Old Coin

Individuals who possess old coins, and those who collect them, can evaluate their market value by looking at four factors. The first factor is market demand. Like other items, old coins go in and out of fashion with buyers, and a relatively common coin enjoying current popularity may be worth more than a rarer, but less collectible, item. Popularity can be gauged by surfing the Internet, or consulting with dealers and hobbyists as to what types of old coins are garnering the most current interest. The second factor to consider is relative rarity within a series. Most coin series (that is, the date and mint combinations over the years a coin was issued) contain key dates. Coins from key dates are rarer than other coins in that series, and collectors are willing to pay moe for them than coins from more common dates. A number of internet sites list key dates, and relative pricing for coins within a series. The third factor to consider is condition. Circulated coins exhibit wear and tear over time. As a rough rule, the fewer blemishes and imperfections a coin exhibits on its surface, the higher its value. This is not always the case, but the less the coin shows visible signs of wear, the more likely it is to sell at the higher range of prices for that coin. Uncirculated coins, also known as mint state coins, have not been subjected to the wear and tear of circulation, but are still graded for their overall condition. Higher grade mint state coins command higher prices. Coins can be graded and certified by reputable third party grading services.