Finding Value of Old Coins

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Finding Value of Old Coins

Coins are a piece of us all. It is how we purchase and own things, a symbol of power. However, old coins become even more important, as both something almost priceless, as well as a piece of history.

Finding value of old coins is something that everyone should know how to do, from professionals to everyday people. You may have some incredibly valuable coins in your house and not even know it! Everyday, coins around the world are traded, making some people millions of dollars! So, be sure to use this article in finding the value of old coins.

The easiest way would have to be checking it online. Currently, there are many sites online that provide helpful information on determining the real value of old coins. For beginners, some sites categorize values by the coin type, date of issuance and the estimated value.

The basic idea is that there are a number of factors that determine old coin value. For one, the more scarce or rare the coin, the higher the value. So it does not follow that the older coins are much more expensive than newer ones.

The 1933 US$20 double eagle gold coin is the most expensive there is because there is only one of its kind, as compared to the thousands of Chinese coins dating back to the early centuries.
Values of Specific Common Coins

Now for some specifics. Here are the approximate values of some of the more commonly asked about coins. These are retail values. What a dealer will offer you is less, sometimes on the *really* common stuff, they don't even want it, as they have enough in stock to last 'til kingdom come.

1 cent pieces.

Indian Head Cents: 1859-1909 Average Indian head cents sell for around 75 cents.
Wheat cents: 1909-1958 These coins generally retail for 2c.
Memorial cents: 1959- Unless uncirculated, lunch money

5 cent pieces.

Liberty Nickels 1883-1912 Average coins sell for a dollar.
Buffalo nickels 1913-1938 Average dated coins sell for around 75 cents. Dateless buffalos go for around 15 cents.
Jefferson nickels 1938- all but a very few dates go for close to face value in circulated conditions. lunch money.

10 cent pieces

Barber dimes 1892-1916 Average coins sell for 1.25
Mercury dimes 1916-1945 Average coins sell for the price of silver, about 45-50 cents depending on the market.
Silver Roosevelt dimes 1946-1964 Virtually all circulated coins sell for the melt price of silver.
Clad Roosevelt dimes 1964-present lunch money unless uncirculated.

25 cent pieces

Barber Quarters 1892-1916 $3 in average condition.
Standing Liberty Quarters 1916-1930 $3 in average condition. dateless go for melt value, about $1.15
Silver Washington 1932-1964 Most are melt value coins $1.15 or so.
Clad Washington - lunch money unless unc.

50 cent pieces

Barber 1892-1915 $5 in average condition.
Walking Liberty 1916-1947 $3 in average condition
Franklin Half 1948-1963 $2.25 in average condition (varies with silver)
Silver Kennedy 1964 $2.25 in average condition (varies with silver)
40% Silver Kennedy 1965-1970 $0.70 "

Dollars

Morgan dollars 1878-1921 $7 in average condition
Peace dollars 1921-1935 $7 in average condition
Eisenhower dollars 1971-1978 $1.30
SBA dollars 1979-1981 1979's are all lunch money, the 80s and 81s are a slight premium

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