• Market Report: Market Slow in Some Areas, Wondrous in Others • Set Registry Spotlight on Ohio Collector's Standing Liberties • News: PCGS Grades 8 Millionth Coin • Survey: DCAM Coins   • Our Readers Ask   • Announcements

Is the Coin Market Slower, Steady or Wondrous? It Depends on Who You Ask
Are collectors looking at web sites or watching the war? Coins with eye appeal continue to be tough to find. Santa Clara show is good, but "off a little." Gold coins are quiet compared to February's white-hot pace. The U.S. Mint programs are bringing millions of new collectors into the market. Where is the best place to put your money in the next six years? Click here to read more.

The Ohio Collector - The Number One Finest Standing Liberty Quarter Set, Circulation Strikes (1916-1930)
This collector has been with the Registry for a while and in time has reached the number one spot with one of this country's most beautiful coin sets. Only two coins in this set do not carry the Full Head designation and 15 of his coins are Pop Tops (the highest graded for the date). Congratulations to The Ohio Collector for building a phenomenal set! Click here to view.

Beginning April 1st, PCGS began applying the Full Band designation to Roosevelt dimes. For a limited time, you can submit your Roosevelt dimes for a designation review at the special low fee of $5.00 per coin. But hurry! This special ends soon and your shipment must be postmarked by April 30, 2003. For more information, e-mail PCGS Customer Service at info@pcgs.com. (Please note that if you had a Roosevelt dime set listed in the Registry as of March 11, 2003, those coins are entitled to a free review.)

New set composites online include Early Mint Sets from 1923-1929, Charlotte Gold Set with Varieties (1838-1861), Dahlonega Gold Set with Varieties (1838-1861), Liberty Head $2 1/2 Gold Proof (1840-1858), Liberty Head $2 1/2 Gold Proof (1859-1907), Early $2 1/2 Gold Basic Set Circulation Strikes (1796-1839), Early $2 1/2 Gold with Varieties Circulation Strikes (1796-1839), Early $5 Gold Basic Set Circulation Strikes (1795-1838), Early $5 Gold with Varieties Circulation Strikes (1795-1838), and Early $5 Gold Proof (1820-1838). The weighting for Half Cents Basic Set Proof (1831-1857) and Half Cents with Varieties Proof (1831-1857) is now being previewed. The Charlotte Gold Basic Set (1838-1861) and Dahlonega Gold Basic Set (1838-1861) have been weighted. To learn more, visit the Set Registry News page for frequent updates.

Fun, educational, and sometimes controversial, the PCGS Set Registry Messageboard remains the number one informative coin forum on the Internet. Get involved with other collectors who are currently participating in the Set Registry program or are just beginning. Click here to chat on the Set Registry Messageboard.

The PCGS Set RegistryTM is a work in progress. If you have any suggestions or comments please e-mail setregistry@collectors.com.

Another Numismatic Milestone: PCGS Celebrates 8 Millionth Coin
Serial number 08000000 was given to a 1917-S Standing Liberty quarter-dollar on April 1, 2003. Click here to read more about it.

What are "striations?" Find out in Lingo, the PCGS dictionary of numismatic definitions. Click here for Lingo.

Subscribe to the online PCGS Population Report^SM for as little as $4.95 a month! Updated weekly, get the latest census data on all coins graded by PCGS. Click here to get a free peek at the population statistics for Standing Liberty quarters.

Question: I have a question. I have a PCGS 1882 MS-64PL Morgan and a 1879S MS-64PL Morgan. Yet the prooflike quality of the 79 is much more obvious than the 82. It's clear that the 82 isn't frosty really, but has more frosty luster than the 79 PL.

My question is, can you talk about how the graders look at PL on Morgans. Are different date/mints given a little more slack than others that are known for their exceptional strikes? I know from the ANA grading class that there are nuances that differ even within a series. Like the 1900s-1910s $10 versus the 1920s-1930s $10.

Answer: Most of the PCGS graders use the old reliable finger test. You hold your finger in front of the coin and mentally calculate how clear the reflection is and how many inches away your finger goes before the reflection fades, i.e. 2, 3, 5 inches, etc.

Over the years I have seen a lot of people misjudge PLs when the coin in question has those die striations that appear when the coin is tilted. Those striations give the coin a frosty look at various angles as opposed to a clear reflection. When doing the "finger test," be sure and tilt the coin to various angles so you don't miss possible striations. True PLs can't have those striations.

-- David Hall, Professional Coin Grading Service

Do you have a question you would like to ask our experts? Click here.
Or, visit the PCGS messageboards, the most active coin forums online.

Join the PCGS Collectors Club ...Enjoy the Benefits!
If you love collecting coins, the PCGS Collectors Club is for you. Members enjoy direct access to all PCGS grading services, complimentary PCGS gradings and a wealth of essential information. All PCGS Collectors Club Members enjoy access to all Collectors Universe auctions, eShops and messageboards and the eZines of their choice. Joining is quick and easy. Just click here or call PCGS Customer Service at 800-447-8848. Do it today!

Oh, that magic Carson City mintmark! It brings back the history of the American West, the Comstock Lode and times when coins were made out of silver and gold. For the second quarter special of 2003 (April 1-June 30) Collectors Club members may submit one Carson City coin of any denomination for FREE grading and authentication by the PCGS experts. All you have to pay for is the postage. Each coin will be handled through the Regular Service, which takes 15 business days. This offer is available to Gold and Platinum level Collectors Club members only.

Bid Online in
Lyn Knight Currency Auctions' Spring 2003 Sale!

Online bidding for Lyn Knight Currency Auctions' Spring 2003 sale in now underway. This auction features the finest in U.S. paper money including:

• The Gerald Loegler Collection of Alabama National Bank Notes
• The Mike Ziegler Collection of U.S. Currency
• A Rebel's Collection of CSA

To view the lots in this sale and bid online, click here.

Important Show Updates!

Chicago International Coin Fair
Holiday Inn O'Hare
5440 North River Road
Rosemont, IL
April 24-27

Central States Numismatic Society Convention
America's Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
May 1-4

Chicago Coin Fair: Have your coins graded by PCGS and save on one-way postage! You may also submit your coins to all PCGS grading service levels. Your PCGS-graded coins will be mailed back to you.

• Thur. 4/24 - 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Fri. 4/25 - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Sat. 4/26 - 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Sun. 4/27 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  (PCGS will not attend on Sunday)

Central States Numismatic Convention: PCGS will be offering walk through Service. You may also submit your coins to all PCGS grading service levels. Your PCGS-graded coins will be mailed back to you.

Walk through Service

• $65.00 per coin (5 coin minimum per order) for coins valued under $1500.00
• $100.00 per coin for coins valued over $1,500.00

For more information regarding the Chicago International Coin Fair & Central States Show, call 414-421-3484.

Upcoming Shows

Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Exposition
Long Beach Convention Center
100 South Pine Ave
Long Beach, CA
May 28-June 1

MIDAMERICA Coin Expo
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
June 26-29

For more information regarding the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Expo, call 562-436-3636.