The Sheldon Scale: A Comprehensive Guide for Grading Gold and Silver Coins

The Sheldon grading Scale is widely used by various entities within the numismatic community. Third-party grading services are arguably the most notable users of the Sheldon grading Scale. These independent organizations, including the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), provide expert coin grading services to collectors and dealers worldwide.

Sheldon introduced his scale in the 1940s for the grading of early American cents, but the system’s usefulness quickly led to its adoption for all types of coins. The Sheldon Grading Scale effectively revolutionized the field of numismatics by providing a common language to describe a coin’s condition.

Zimbabwe Sells $14 Million in Gold-Backed Digital Tokens

Zimbabwe 1 oz gold coin

The token’s initial offering is backed by 140 kilogram gold bars that have been allocated from central bank reserves

The offering from Zimbabwe is causing a ruckus with the IMF that is reminiscent of the outrage posited against El Salvador when it established bitcoin as a legal currency and began issuing bitcoin bonds.

Zimbabwe to Launch Gold-Backed Digital Currency

central bank digital currency

Zimbabwe has had a long history of economic instability. From 2004 until 2009 the country experienced five years of hyperinflation.

More than ten years later, the economy is Zimbabwe is still in shambles. The Zimbabwe dollar was reintroduced in 2019. More periods of high inflation quickly followed.

2023-W Proof Gold Eagle and Buffalo Coins from the US Mint

2023-W Gold Eagle Proof 4 coin collectors set with box (ogp) and coa

The US Mint releases proof finish versions of the American Eagle and American Buffalo coins each spring. The coins are meticulously minted to a mirror-like finish which highlights the astonishing details sculpted into each.

Resale premiums on proof finish coins are higher than bullion. Dealer Buyback prices are often a few percent above melt value for coins that are in mint state.

Sales Tax When Buying Silver and Gold

$20 Liberty Double Eagle Obverse

The notion of sales tax on precious metals investing is a contentious issue to some and represents a line in the sand between some legislators and investors. Despite the long history of gold and silver being recognized as money, many states continue to tax their citizens for the privilege of owning these metals.