I, Eric Lindholm, have been immersed in the coin industry since I was 16 and have consistently attended shows since I was 18. Despite my young age of 23, I have a substantial track record of sourcing high-quality material, including high-grade, registry-quality coins, numerous "finest-known" varieties, and ultra-scarce varieties. My expertise in Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents is unmatched, having specialized in them early in my career. My deep research, mastery, and near photographic memory of these coins ensure I can help you build an elite collection, regardless of your budget.

Pricing coins is both an art and a science, involving many variables. While some coins trade frequently enough to reveal pricing trends, others, especially rare varieties, can vary dramatically in value. For example, a rare variety can be worth 100 times more than a common one, and attractive toning can significantly boost a coin's price.

We assess each coin's quality on a spectrum to accurately determine its value. For instance, a key date 1877 Indian Head Cent in AU 58 can range from $3,500 to $6,000+ depending on its quality and attractiveness. While auction comps and price guides provide benchmarks, pricing ultimately relies on intuition, experience, and market conditions. It's about finding a consensus on what a coin is worth between buyer and seller.

While there are many "guardrails" like CAC stickering, third-party grading services, and other stickers to give confidence to novice to intermediate collectors, nothing replaces self-education in what you are collecting. Developing a personal relationship with a knowledgeable dealer, like ourselves, who freely exchange opinions on a coin's worth and quality, can be invaluable.

It's crucial to conduct thorough self-research, delve into auction comparisons, scrutinize and compare your coins, and read the top literature and articles for your series. Building camaraderie with collectors at your level is also essential. Online forums like the PCGS message boards and other sites offer great avenues to share and get quick feedback.

The best way to collect coins is subjective and varies widely. While you can collect whatever you want, it's important to consider long-term satisfaction, financial limits, and market value. Collecting can be based on type, series, grade, year, toning, historical relevance, or a mix of these. Competitive Registry Sets with various themes also attract many collectors. For personalized advice on the best collecting strategies for you, contact us for a free consultation.

Collecting coins can be rewarding, with significant appreciation in value since the 1970s. However, new collectors should be cautious with an "investor" mindset. The coin market is unpredictable, with undervalued, correctly valued, and overvalued coins fluctuating in interest over time. While some series like Silver Commemorative coins haven't recovered from past market manipulations, those with a discerning eye for quality, rarity, and patience will likely do well. Focus on these aspects rather than viewing coins purely as investments.

PCGS and NGC were founded in the mid-to-late 1980s to address the rampant misrepresentation of coin conditions and values during the "Wild West" days of the coin industry. Large telemarketing companies often marketed coins in better condition than they were, exploiting the subjective nature of grading at the time. PCGS and NGC revolutionized the industry by providing slabbed grading and guaranteeing authenticity, bringing stability and credibility to coin collecting.

CAC emerged to counteract "grade inflation" seen in established grading companies. CAC applied its stringent standards, awarding its Green Sticker only to coins that met their high criteria for the grade, focusing on originality and overall quality. Recently, CAC launched its own grading service, CACG, which has quickly gained favor among collectors and dealers.

Today, PCGS and CAC(G) graded coins generally fetch higher prices in the market, especially for US type coins, as they are perceived to grade more discerningly than NGC. At Sublime Coins, we primarily offer PCGS/CAC or CACG graded coins, aligning well with many collectors' PCGS or CACG Registry Sets.

One common mistake is not buying nice coins, opting instead for subpar offerings just to fill a spot in the collection. Additionally, many collectors fail to focus on a specific genre or type of collection, leading to a scattered and less valuable assortment. Building the right relationships to source the best coins is crucial, yet often neglected.

Collecting can be complex and it's tempting to settle for lesser coins rather than waiting patiently for the right ones. Being stingy when the perfect coin appears can also be a problem, as other collectors or dealers may quickly buy it or drive up the price. Hesitating on the right coin can mean missing out for years. These are just starting points, and the topic deserves deeper exploration.