LOOKING BACK TO 1987...
COIN QUIZ:
HOW TO TELL IF YOU'RE AS EXPERT
AS THE PROSBy SCOTT A. TRAVERS
COPYRIGHT © 1987, 2003 BY SCOTT A. TRAVERS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The coin field has had the reputation of being an easy-
entry, easy-exit field. With little regulation ---government,
self-imposed or otherwise --- that dealers are required to
abide by, the coin business has grown into a multibillion-
dollar industry.
What, if in an attempt at self-regulation, dealer organizations
were to test dealer members on their knowledge of the field?
What if such a test could be taken by hobbyists, too?
How would you do on such a test? The following questions
are based on information from 2 of my books, The Coin Collector's
Survival Manual™ and Rare Coin Investment Strategy. Knowledge
of the contents of the American Numismatic Association grading
guide also is required.
Just for the fun of it, let's consider 65 percent --- 13
correct answers out of 20 --- a passing grade. After all, 65
(as in Mint State-65) is the big number in the coin businss
nowadays when it comes to grading.
So go ahead. Give it a try!
1. A coin should be held
(A) with little care because it is so durable
(B) loosely in the palm of your hand
(C) with your thumb rubbing the portrait
(D) only by the Professional Coin Grading Service
(E) over a soft fabric, with your thumb and
forefinger tightly gripping the edges of the
coin
2. You should be careful when trying to insert a coin
into a plexiglas-sandwich-type holder because
(A) too much pressure on the coin could cause metal
loss from the edge
(B) too much pressure on the coin could cause
disruption of the coin's light oxide coating,
thus altering the coin's appearance
(C) if you don't put enough fingerprints on the
holder, a prospective buyer actually might be
able to view the coin clearly
(D) these holders are extremely fragile and break
easily
(E) A, B and D
3. Some about uncirculated coins might appear to be mint
state if viewed
(A) under sunlight
(B) under a tensor-type or pinpoint light source
(C) under a floodlight which increases the
brilliance but decreases your ability to
identify detracting marks
(D) too carefully
(E) none of the above
4. The American Numismatic Association recommends that
coins be viewed under magnification of no greater than 10-
power. However, before it ceased operations, the International
Numismatic Society Authentication Bureau advised the public to
grade coins
(A) under a stereo microscope
(B) with no magnification whatsoever
(C) using no more than 5-power
(D) using no more than 3-power
(E) either B or D, depending upon the coin series
5. Two identically graded coins, one weakly struck and
the other sharply struck, do not
(A) have the same specific-gravity measurement
(B) have the same marketplace value
(C) have reeding
(D) have hairlines
(E) both A and B
6. "Proof" refers to
(A) a high grade of uncirculated
(B) a method of manufacture
(C) any coin with contrast between frosted devices
and reflective fields
(D) any third-party opinion of a coin's level of
preservation
(E) all of the above
7. The third edition of Official A.N.A. Grading Standards
for U.S. Coins (Western Publishing Inc., 1987) states that
(A) an MS-63 coin might reasonably be called MS-65,
and the ANA Board of Governors has recognized
that grading differences of fewer than four
points on the 1-to-70 scale can be reasonable
differences
(B) in ANA terms, "above average" is more attractive
than "very pleasing"
(C) detracting marks cannot be measured, counted or
otherwise mechanically assessed to arrive at an
accurate grade
(D) an MS-67 coin may have three or four minuscule
contact marks, with one or two in prime focal
areas, and an MS-68 also may have three or four
minuscule contact marks, with none in prime
focal areas (an MS-69, however, may only have
one or two of these marks, with none in prime
focal areas)
(E) all of the above
8. A whizzed coin can be most easily identified by
(A) its natural luster
(B) its unusually low price
(C) its characteristic crudely cleaned surfaces,
highly porous appearance and lack of detail
(D) its low weight
(E) the humming noise it makes
9. The easiest way to identify an about uncirculated
