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F. Michael Fazzari

Articles From This Author

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Collecting 101

Behind the Scenes: Coin Conservation

By F. Michael FazzariMay 13, 2022
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US Coin News

Striking Error Discovered on 2022 Silver Eagles

By F. Michael FazzariMay 5, 2022
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Collecting 101

Secret Marks on Coins

By F. Michael FazzariApr 29, 2022
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Collecting 101

Net Grading Explained

By F. Michael FazzariMar 12, 2022
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US Coin News

Major Error on 2021-S Morgan Dollar

By F. Michael FazzariNov 12, 2021
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US Coins

An Insider’s View on Counterfeit Publication

By F. Michael FazzariSep 10, 2021
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Collecting 101

Modern Bullion Fakes Particularly Deceptive

By F. Michael FazzariMar 12, 2021
World Coin News

Fluorescent Light Coin Examinations

By F. Michael FazzariAug 16, 2020
Obverse of a flatly struck Buffalo nickel.
Archive

Coin Design Detail a Grading ‘Flaw’

By F. Michael FazzariJun 23, 2020
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World Coin News

Can You Find ‘Secret’ Dime Marker?

By F. Michael FazzariMay 5, 2020
Figure 1: Massive planchet flaw.
World Coin News

The Mints of Then and Now

By F. Michael FazzariOct 27, 2019
Figure 2: Genuine coin with “Mint Quality” sharpness.
Collecting 101

Genuine Coins Have “Style”

By F. Michael FazzariMay 24, 2019
Contact marks added to the eagle’s breast to hide the friction wear.
Collecting 101

Learning to recognize friction

By F. Michael FazzariApr 26, 2019
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Collecting 101

Separate coin values from conditions

By F. Michael FazzariJan 31, 2019
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Coin Q&A

Counterfeits get better and better

By F. Michael FazzariJan 10, 2019
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: New information exists for seekers

By F. Michael FazzariJun 24, 2018
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Internet holds troves of info for collectors

By F. Michael FazzariJul 2, 2017
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News

Old AU coins make Mint State today

By F. Michael FazzariFeb 2, 2017
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News

Taking time to learn enhances hobby

By F. Michael FazzariJan 9, 2017
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Coin Q&A

Market makes AU coins uncirculated

By F. Michael FazzariDec 8, 2016
Trade dollar variety research has led to the discovering of
News

New Trade dollar type identified

By F. Michael FazzariMay 12, 2016
You can see the same depressions on two different fake Wood’s Hibernia halfpennies indicating they were struck with the same die.
News

Fakers getting better and better

By F. Michael FazzariApr 18, 2016
See detailed images of U.S. coins in Robert VanRyzin's U.S. Coins Close Up.
News

Old dogs argue about new tricks

By F. Michael FazzariDec 22, 2015
Figure 1 shows a mark on the cheek of a Kennedy half dollar that may be considered at the borderline between a hairline and a scratch.
News

Scratches vary in severity on coins

By F. Michael FazzariFeb 27, 2015
A small piece of lint deposited during the striking process can be seen on this coin, Many major grading companies would still grade it as a perfect coin.
Archive

Perfect doesn’t have to be perfect

By F. Michael FazzariMay 29, 2014
Grading Assistant
Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Color important part of coin grade

By F. Michael FazzariDec 14, 2012
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News

Assigning grades to altered coins

By F. Michael FazzariDec 13, 2012
One Coin is Never Enough
News

Luster helps you find the ballpark

By F. Michael FazzariJul 24, 2012
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Experience improves cleaning odds

By F. Michael FazzariJul 12, 2012
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News

Berry and stem aid in identification

By F. Michael FazzariJul 9, 2012
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News

Grading silver Eagles takes practice

By F. Michael FazzariJun 7, 2012
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News

Beware of altered Standing Liberty

By F. Michael FazzariJun 4, 2012
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News

Grading incuse Indians a challenge

By F. Michael FazzariMay 9, 2012
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News

Chemical residues hard to detect

By F. Michael FazzariMar 14, 2012
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News

Counterfeit slabs hit the market

By F. Michael FazzariFeb 8, 2012
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Archive

Unattributed coins lead to surprises

By F. Michael FazzariDec 21, 2011
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News

Treated surfaces sticky to touch

By F. Michael FazzariNov 30, 2011
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Archive

‘Doctoring’ a challenge to define

By F. Michael FazzariNov 7, 2011
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Archive

Increased supplies – increased risk

By F. Michael FazzariOct 19, 2011
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News

Edges can reveal coin to be a fake

By F. Michael FazzariAug 15, 2011
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News

Strike, eye appeal affect value

By F. Michael FazzariAug 9, 2011
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News

Coin surfaces reveal much magnified

By F. Michael FazzariJul 18, 2011
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News

Prooflike coins struck with new dies

By F. Michael FazzariJul 11, 2011
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News

Chasing the counterfeit menace

By F. Michael FazzariJun 22, 2011
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News

Which details are most important?

By F. Michael FazzariJun 1, 2011
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Archive

Look carefully for hairlines on uncs

By F. Michael FazzariMar 8, 2011
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Archive

What we learn from one fake

By F. Michael FazzariFeb 17, 2011
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Archive

What do you do with ugly coins?

By F. Michael FazzariJan 19, 2011
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Archive

Altered coins try to dupe the unwary

By F. Michael FazzariDec 14, 2010
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Archive

If buying bullion, make it high grade

By F. Michael FazzariDec 7, 2010