Coin grading

Coin grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a coin, one of the key factors in determining its value. A coin's grade is generally determined by five criteria: strike, preservation, luster, color, and attractiveness. Several grading systems have been developed. Certification services professionally grade coins for tiered fees.

Overview

A "grade" measures a coin's appearance. There are generally five main components which determine a coin's grade: strike, surface preservation, luster, coloration and eye appeal. Grading is subjective and even experts can disagree about the grade of a given coin.

History

U.S. coin grading has evolved over the years to a system of finer and finer grade distinctions. Originally, there were only two grades, new and used. This changed to the letter grading system beginning with the lowest grade – Basal State (also Poor (PO)), then continuing Fair (Fr), About or Almost Good (AG), Good (G), Very Good (VG), Fine (F), Very Fine (VF), Extremely Fine (EF), Almost or About Uncirculated (AU), Uncirculated (Unc) and up to Brilliant Uncirculated (BU). Gem Uncirculated was roughly equivalent in usage to BU at that time. Numerical grades from 1 to 70 now accompany the verbal grades.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Christian denominational church and an international charitable organization structured in a quasi-military fashion. The organization reports a worldwide membership of over 1.5 million, consisting of soldiers, officers and adherents known as Salvationists. Its founders Catherine and William Booth sought to bring salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their "physical and spiritual needs". It is present in 127 countries, running charity shops, operating shelters for the homeless, and providing personal hygiene products and disaster relief and humanitarian aid to developing countries.

The theology of the Salvation Army is derived from that of Methodism although it is distinctive in institution and practice. The Army's doctrine is typical of evangelical Protestant denominations. The Army's purposes are "the advancement of the Christian religion… of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole."

Johnny Kelly

Johnny Kelly (born March 9, 1968) is an American drummer, best known as the former drummer for the gothic metal band Type O Negative from Brooklyn, New York. He is the current drummer for the bands Danzig, A Pale Horse Named Death, and Kill Devil Hill.

He joined Type O Negative in 1994 to replace Sal Abruscato. He had previously been the band's drum tech.

He currently endorses Gretsch Drums, Sabian cymbals, Easton Ahead drumsticks and Evans drum heads. Contributing to his long music history, he lent his drumming skill to the song Blood and Flames from Roadrunner United: The All Star Sessions.

Kelly served as a fill-in drummer for heavy metal band Pist.On on an American tour while their drummer, Jeff McManus, dealt with chronic muscle pain.

Kelly has toured with Danzig since 2002, and recorded drums for the band's Deth Red Sabaoth album.

Kelly is also the drummer for heavy metal band Seventh Void with fellow Type O Negative member Kenny Hickey. He also plays drums in a Led Zeppelin tribute band called Earl's Court.

The Salvation (Skyzoo album)

The Salvation is the debut album of Brooklyn rapper Skyzoo. The album was released on September 29, 2009, via Jamla Records, founded by 9th Wonder, which is a sub-label of Duck Down Records. Upon release Skyzoo described it as autobiographical and his most personal work. Primarily featuring Skyzoo's lyrics, among the contributing producers are Best Kept Secret, 9th Wonder, Nottz, Just Blaze, Illmind, Needlz and Black Milk. It charted on various Billboard charts, reaching No. 126 on the Billboard 200, No. 4 on the Top Heatseekers, and No. 14 on the Tastemaker Albums chart. The album was acclaimed. AllMusic gave it a positive review and a rating of 4/5, while XXL gave it 4/5.

Production and themes

The Brooklyn-raised emcee stated that he had been planning this album since he was 9 years old.The Salvation provides an intricate view into Skyzoo's life and experiences. The diverse range of production and the autobiographical nature is in contrast to his previous releases, with Skyzoo describing it at the time as his most personal work. A tactic taken by Skyzoo to emphasize the personal aspect of The Salvation was to not load the album up with features from other rappers, explaining that "the moment you pick up a pen or start rhyming as a kid, all you think about is getting an album out. This album isn't exactly the way I planned it out at 9-years-old, but it tells my story. With that being said, no one can help tell my story better than me. The Salvation is about me."

Production company

A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.

Tasks and functions

The production company may be directly responsible for fundraising for the production or may accomplish this through a parent company, partner, or private investor. It handles budgeting, scheduling, scripting, the supply with talent and resources, the organization of staff, the production itself, post-production, distribution, and marketing.

Production companies are often either owned or under contract with a media conglomerate, film studio, entertainment company, or Motion Picture Company, who act as the production company's partner or parent company. This has become known as the "studio system". They can also be mainstream, independent (see Lucasfilms), or completely independent (see Lionsgate). In the case of TV, a TV production company would serve under a television network. Production companies can work together in co-productions.