Mail Bag – When Are You Going to Start a Podcast?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes from Erin W. and it asks a question that is both flattering and challenging. It all evolves from a post last year around podcasts and when I am going to start one here at US Coin News. Erin Writes: Clinton, I visit your site nearly daily and always find great information about coin collecting. I too started in my teens in the 90s and have about 300 coins in my …

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Mail Bag – Why Are American Innovation Dollars Only Sold in Bags & Rolls?

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Today’s Mail Bag question came in last week as a comment on an article about the upcoming Georgia American Innovation Dollar. Their question is about the fact that the United States Mint only sells these coins in bags & rolls – why? Howard writes: hi – i am new to this too…so if this is not the correct place to posit this query – please let me know…. my question…is why are the P & …

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Mail Bag – Are American Eagle Coins Legal Tender?

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Today’s Mail Bag question is more of an ask for help in settling an argument. The question is if American Eagle coins, gold and silver, are legal tender. The question comes from James and they write, Hi, Settle an argument between me and a friend. He says that Silver (American) Eagles cannot be used for paying for things. I say they can but that gold ones can’t. Who’s right? James via the Mail Bag Well …

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Mail Bag – Where Can I Find Coin Weights?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes from Robert and it is one that can be a big hard to find the answer to without a fair amount of looking. It has to do with coin weights and more specifically, where to find them. They write… Hi, I’m trying to find a reliable source for coin weights. I have been looking online and find a lot of different answers and I’m not sure which to believe. Can …

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Mail Bag – Where Did You Go?

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When it comes to Mail Bag questions I get here on the site, I tend to sit on them a few days or even a few weeks before posting them. But in the case of today’s question, it literally came in yesterday and it reminded me that I have a bit of explaining to do. The question came from Tabby who asks…. Hi, I have been following the site for a while now and noticed …

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Mail Bag – Should I Only Buy Slabbed Coins?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes from Amanda and it is a question that many modern collectors face. Should I buy slabbed coins and only buy slabbed coins? The answer, like so many in our hobby, depends on you. They write, Hi, I’ve been collecting for a year now and I’ve started buying slabbed coins from NGC and PCGS. Is that the best way to collect? It seems safer as they are likely genuine coins and …

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Mail Bag – Which Coins Should I Collect?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes in from Adam who asks what coins they should collect as they start out their collection. It is an important one and a question that inevitably every collector has asked themselves at some point. The answer, however, is a bit more complicated. Hi, I am just starting my collection and I have a few pennies, nickels and quarters. What should I start with first? What should I collect overall? Thanks, …

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Mail Bag – What is a Burnished Coin?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes from Rebecca G regarding the term “burnished”. It is a term that gets tossed about a lot but it can lead to question as to what exactly it means. Rebecca writes, Hi, I was reading about a 2006-W ASE (editor: American Silver Eagle) and it mentioned that it was burnished. What does that mean and why is this coin so much more than other ASE coins? Rebecca G’s email This …

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Mail Bag – What is Whizzing?

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Today’s Mail Bag post comes from an email that came in last week from Raj. Their question has to do with coin cleaning and understanding the term Whizzing. Hi, I’ve heard of cleaning a coin by whizzing it. What does that mean? Should I clean coins this way? Raj via Email Raj, thanks for taking the time to write and ask this important question, especially for new collectors. As a general rule, you should not …

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Mail Bag – Are Commemoratives Worth Collecting?

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Today’s Mail Bag question comes from Raul and it has to do with commemorative coins. His question is simple: Is it worth collecting them? Clinton, I saw your Twitter post this week on a Geo(rge) Washington commemorative coin you got. What do you think of it? Is it worth collecting these types of coins too? Raul First, for those that missed the Tweet, this is the one he is referring to in his email: As …

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