How much is your Comic Book Worth?

Many comic books collectors are not sure how much their comic books are worth either for a potential sale or for their insurance declerations.

To begin with, the bottom line is that the worth of your comic book will be the subjective price which a certain buyer will be willing to pay at a certain time.
However, there are several factors which are taken into consideration once evaluating the worth of a comic book.

The first step is to grade you comic book. Grading is the term used to indicate the condition of the comic book and as a consequence its value.

The condition is determined by serveral factors such as the condition of the comic book covers, the inside of the comic book – are these complete or are there any tears and pages missing? Are the pages faded or not? The rarety and popularity of the comic book can also dramatically increase or decrease its value.

There are common terms to describe the condition of the comic book and a copy that falls between the grades usually is noted with a plus or a minus signs or with both of the grade terms with a slash seperating them.
The common grades terms are as follows from the best condition – Mint to the Poor one.
MT/M– Mint; Near Mint – NM; Very Fine – VF; Fine – FN; Very Good – VG; Good – GD/G; Fair – FR; Poor – PR;

Once determing in general the condition of your comic book, it is recommended to review several comic books price guides to get an idea of the value of the book. Price guides will list the comic book name and value based on its condition. Several price guides will list a range of value while others will list a fixed price.

The comic book could be identified based on its title which is the name of the comic book series and the Issue which is the single installment of a title, usually with its own number.
It is advised to rely on several resources to reach an accurate estimated value.

Comic books price guides are usually published on a monthly, quarterly and on a yearly basis. The most well known guides today include “The Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide”, The Comics Buyer’s Guide Magazine”, “The Standard Catalog of Comic Books” and “The Comics Buyer’s Guide”. Today there are also several online comic books price guides available for collectors.

We also advise to review the latest deals on online auction websites such as www.coollectors.com to receive additional indictions to the right value of the comic book.

It should be noted that selling your comic book to dealers might not get its top value since the dealers will demand their commission. It could be more lucrative to sell your comic book directly to potential buyers on auction websites, although it could be a longer process.

If you are still confused despite taking the steps above and you believe that your comic book might be a valuable one, there are third party grading services companies which provide grading services and certification for its customers.

About the Author:
One of the great sources to your comic books collecting activity is http:www.coollectors.com where you can buy, sell, exchange and catalog your comic books collection or simply review collections of other collectors. You can also become a member of the site growing community, connect with other similar collectors, exchange comic books and ideas.

A Batman Comic Book:

    

1917s Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty half dollar, referred to by collectors as a “Walker”, is a silver fifty cents or half dollar coin which was issued from 1916 to 1947 by the United States mint office. The coin known for its beautiful design, was designed by Adolph A. Weinman.  

The new half dollar came to life as a result of the decision taken in 1915 by the new mint director, Robert W. Woolley whom decided to replace the old barber coinage, dimes, quarters and half dollars dated back to 1892 and designed by Charles E. Barber, as he thought it was required to change the coins’ designs every twenty five years. Weinman was chosen in a competition conducted by the commission of fine arts to design the dime and half dollars.  

Adolph Weinman was born in Germany and immigrated to the US at the age of ten. He was trained with the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens where he worked on the famous Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar Double Eagle gold coin. Following Saint-Gaudens death Weinman continued his work shop and by 1915 became a  well-known sculpture in the US.

The observe of the coin includes a full length figure of liberty, the folds of the stars and stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride towards the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak a symbol of civil and military glory. The hands of the figure are outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty. Arrayed around the edge is the word “liberty”, and the motto “In god we trust” on the right of the Liberty.

The observe design is used today for the observe of the American Silver Eagle one ounce bullion coin.

The reverse of the coin includes an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, his wing unfolded, fearless in the spirit and conscious of power. Springing from a rift in the rock is a young mountain pine, symbolical of the United States of America. The words "United States of America" ring the edge above the eagle and below is the denomination "Half Dollar” and the motto "E pluribus Unum” ", meaning "Out of Many, One" on the left of the Eagle's breast.

 

The coin is 30.6 mm in diameter, weighs 12.50 grams and is made of .900 pure silver. It carries 0.3617 troy ounces of silver, about 1/3rd of a troy ounce.

 

The United States minted more than 485 million Walking Liberties from 1916 to 1947. Although the coins value is fifty cents, collectors would pay a few hundred dollars for the coin, depending on its grade and usage. For example, some issues are more rare such as 1921, 1938-D, 1941-S, 1916, 1916-S and 1917-D issues which receive higher prices. However, most series are relatively available in reasonable prices and collectors are usually able to complete the full sets of the sixty five dates.

 

About the Author:

One of the great sources to your coins collecting activity is http://

www.coollectors.com where you can buy, sell, exchange and catalog your coins

collection or simply review collections of other collectors. You can also become

a member of the sites growing collectors community, connect with other similar

collectors exchange coins and ideas.

