Skip to main content
December 5, 2021

F. Michael Fazzari

Articles From This Author

IMG_6516
US Coin News

Major Error on 2021-S Morgan Dollar

Nov 12, 2021
Figure1
US Coins

An Insider’s View on Counterfeit Publication

Sep 10, 2021
Figure3
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
Fazzari
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
Fazzari0212
Collecting 101

Separate coin values from conditions

Jan 31, 2019
Counterfeits0122
Coin Q&A

Counterfeits get better and better

Jan 10, 2019
Viewpoint0710
Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: New information exists for seekers

Jun 24, 2018
Viewpoint0718
Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Internet holds troves of info for collectors

Jul 2, 2017
Fazzari0214
News

Old AU coins make Mint State today

Feb 2, 2017
fazzari0124
News

Taking time to learn enhances hobby

Jan 9, 2017
fazzari
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
faz2250
News

Assigning grades to altered coins

Dec 13, 2012
One Coin is Never Enough
News

Luster helps you find the ballpark

Jul 24, 2012
cleaning170
Reader Viewpoint

Viewpoint: Experience improves cleaning odds

Jul 12, 2012
faz170
News

Berry and stem aid in identification

Jul 9, 2012
faz170
News

Grading silver Eagles takes practice

Jun 7, 2012
faz170
News

Beware of altered Standing Liberty

Jun 4, 2012
faz300
News

Grading incuse Indians a challenge

May 9, 2012
ArtLargImg24845
News

Chemical residues hard to detect

Mar 14, 2012
ArtLargImg24717
News

Counterfeit slabs hit the market

Feb 8, 2012
ArtLargImg24514
Archive

Unattributed coins lead to surprises

Dec 21, 2011
faz170
News

Treated surfaces sticky to touch

Nov 30, 2011
faz170
Archive

‘Doctoring’ a challenge to define

Nov 7, 2011
ArtLargImg24263
Archive

Increased supplies – increased risk

Oct 19, 2011
ArtLargImg22856
News

Edges can reveal coin to be a fake

Aug 15, 2011
faz170
News

Strike, eye appeal affect value

Aug 9, 2011
faz170
News

Coin surfaces reveal much magnified

Jul 18, 2011
faz170
News

Prooflike coins struck with new dies

Jul 11, 2011
faz170
News

Chasing the counterfeit menace

Jun 22, 2011
grading coins
News

Which details are most important?

Jun 1, 2011
faz0322.jpg
Archive

Look carefully for hairlines on uncs

Mar 8, 2011
faz0301.jpg
Archive

What we learn from one fake

Feb 17, 2011
faz0201.jpg
Archive

What do you do with ugly coins?

Jan 19, 2011
faz1221big.jpg
Archive

Altered coins try to dupe the unwary

Dec 14, 2010
faz1214.jpg
Archive

If buying bullion, make it high grade

Dec 7, 2010
counterfeit150.jpg
Reader Viewpoint

Study real coins to detect fakes

Nov 5, 2010
faz1109.jpg
Archive

Look to luster when grading foreign

Nov 3, 2010
faz1019b.jpg
Archive

Mintmarks added to 1932 quarter

Oct 12, 2010
faz0921.jpg
Archive

Forget what you know with MS-61

Sep 14, 2010