historical coin in coin collection

Understanding What Coins are Valuable

Coin collecting can be really fun, and a great way to introduce a new hobby to yourself or your child. However, despite it being a hobby and it not being thought of as a consistent source of income; naturally, collectors want to know what coins are valuable in their collection. This can be either out of curiosity, or because you’ve piqued an interest in what coins are worth for purposes of investment.

Whatever your reason for collecting, your first step is to start is by figuring out exactly what type of coins you have, and take a close look at their condition. You’re then able to reference this information against the print value and online lists by using advanced, modern-day, coin collecting software. Another great resource for pricing historical US coins is the NGC price guide, which is a free resource for collectors.

Not all old coins are worth a lot of money. Take for instance 1935, 1944, or 1953 pennies. If you don’t already know, you will come to learn that these coins are only worth around 5 or maybe 10 cents. We know! It’s a complete bummer to find out that regardless of the amount of history they contain, they’re still less than a modern-day postage stamp – but don’t lose hope! 

You have to bear in mind that not every old penny is worth just a few cents! Take a look at the beautiful 1909-S V.D.B cent. This is worth anywhere between $750 to $2500 (based on condition). Why is it so expensive you ask? That’s due to only 484,000 being made, and millions wanting to own it. So just remember that part of the fun in collecting coins is weeding through the common coins to find the true gems.

 

What Is My Coin Worth? – A Guide In Finding Out What Coins are Worth

silver eagles in hand

The answer to the million-dollar question (or 5 cent question) ‘’what is my coin worth’’ is only a few steps away! Follow our step by step guide to determine what coins are worth and what coins are valuable – here we go:

 

Do Your Research

The first step in finding out what coins are worth is to do your research. On a very basic level, you’ll need to record the coin’s origin and date. Modern coins will include a date of issue printed on the front or back of the coin along with the country of origin.

Some will also have some helpful information in determining what coins are valuable. Something called a mint mark, which is a tiny letter printed somewhere on the coin that indicates where it was minted.

If the information printed is in a language you can’t understand, check out Stackvestors coin collecting software. You can use it as a reference book which includes images to help you match your coin to find out. It can also be used to help you in determining how old coins without printed dates are. If you’re unable to find the coin, make sure to try and figure out the general area – things like Sinosphere, Islamic Countries, Core African, etc.

 

Inspect The Coin to Determine Its Condition

The value of coins is massively affected by their condition. Coins that are of higher quality are generally more valuable than ones that are dirty or blemished.

A few more things to note down:

  • Coins that were never used are known as uncirculated.
  • Coins are rated from “mint” (perfect) condition, all the way down to “poor” (dirty or damaged).

Something to bear in mind is that if you think you might have a coin that’s of value or rare, do not by any means attempt to clean it yourself. The best thing to do is to take it to an expert to get it cleaned, without potentially damaging it and lowering its value. If a coin is severely damaged, the value might just be of the metal itself.

 

Use Coin Collecting Software to Determine Value

When you use a coin collecting software like Stackvestor, you have access to a digital representation of your physical stack. By using our coin collecting software, you’ll have your very own vault that can hold any historical US coins, as well as gold and silver bullion.

It also contains valuable information about your stack. Use Stackvestors coin collecting software to find out how much profit you’ve made since purchasing each item, store photos of your stack, add items to your wishlist, and even receive alerts when a coin reaches your target selling price.

 

Fun & Educational – Research the Coins Story!

Winding back the clocks and living in history while you read about all of the amazing events that went on can be something extremely rewarding. Not only is it a great read, but you’re also boosting your knowledge as it brings you one step closer to determining what coins are worth.

Take a ride through time as you read about artifacts left behind by history, and use your critical eye to further understand what went on. Find out the who, what, where, and when of the coins you love and regularly collect.

 

Bonus! – Why Not Visit a Numismatics Trade Show?

coin collecting show

If you’re somebody who’s very social and enjoys meeting new people who share the same interests – why don’t you find out if there are any conventions in your area?

Coin enthusiasts are known for holding conventions on a regular basis. During these conventions, sellers can display their collections for potentially interested buyers. This also works vice versa where dealers may be interested in buying coins from people who attend.

Whether you’re interested in selling your coins or not, this is a great opportunity to learn, meet new people, and determine what coins are worth in your collection.