 

 

      

1917s Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar

The Walking Liberty half dollar, referred to by collectors as a “Walker”, is a silver fifty cents or half dollar coin which was issued from 1916 to 1947 by the United States mint office. The coin known for its beautiful design, was designed by Adolph A. Weinman.  

The new half dollar came to life as a result of the decision taken in 1915 by the new mint director, Robert W. Woolley whom decided to replace the old barber coinage, dimes, quarters and half dollars dated back to 1892 and designed by Charles E. Barber, as he thought it was required to change the coins’ designs every twenty five years. Weinman was chosen in a competition conducted by the commission of fine arts to design the dime and half dollars.  

Adolph Weinman was born in Germany and immigrated to the US at the age of ten. He was trained with the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens where he worked on the famous Saint-Gaudens twenty dollar Double Eagle gold coin. Following Saint-Gaudens death Weinman continued his work shop and by 1915 became a  well-known sculpture in the US.

The observe of the coin includes a full length figure of liberty, the folds of the stars and stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride towards the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak a symbol of civil and military glory. The hands of the figure are outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty. Arrayed around the edge is the word “liberty”, and the motto “In god we trust” on the right of the Liberty.

The observe design is used today for the observe of the American Silver Eagle one ounce bullion coin.

The reverse of the coin includes an eagle perched high upon a mountain crag, his wing unfolded, fearless in the spirit and conscious of power. Springing from a rift in the rock is a young mountain pine, symbolical of the United States of America. The words "United States of America" ring the edge above the eagle and below is the denomination "Half Dollar” and the motto "E pluribus Unum” ", meaning "Out of Many, One" on the left of the Eagle's breast.

The coin is 30.6 mm in diameter, weighs 12.50 grams and is made of .900 pure silver. It carries 0.3617 troy ounces of silver, about 1/3rd of a troy ounce.

The United States minted more than 485 million Walking Liberties from 1916 to 1947. Although the coins value is fifty cents, collectors would pay a few hundred dollars for the coin, depending on its grade and usage. For example, some issues are more rare such as 1921, 1938-D, 1941-S, 1916, 1916-S and 1917-D issues which receive higher prices. However, most series are relatively available in reasonable prices and collectors are usually able to complete the full sets of the sixty five dates.

About the Author:

One of the great sources to your coins collecting activity is http:www.coollectors.com where you can buy, sell, exchange and catalog your coins collection or simply review collections of other collectors. You can also become a member of the site growing community, connect with other similar collectors, exchange coins and ideas.

A walking liberty coin:

 

 

      

Exciting News for Collectors!

Coollectors.com in conjunction with Producers of Modern Marvels and Biography and a major TV network are looking for Enthusiastic Collectors for a Documentary Series. For more information contact us at: community@coollectors.com   

Valuation of Autographs

An autograph usually refers to a person’s artistic signature in particularly the signature of a celebrity. The hobby of collecting autographs, also referred to as philography, can be a lot of fun and a source of lucrative profits too. In this article we will try to outline a few important factors in determining the value of an autograph.

The value of a certain autograph is as we always say at the end of day, the price which a specific buyer is willing to pay at a certain time.

However, there are a few key factors which can influence the value of an autograph such as its authenticity, condition, rarity and the identity of the signing figure.

In order to verify the autograph authenticity it is advised to check the credibility of the seller and if he belongs to one of the well-known organizations such as UACC, Manuscript Society, PADA, and IADA.

After you made sure that the seller is trustworthy, it is important to authenticate the autograph itself. Confirming the signature of the person and the circumstances of the signature’s acquisitions are the first steps.

In addition, autographs from serious sources usually come with certificates of authentications (COA) which are made to verify the authenticity of the signature.

When evaluating the COA it is important to make sure that it came from a notable company with a long tracking record.

The condition of the signature is also an important factor once determining its value. Tears, stains and other faults may decrease significantly the value of the autograph, while an autograph in a very good condition will be worth much more. However, the older and rarer the autograph may be, its value may increase. Thus, the combination of rarity and condition will be taken in consideration while determining its value. It is important to note that ink signatures usually receive higher prices than other methods of signatures such as pencil as they often fade quicker.

The identity of the person signing is also a very important factor in the evaluation process - how famous this person is, is he dead or alive and can this person produce more autographs. The object on which the signatures is placed can also influence the value - as interesting object with some historic importance or which lightens another side of the person signing could increase the value as well.

