cameo’s (or DCAM/ULTRA’s) aren’t the same! “Buy the coin, not the holder”. Collectors new to buying superb U.S. proof coins often wonder why two cameo proof coins of the same grade, from the…

For an in depth explanation of each level of contrast click here A gem brilliant 1960 Franklin Graded PF 69. Some cameo contrast exhibited, but not enough to earn a cameo designation. This examples displays the minimum cameo contrast required…

Cost of Grading and Encapsulation All coins are curated before encapsulation, neutralizing their surface and removing any possible contaminants that may be invisible to the eye at the time of encapsulation. Holders are the highest quality medical grade plastic! Holders…

Accented Hair: Is a grading attribution for a 1964 proof Kennedy half dollar variation, named so for the extra hair accentuation above the ear. About 3% of all 1964 proof Kennedy half dollars are of the accented hair variety. Bag…