Help In Determining Value

1. What kind of coin do you have.
Determine what type of coin and denomination. What metal is the coin made out of.

2. What year the coin was minted.
This is easy for coins minted in past couple of hundred years.

3. Where was the coin minted.
Usually the coin will have a small letter indicating where the coin was minted. Different coins will have the mark in different places.

These are always the first questions that you must ask. Then comes the hard part.

4. What condition is the coin in.
While grading of coins is subjective, it is still one of the most important factors in determining price. Learning to grade takes many years of practice. Grading books with photos will help you.

5. Does the coin still exhibit its original condition.
Even uncirculated coins will have different values depending on their condition. Does your coin have toning? Is it tarnished?

6. Eye Appeal
This is an important aspect to coins. Coins are kind of judged like diamonds. You want a coin that will jump out at you. Sharpness in strike, that reflects light without interruption.

7. Has your coin been cleaned.
Cleaning is not an accepted practice in coin collecting. Whether the coin was cleaned today or one hundred years ago, it will effect the price. Most seasoned collectors and dealers can spot cleaning with relative ease. Cleaning takes away the original luster of the coin. Never clean your coins.

8. Has the coin been damaged.
This is easy to spot. Large scratches, dings, bent, and altered coins are very rarely worth anything.

These are the most important factors in determining value. There are a few others, but they have less impact on price.

They would include:

1. Is your coin a highly collected series.
Some coins are more actively traded than others.

2. Fingerprints
Fingerprints will show up on coins after a little time. The oils in your hands leave their mark on the coins surfaces that never come off. Coins should be held by their edge.

3. Eye Appeal
This works in both the important and less important factors of value. On the lower end, does the coin look good for the grade.


Well these things are a good base line to help you begin to determine value.

Seasoned collectors and dealers will usually offer to assist you in your quest to determine value.