coin is by
(A) knowing the person offering it
(B) carefully examining the rim for friction
(C) carefully examining the coin's highest points
for a difference in color
(D) looking at a coin's low-relief portions with a
10-power magnifying glass
(E) dipping the coin in an acid-based solution
10. A coin with toning has to be examined especially
carefully because
(A) the coin is probably counterfeit
(B) toning could be artificial and often covers up imperfections
(C) the toning could be unattractive
(D) the coin could be stolen
(E) peripheral patination cannot be removed with
trichlorotrifluoroethane
11. A "rub" is
(A) a stolen coin
(B) a telemarketer
(C) a nick on a grade-sensitive area
(D) slight friction or wear that results from a
coin's having circulated slightly
(E) all of the above
12. The term "weak strike" refers to a coin which has
been manufactured
(A) with a softening or lack of detail on the
coin's high-relief portions because the deepest
areas of the die did not fill adequately as a
result of insufficient pressure
(B) with a softening or loss of detail in the
portions of low relief from die wear
(C) before 1855
(D) at San Francisco
(E) at West Point
13. The term "weakly struck from worn dies" refers to
coins which have been manufactured
(A) with a softening or lack of detail on the
coin's high-relief portions because the deepest
areas of the die not fill adequately as a
result of insufficient pressure
(B) with a softening or loss of detail in the
portions of low relief from die wear
(C) as business strikes, but with proof dies
(D) as restrikes
(E) all of the above
14. In order for a Franklin half dollar to be accorded
the designation "full bell lines," it must
(A) display no trace of a crack in the Liberty Bell
(B) be a proof which displays all six bell lines
(C) display all six bell lines
(D) display all seven bell lines
(E) be certified by the Professional Coin Grading
Service
15. In order for a Standing Liberty quarter to be
accorded the "full-head" designation, it must
(A) be a Type I which displays a full strike in the
area below the neck and above the waist
(B) display a complete four leaves on the
headpiece, as well as an unbroken hairline from
over the forehead to the ear and ear opening
(C) display a complete three leaves on the
headpiece, as well as an unbroken hairline from
over the forehead to the ear and ear opening
(D) be a proof
(E) both A and B
16. Which of the following is not a sound method for use
in determining whether a coin is a brilliant proof or a
prooflike business strike?
(A) check the edge to determine if it appears
perfectly reflective (proof) or if it has what
look like many little parallel, vertical lines
(business strike)
(B) check the rims to determine whether they are
sharp and squared off (proof) or dull, rounded
off and poorly defined (business strike)
(C) examine the depth of reflectivity to determine
whether the reflective surfaces are throughout
the fields (proof) or if there are patches of
non-reflectivity (business strike)
(D) gently tap the coin on a hard surface to be
certain it "rings true"
(E) none of the above
17. The three primary types of counterfeit coins are
(A) re-engravings, restrikes and forgeries
(B) restrikes, doubled dies and dual hubs
(C) primary restrikes, dual hubs and die strikes
(D) casts, electrolytes and die strikes
(E) casts, electrotypes and die strikes
18. If a coin is assigned a grade of MS-68/61, weakly
struck, by the American Numismatic Association Certification
Service, and it has PVC on its surface, what grade
would it most likely be assigned by PCGS?
(A) MS-63
(B) MS-64
(C) MS-65
(D) no grade
(E) not enough information given
19. If gold is valued at $500 per troy ounce, what would
be the bullion value of a Saint-Gaudens double eagle?
(A) $464.40
(B) $474.07
(C) $483.75
(D) $493.42
(E) $503.10
20. Which of the following is not a safe material in
which to store coins over the long term?
(A) polyethylene terepthalate
(B) polyvinyl chloride
(C) acrylic
(D) triacetate
(E) A and D
ANSWERS: 1-E, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A, 5-B, 6-B, 7-E, 8-C, 9-C, 10-B,
11-D, 12-A, 13-B, 14-D, 15-C, 16-D, 17-E, 18-D, 19-C, 20-B
