Great Uncle's Coins

Hi and welcome to the forum.

What you have could be worth a $100 or a couple of thousand.

It's good that you want to keep the coins

Since you are wanting to keep them, you should try and learn more about them. This would involve buying a " RedBook".

The US Mint only sells the current year proof sets. For previous years you have to buy them in the secondary market (dealer, ebay or a member here)

Are the half dollars all silver? If so then melt value alone is over $7/each or $2.50/each if 40% silver, so right there so that means you may have over $1400 in melt value based on 200 coins. If they're not all silver, the non-silver coins are likely worth close to face value unless they are proofs.

Silver dollars have a melt value of over $15/each, so right there you are looking at $1500+ just in silver value.

With everything else you have listed, you are well on your way to $2K plus value just in silver content. Sounds like you picked up a nice little collection.

PP I dont think he wants to sell them

You're looking at a collection of fairly substantial value, depending on the condition of the coins. Values are, of course, directly related to wear condition - that 1909S-VDB (which you obviously already know about) is worth at least a couple thousand dollars itself if it's never seen circulation. The 1932 quarters, especially the Denver mint example if it's there, carry significant value. Among the rolls of cents, if one happens to be 1955, it could contain a certain error coin which is worth a few thousand dollars if Uncirculated. The condition of the silver dollars, and the dates, could add big numbers to the total.

Knowledge is the key to all of this. Yes, a safe deposit box is justified; if you keep it at home, you definitely want insurance for it, as your homeowner's insurance will not likely cover it. There's no way to estimate the total value based on what we know so far; it could be a small number into 4 figures, or a rather....large number.

Either way, you need an accurate accounting of the exact contents. From that, you can isolate the ones which are possibly worth significant premiums, and study their condition to determine grade and actual value. There are people here who have expertise in all of the types you're discussing, and plenty of motivation to help.

Regarding the Mint Sets, you cannot get much for back dates from the Mint but most are readily available on the secondary market. Again, since you've done us the favor of joining our community, you can expect honest and accurate help in return. Please ask.

Edit: As I research your Profile, could I possibly assume that accurate pics of some of these coins wouldn't be a problem?

Nice great uncle. Your are sitting on a treasure chest.
First thing you must decide if you want to start collecting, if not, you may want to sell off a portion of the coins and keep some for sentimental value. Either way, you'll want to get a safe or sign up for a safety deposit box.

Yes, it deserves a safe deposit box. I wouldn't be surprised if the collection is worth $10,000.

minimum, btw

Photoeric21: All very good suggestions. Kind of mind boggling to have to learn about each group of coins. You've came to the right area to learn at no charge. I would start with one denomination and see what potential coins you may have. Some of the rolls of BU coins never opened may contain hidden treasures as they might be containing BU coins that some collectors would pay greatly for. Other key dates coins mentioned may be very valuable. A 1914-D Cent is worth a great deal more than it would appear even in lower conditions. Take your time with them and ask questions/search for items covered in threads here for more information on a certain year/type/variety. There is such a large area to cover. I guessing that after a short time you will come to appreciate what your Great Uncle did about his collection. Something that has kept most of us coin addicts hooked for many years and will for many more. So look, listen and learn and you will be glad you received not a coin collection, but a new way of life that your uncle started.