The following common terms are used by auction houses to describe the type of autographs which are placed for sale:

AD: Autograph Document (hand-written by the person to be collected, but not signed)

ADS: Autograph Document Signed (written and signed by same individual)

AL: Autograph Letter (hand-written by the person to be collected, but not signed)

ALS: Autograph Letter Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)

AMs: Autograph Manuscript (hand-written; such as the draft of a play, research paper or music sheet)

AMsS: Autograph Manuscript Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)

AMusQs: Autograph Musical Quotation Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)

AN: Autograph Note (no salutation or closing, usually shorter than a letter)

ANS: Autograph Note Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual)

AQS: Autograph Quote Signed (hand-written and signed by same individual; poem verse, sentence, or bar-of-music)

DS: Document signed (printed, or while hand-written by another, is signed by individual sought to be collected)

LS: Letter Signed (hand-written by someone else, but signed by the individual sought to be collected, frequently handwritten by secretaries before the advent of the typewriter)

PS: Photograph Signed or Postcard Signed

SP: Signed Photograph

TLS: Typed Letter Signed

TNS: Typed Note Signed

Folio: A printer's sheet of paper folded once to make two leaves, double quarto size or larger.

Octavo(8vo): A manuscript page about six-by-nine inches. (Originally determined by folding a printer's sheet of paper to form eight leaves.)

Quarto(4to): A manuscript page of about nine and one-half by twelve inches. (Originally determined by folding a printer's sheet of paper twice to form four leaves.)

About the Author:

One of the great sources to your autograph collecting activity is http://

www.coollectors.com where you can buy, sell, exchange and catalog your autographs

collection or simply review collections of other collectors. You can also become

a member of  the  sites growing collectors community, connect with other similar

collectors exchange autographs and ideas.

1991 Baltimore Orioles Team Autographed Baseball Brady Anderson Mike Flanagan Cal Ripken Jr & Sr.

New and Exciting Features @ Coollectors.com 

We are receiving many requests from our users for additional advanced features arising from their collecting needs. We are very happy to receive these comments as they help us improve the site and offer even more exciting features. Here are some of the new features: 

*Additional Serial Information for Stamps, Coins & Banknotes! 

*An improved Bulk Lister to List mass collections simultaneously!

*More than 50 languages support! 

We hope you enjoy these features and there are many more to come... 

If you have any suggestions and/or commments of additional features which you would need let us know at support@coollectors.com 

Today's Collector Focus: Starting Your Own Coin Collection: 

Collecting coins is not only a fun hobby but it could also bring a great satisfaction once completing a certain desired series of coins. Coins usually reflect the events of the time in which they are produced, and thus collecting coins can be also interesting historic wise. However, without planning ahead your collecting agenda you might find yourself frustrated for not reaching your collecting goals at the desired pace. If you are still a bit lost or puzzled on how to start your own coin collection, we advise you to make a few decisions before starting your collection. 

First it is important to decide what will be the budget that you would be willing to spend on this hobby. The price of coins varies according to their condition and rarity and setting up a budget in advanced will make your collecting activity a more effective one. 

Based on the budget you set, you can choose to focus on a certain coin collecting field. For example some coin collectors decide to focus on collecting coins only from their own country. Other collectors choose to collect certain coins chronologically by their years of production. This method is useful as many of the coins catalog and books are organized according to their year of production. For example, you can choose to collect a Lincoln cent from the first year it was minted. As many of the coins have different mint marks, you can also broaden your collection by adding each coin with its specific mark. 

Other options are to collect coins series with a significant design, marks or any other unique features. For example, you can choose to collect coins with a unique alloy such as gold, silver and copper. 

There are also collectors which focus on collecting coins with a specific subject (eagles for example) or from a certain periods such as medieval coins. Others focus on collecting coins which were minted by a certain ruler or other historically significant bureaucrat. 

There are many additional specific fields in the coin collecting activity. Many collectors collect coin with a certain print value (such as coins with a 1 denomination value) while others decide to collect a large quantity of a certain coin which can also be a decorative piece such a vase full of pennies. 

In determining the valuation of a certain coin the condition of the coin can influence its value significantly. While evaluating the coin there are a few subjective factors that could be taken in consideration such as the following: The aesthetic interest of the coin, dents on the rim, unsightly scratches or other blemishes on the surface of the coin, the luster of the coin, the toning of the coin, the level of detail retained. Any damage to the coin can substantially reduce its value. 

There is a list of a common acknowledge terms to describe the condition of a coin: 

Mint State (MS), Uncirculated (UNC), About/Almost Uncirculated (AU), Extremely Fine (XF or EF), Very Fine (VF), Fine (F), Very Good (VG), Good (G), About Good (AG), Fair (FA, FR), Poor (PR, PO).

The success of your coin collection activity depends both on your financial capability as well as the level of your desire to pursue this kind of hobby. With any budget and energy that you might choose to invest in your coin collecting activity, we are sure that you will find it a great source of enjoyment and satisfaction.

One of the great sources to your coin collecting activity is http://www.coollectors.com where you can buy, sell, exchange and catalog your coin collection or simply review collections of other collectors. You can also become a member of the sites growing collectors community, connect with other similar collectors exchange coins and ideas.