Legend Numismatics

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.
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Recent Articles by this Author

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

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

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...
American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money.

Jeff Garrett: ANA World’s Fair of Money – America’s Greatest Coin Show

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... In the next few weeks, everyone in my company will be making plans for the upcoming...
Jeff Garrett: Collecting Twenty Cent Pieces (1875-1878)

Jeff Garrett: Collecting Twenty Cent Pieces (1875-1878)

Considering a new series to collect? Here is a brief guide to collecting US Twenty Cent pieces, an intriguing "oddball" denomination   By Jeff Garrett for...
The Case for Key Date Coins. Image: CoinWeek.

Jeff Garrett: The Case for “Key Date” Coins

When deciding which rare coins to collect, don't automatically write off "Key Date" issues of coins, but you'll need a plan   By Jeff Garrett for...
Jeff Garrett: Becoming a Professional Coin Dealer.

Jeff Garrett: Becoming a Professional Coin Dealer

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... Recruiting and training young people in the rare coin business has been a focus within numismatics...
2023-S Morgan Dollar. Image: U.S. Mint / CoinWeek.

Jeff Garrett: When Modern Coin Mintage Figures Matter

The 2023 Morgan and Peace Dollars will be closely watched because they are popular and being produced in limited numbers   By Jeff Garrett for NGC...

Jeff Garrett: The Importance of Coin Shows

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... Based on many conversations and observations in the last several months, the premise of the title...
Jeff Garrett: Collecting Silver Dollar Varieties. Image: NGC/ CoinWeek.

Jeff Garrett: Collecting Silver Dollar Varieties

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... Collecting United States coins by die variety has its origins in early copper coinage. Some of...
Jeff Garrett: The Box of Twenty Approach to Coin Collecting

Jeff Garrett: The Box of Twenty Approach to Coin Collecting

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... One of the greatest innovations in the history of the hobby was the introduction of coin...

Jeff Garrett: Pricing Hard-to-Price Coins

By Jeff Garrett for NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) ...... Hardly a day goes by that a collector or dealer does not call me to consult...

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