September 25, 2021

F. Michael Fazzari

Articles From This Author

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US Coins

An Insider’s View on Counterfeit Publication

Sep 10, 2021
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Collecting 101

Modern Bullion Fakes Particularly Deceptive

Mar 12, 2021
World Coin News

Fluorescent Light Coin Examinations

Aug 16, 2020
Obverse of a flatly struck Buffalo nickel.
Archive

Coin Design Detail a Grading ‘Flaw’

Jun 23, 2020
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World Coin News

Can You Find ‘Secret’ Dime Marker?

May 5, 2020
Figure 1: Massive planchet flaw.
World Coin News

The Mints of Then and Now

Oct 27, 2019
Figure 2: Genuine coin with “Mint Quality” sharpness.
Collecting 101

Genuine Coins Have “Style”

May 24, 2019
Contact marks added to the eagle’s breast to hide the friction wear.
Collecting 101

Learning to recognize friction

Apr 26, 2019
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Collecting 101

Separate coin values from conditions

Jan 31, 2019
Counterfeits0122
Coin Q&A

Counterfeits get better and better

Jan 10, 2019
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: New information exists for seekers

Jun 24, 2018
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Internet holds troves of info for collectors

Jul 2, 2017
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News

Old AU coins make Mint State today

Feb 2, 2017
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News

Taking time to learn enhances hobby

Jan 9, 2017
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Coin Q&A

Market makes AU coins uncirculated

Dec 8, 2016
Trade dollar variety research has led to the discovering of
News

New Trade dollar type identified

May 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

Apr 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

Dec 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

Feb 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

May 29, 2014
Grading Assistant
Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Color important part of coin grade

Dec 14, 2012
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News

Assigning grades to altered coins

Dec 13, 2012
One Coin is Never Enough
News

Luster helps you find the ballpark

Jul 24, 2012
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Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Experience improves cleaning odds

Jul 12, 2012
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News

Berry and stem aid in identification

Jul 9, 2012
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News

Grading silver Eagles takes practice

Jun 7, 2012
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News

Beware of altered Standing Liberty

Jun 4, 2012
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News

Grading incuse Indians a challenge

May 9, 2012
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News

Chemical residues hard to detect

Mar 14, 2012
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News

Counterfeit slabs hit the market

Feb 8, 2012
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Archive

Unattributed coins lead to surprises

Dec 21, 2011
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News

Treated surfaces sticky to touch

Nov 30, 2011
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Archive

‘Doctoring’ a challenge to define

Nov 7, 2011
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Archive

Increased supplies – increased risk

Oct 19, 2011
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News

Edges can reveal coin to be a fake

Aug 15, 2011
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News

Strike, eye appeal affect value

Aug 9, 2011
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News

Coin surfaces reveal much magnified

Jul 18, 2011
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News

Prooflike coins struck with new dies

Jul 11, 2011
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News

Chasing the counterfeit menace

Jun 22, 2011
grading coins
News

Which details are most important?

Jun 1, 2011
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Archive

Look carefully for hairlines on uncs

Mar 8, 2011
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Archive

What we learn from one fake

Feb 17, 2011
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Archive

What do you do with ugly coins?

Jan 19, 2011
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Archive

Altered coins try to dupe the unwary

Dec 14, 2010
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Archive

If buying bullion, make it high grade

Dec 7, 2010
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Reader Viewpoint

Study real coins to detect fakes

Nov 5, 2010
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Archive

Look to luster when grading foreign

Nov 3, 2010
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Archive

Mintmarks added to 1932 quarter

Oct 12, 2010
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Archive

Forget what you know with MS-61

Sep 14, 2010
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Archive

Stereomicroscope a necessary tool

Aug 24, 2010