FAQ & Coin References
Below is a list of common questiions and answers to help guide you.
We buy whatever coins our customer’s are willing to buy. Most of our customer’s are looking for gold, silver and rare coins that are not common. We buy 90% silver (1964 & older) dimes and quarters, 1969 and older half dollars, gold & silver bullion, Morgan and Peace dollars and much more. Keep in mind, whatever we buy has to be something someone is willing to buy from us.
Throughout history people NEVER threw away money. That is why there are TONS of old coins around. If you bought it at a reputable coin shop years ago for $300 it should be a decent value. If you happened across it in your change drawer it most likely isn’t.
Foreign coins and paper monies are extremely common and are generally not valuable. Everyone has a relative who was in a war or traveled and brought some back. Google can help you find the content of the coins to see if they have some silver or gold content but most are common. Many foreign countries have de-valued their currency at some point in time. So even most high denominational (even million, billion and trillion dollar bills) can be worth little to nothing.
Error coins can be valuable. There are many factors that contribute to their value. How obvious and drastic the error is (a cent struck on a dime planchet for instance). Most errors however are minor and fairly common. Off-center strikes, clips and other minor errors can be $2 to $20 coins depending.
Common ways are to use a Redbook, Greysheet or search online. Redbooks are $12-$15 and most prices are retail so tend to be on the high side. Greysheet is a subscription that most dealers use. It is fairly accurate. The Internet is tricky. If you use Ebay be sure to click on ‘completed items’ so you know what the coin has actually sold for. Remember that Ebay-Paypal take roughly 10% and add a few dollars for shipping and you can get a rough idea of a value. NGC Coin and PCGS Coinfacts are good resources but be careful to compare the same date, mint mark, condition and whether it is certified or not. Comparing apples to oranges will not get you a true value and can be frustrating.
There are MANY factors that make a coin valuable. Condition, Rarity, Mintage & content are the main factors.
Quick Reference for Types of Coins:
Presidential, Sacajawea Dollars are worth $1 (face value) Proof dollar sets can be worth a bit more. State quarters are the same, worth face value (25c) with proof and silver proof sets worth a bit more.
Eisenhower Dollars are sold for $1.25. Barely over face value. (No silver content).
Kennedy Half Dollars 1971 and newer are face value (50 cents) yes even the bi-centennial 1776-1976 ones.
Quarters and Dimes 1965 and newer are worth face value. Yes, even the bi-centennial ones.
Cents 1959 and newer are also spenders or ‘take-to-the-bank’ (TTTB) items.
Nickels 1939 and newer are mostly worth a nickel. During WWII some years are 35% silver (worth just under $1 each)
Common but slightly better...
Proof; Mint Sets are everywhere, especially 1965-current and generally range from $3-$10. Early sets (1964; older) get higher as you go older. 1957-1964 proof sets are $15-$20 with mint sets being higher. Older ones contact us.
Wheat cents, in general, are worth 2-3 cents each except for the few key 1909s, 09-vdb, 09-s-vdb, 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s, 14s, 14d, 22d, 24d, 31s (and no, the 1943 steel cents are not rare). And by better dates, some are only worth $3-$5. (buy a red book for more details).
Indian Head Cents are generally under $1 each except for the better dates (1867-1878) $3 to $500 (1877).
Buffalo Nickels are similar to wheat cents, very common (generally 25-50 cents each) there are some better dates but again, condition and rarity are what determines the value.
1942-1945 Jefferson Nickels with a mint mark of P, D or S on the back above Monticello are silver war nickels (worth 75 cents to $1 each).
1965-1970 Kennedy Half Dollars are 40% silver ($1.50 to $3 each) depending on current silver prices.
The good stuff...
- 90% Silver Half Dollars, Quarters; Dimes 1964; older are worth several times face value. Add it up like change and take it times $10-$12. A pile of that adds up pretty fast.
- Morgan; Peace Silver Dollars are generally common from 1878 to 1935. Ranging from $15 to $30. That being said, there are some better dates & mintmarks. Buy a red book or bring them in.
Type Coins (Large Cents, Two; Three Cent Pieces, Shield Nickels, Early Quarters; Halves, etc are individually valued. One can be $1 while another is $500 or more. It depends on rarity and condition. Contact us and we can give you a quote.
Gold Coins – Just call us. It is way too complicated to explain that here. Or better yet check out ‘I’m a Buyer’ for current prices.
Dig further – Visit www.pcgscoinfacts.com to research rarities.
In today's world it's hard to know who you can trust with Selling or Buying Gold or Silver.
Useful Links
