The first thing I have to say is that you must look at coins as works of art. If they do not look good to you, if they do not catch your eye, do not buy them. Do not buy them even if they are certified by a third party. Because if you don't like the look of them, probably no one else will, which should tell you that you will have a hard time selling them. Do not buy any coin that is damaged--scratched, full of digs, bent, or mutilated in any way. Sometimes a light cleaning is okay, as long as the coin looks good to you. Do not buy polished coins at all. What you should be looking for are coins that are in good condition, preferably with luster, and/or with some attractive toning. Lighter toning is always preferred, especially in shades of green and blue. This can add value to a coin because it gives the coin better 'eye-appeal'. Do not buy even a rare coin if there is something about it you don't like, dull perhaps, or lacking in any eye-appeal. Think about it the way you would a car, if you wish. Who wants an ugly car?

   One last thing: you should learn how to grade your coins and not rely on other people to do it for you. Even if you buy a coin which has been graded by a third party, remember that you are buying the coin and not the holder. You must think yourself that the coin is in the grade that has been assigned and the coin MUST have eye-appeal. Remember that it is more the grade of a coin and its eye-appeal that give it value as opposed, yes, to rarity. I am saying that you are better off in my opinion with a common coin in a high grade with tremendous eye-appeal than you are with a rare coin in a low grade that you wouldn't look at twice.