John Ausiman

I have sold gold and silver for a large, reputable precious metals dealer in the midwest but am now retired. My goal is to share my knowledge of coins with individuals and potential investors so they can become educated buyers and sellers of these popular types of precious metals. The first books I have authored concentrate on legal tender silver coins, namely 90 percent silver U.S. coins and 80 percent silver Canadian coins. There are a few important reasons I favor these types of silver investments ... 1. These coins are still recognized as legal tender by their issuing governments. In the event that economic times get tough, they will be worth at least their face value (but they are worth multiples of that now). This can prove useful in barter situations if that becomes necessary. 2. Obviously, no more of these coins are being minted. The last U.S. 90 percent silver coins minted for circulation were dated 1964, with 80 percent Canadian coins being halted in 1968. If and when silver "takes off" again, the various government and private mints will ramp up production of the "other" coins and bars to meet customer demand. But the number of legal tender silver coins can not increase and will most likely continue to decrease as unsold coin inventories are melted down for industrial purposes - the largest segment of silver users. 3.Counterfeiters are producing some very good "fake" coins. Unlike some other silver products, "junk" silver coins are not likely targets of counterfeiters who like to concentrate on producing those coins and bars having greater value such as Silver Eagles and key date Morgan dollars. So how expensive are these silver coins, what should you be paying for them and which coins are more valuable than others? My books give you guidance and practical information on the most popular ones. Here is a helpful hint: each $1.00 in face value of U.S. circulated pre-1965 dimes, quarters and half dollars is considered to contain .715 troy ounces of silver; each circulated Peace (1921-1928, 1934-1935) and Morgan (1878-1904, 1921) dollars are considered to contain .765 troy ounces of silver. By adding the total amount of silver contained in the coins you are buying or selling then multiplying that by the current silver spot price, you will get an approximate value of the silver contained in these coins. That gives you a good start. At the present time, it is still possible to find a good supply of U.S. 90% silver coins (and to a lesser extent, 80% silver Canadian coins) at reasonable prices. But if silver starts to head up to much higher levels as some are predicting, there are enough savvy individuals around that will quickly snap up available supplies. By the time others catch on as to how valuable these coins can be, they will be gone, gone, GONE. I want you to be in the savvy individual group and NOT be shut out from owning these historic legal tender silver coins. Take a look at my books, preview the first several pages for free and see if they are "right" for you. I have written them especially for people who are interested in having and enjoying these historic and potentially valuable coins. People like you.