L & C  New Coins

Jeff Garrett

Jeff Garrett, founder of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, is considered one of the nation’s top experts in U.S. coinage — and knowledge lies at the foundation of Jeff’s numismatic career. With more than 35 years of experience, he is one of the top experts in numismatics. The “experts’ expert,” Jeff has personally bought and sold nearly every U.S. coin ever issued. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t call on Jeff Garrett for numismatic advice. This includes many of the nation’s largest coin dealers, publishers, museums, and institutions. In addition to owning and operating Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Jeff Garrett is a major shareholder in Sarasota Rare Coin Galleries. His combined annual sales in rare coins and precious metals — between Mid-American in Kentucky and Sarasota Rare Coin Galleries in Florida — total more than $25 million. Jeff Garrett has authored many of today’s most popular numismatic books, including Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795–1933: Circulating, Proof, Commemorative, and Pattern Issues; 100 Greatest U.S. Coins; and United States Coinage: A Study By Type. He is also the price editor for The Official Redbook: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Jeff was also one of the original coin graders for the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). He is today considered one of the country’s best coin graders and was the winner of the 2005 PCGS World Series of Grading. Today, he serves as a consultant to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), the world’s largest coin grading company. Jeff plays an important role at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Department and serves as a consultant to the museum on funding, exhibits, conservation, and research. Thanks to the efforts of Jeff and many others, rare U.S. coins are once again on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History. Jeff has been a member of the Professional Numismatic Guild (PNG) since 1982 and has recently served as president of the organization. He has also served as the ANA President and as a member of the ANA Board of Governors.
233 POSTS

Recent Articles by this Author

2023 Big Five - Elephant Gold Coin - South Africa. Image: NGC / CoinWeek.

Combining Numismatics With Travel: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   Each year, my family tries to travel abroad to escape from our normal routine and spend...
A collector shares a 1933 Double Eagle. Image: Adobe Stock / CoinWeek.

Sharing Your Coin Collection: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   One of the highlights of the recently completed 2024 ANA World’s Fair of Money was the...
1839 Liberty Head Eagle Proof. Image: Heritage Auctions / CoinWeek.

U.S. Gold Proof – The Caviar of Numismatics: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   My company has recently been working on the sale of a magnificent collection of Proof United...
Image: Adobe Stock / CoinWeek.

Fake News and Numismatic Misinformation: Jeff Garrett

Collectors should stay suspicious of get-rich-quick coins and use reliable information from experts   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   My morning ritual includes...
NGC Summer Coin Party.

The Summer Months of the Rare Coin Business: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   The summer months are traditionally the slowest for the rare coin business. The few major shows...
1976-S Washington Quarter in Proof. Image: NGC / CoinWeek.

Collecting the Coins of the United States’ Birthday: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   On July 4, 1826, there were parades, fireworks and speeches around the country to celebrate the...
NGC Gold Double Eagles.

Generic Gold Premiums Fall to Historic Lows, Creating Opportunities: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   As gold prices surged to record levels in the last month or so, the value of...
1856 Flying Eagle Cent. Image: David Lawrence Rare Coin.

The Coin That Inspired America’s Modern Coin Collecting: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   United States Large Cents were first produced in 1793 and continued nearly uninterrupted until 1857. The...
United States Postal Service Priority Mail Boxes. Image: Adobe Stock.

Shipping and Receiving Rare Coins: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   The internet has vastly expanded the reach and scope of the rare coin business. You can...
Artistic interpretation of a 1922 Lincoln Cent. Image: CoinWeek.

The 1922 Lincoln Cent and Its Varieties

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   Before 1922, the United States Mint struck huge numbers of Lincoln Cents each year. Production peaked...
2024 Red Book

The Red Book Changes Hands: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ......   About two weeks ago, the numismatic world was stunned to hear the announcement of the sale...
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coins.

A Golden Opportunity for U.S. Gold Coins: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ......   In the last few weeks, gold has finally started to move in a positive direction as...
1825 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Image: NGC / Adobe Stock.

Perfectly Circulated Coins: Jeff Garrett

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ...... Much attention in numismatics is focused on quality. One of the most common pieces of wisdom...
Jeff Garrett: Why Rare Coin Security Is So Important

Jeff Garrett: Why Rare Coin Security Is So Important

Whether a dealer or collector, here are some tips and suggestions for protecting your rare coins   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ...... The...
Jeff Garrett: Great Stories Make Coins Great

Jeff Garrett: Great Stories Make Coins Great

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ...... Shortly after finding out that I am a rare coin dealer, new acquaintances will often begin...
How do interest rate hikes impact the rare coin market? Image: Adobe Stock / CoinWeek.

Jeff Garrett: Rising Interest Rates and the Rare Coin Market

The effects of higher costs for borrowing money are rippling through the numismatic marketplace   By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... During the day,...
Jeff Garrett: Tips on How to Collect Capped Bust Half Dollars

Tips on How to Collect Capped Bust Half Dollars: Jeff Garrett

The early silver series can be rewarding, regardless of whether you collect by variety   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ......   When I wrote...
Jeff Garrett: Becoming a Professional Numismatist. Image: Adobe Stock.

Jeff Garrett: Becoming a Professional Numismatist

If you want to work with coins for a living, here are some ideas on where to start   By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty...

Jeff Garrett: Buying the 1913 Liberty Nickel

One does not quickly forget placing a multi-million-dollar winning bid on one of the rarest US coins   By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)...

Jeff Garrett: Tips for Cherrypicking by Coin Variety

Jeff Garrett shares suggestions on how to tackle collecting die varieties   By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... One of the most highly anticipated...