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Max Hockley
Numismatics and Precious Metals Expert
Education
- Master's in Business Administration, Emory University
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Co-authored Articles (32)
How to Tell If a $100 Dollar Bill Is Real (Old & New Bills)
Numismatics expert Max Hockley outlines key security features for $100 billsConsidering there's an estimated $70-$200 ''million'' in counterfeit bills circulating in the U.S., learning how to spot a fake 100-dollar bill ...
25 Most Valuable Dollar Coins (With Expert Insights)
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains the most valuable categories of dollar coinsThe United States produced dollar coins off and on between 1794 and 2012, and these eye-catching coins are a must-have in any coin colle...
How to
Tell Gold from Brass
Numismatics and precious metals expert Max Hockley explains the best ways to distinguish gold from brassGold and brass are both shiny, yellow metals. Telling them apart can be difficult for someone who has no experience ...
How to Clean Coins without Reducing Their Value
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains when to clean dirty coins and when to leave them beDo you want to make dull or dirty coins shine like they’re brand new again? Before you start scrubbing, there are a few importa...
How to
Test Gold at Home
Test an item of gold for authenticity using everyday tools Gold is a precious metal that comes in a variety of colors and different levels of fineness. The value of a piece of jewelry or another object will depend greatl...
How to Roll Coins & Know How Much Change You Have
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains how many quarters, pennies & dimes go in a rollRolling coins is a good way to keep track of how much money you have, and often a prerequisite for depositing your coins in a bank. I...
How to Identify Gold Ore Rocks: Tests, Characteristics, & Types
Numismastics and precious metals expert Max Hockley explains how to determine if you’ve struck gold If you’re out prospecting, you want to be sure what you’re taking home is the real stuff—gold ore. The best way ...
5 Easy Ways to Tell If a 1965 Quarter Is Silver
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains why this coin is rare & how to spot oneWondering how you can strike gold just by sorting through your pocket change? While 1965 silver quarters are rare, they're worth thousands of...
What is a Star Note? And Is It Valuable?
Decoding the star on some U.S. currency If you flip through a wad of paper bills, there’s a slight chance one of those bills may be marked with a small star after its serial number. This is called a star note, or repla...
How to Clean Your Gold Jewelry Safely & Effectively
Keep your gold jewelry bright and shiny with these expert tipsIf you notice your gold jewelry pieces are starting to look dull or dingy, it may be time to give them a thorough cleaning. A mixture of dish soap and warm wa...
The Owl & Other Dollar Bill Hidden Images Explained
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains whether the owl on the dollar bill means somethingThe American $1 bill is rich with symbolism, but there's one symbol that most people haven't heard of that is also the most myster...
A Simple Guide to Cleaning Old Coins Without Damaging Them
Coin collector Max Hockley explains when it’s acceptable to clean old coinsIf your old coins are looking a bit dull or dirty, you may be tempted to clean them. However, cleaning coins can greatly decrease their value, ...
1944 Steel Penny Value: What Is Your Coin Worth?
Numismatics and precious metals expert Max Hockley explains why these old coins are so rare (and valuable)1944 steel pennies are among the rarest coins in US currency. If you find a real one, you can usually sell it for ...
Are $2 Bills Rare Now? Here's Whether You Should Keep Them
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains whether $2 bills are rare and how to get themYou may never have seen a $2 bill in person, but are they really all that rare? The answer is no, but it's also not as common as other ...
How to
Clean Quarters
Sometimes, quarters become so dirty that they are just too gross and disgusting to handle. As such, some people find it necessary to clean them, especially if they wish to use them for a craft project. Other people may j...
Expert Tips for Cleaning Copper Coins (Without Damaging Them)
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains when you should (or shouldn’t) clean coins and how to do it safelyWhether you have a whole collection of copper coins or you just found a cool-looking penny on the street, you mi...
Double Die Penny: How to Spot One (& What It's Worth)
Numismatics expert Max Hockley explains the double die error Have you ever found a penny that looks like it's been stamped twice? You may have stumbled on a rare (and possibly valuable) double die coin! A double die is a...
How to Spot Fake Gold Quickly & Easily
Plus, learn how to buy gold without getting scammed The value of gold constantly changes, which results in the precious metal being more susceptible to counterfeiting. It’s important to know how to spot fake gold to en...
How to
Find Silver Half Dollars
Depending on when the coins were minted, silver half dollars can be a valuable investment. If you're a coin collector interested in finding the right half dollars, you may not know where to look and what coins are valuab...
How to
Detect Counterfeit Trade Dollars
Counterfeit Trade Dollars have pretty much flooded the market over the past decade. If you want to make sure you buy a real coin, the surest route is to buy a Trade Dollar that's been authenticated and graded by PCGS, NG...
