Trying to finish a Series

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

I collect all types of coins and I want to have an entire set of each type. Since I mostly collect out of pocket it is difficult to find everyone. Grade is not an issue for me, I don't care if the coin is in good condition or mint state as long as it fills a hole in my collection.

It is frustrating when I look at my Lincoln wheaties and see I was missing common dates in the 1950's. I still have no 1954 pennies. Sometimes I buy a lot, as in a dealer's "lot", even if they contain repeats.

So I recently purchased, from eBay, these 8 coins for $7.37 shipping and handling included.

Click on the images for a larger image.

Here's the stats for each coin...
Year/Type: 1 cent 1953
Mintages: 256,755,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.10


Year/Type: 1 cent 1953D
Mintages: 700,515,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.10

Year/Type: 1 cent 1952
Mintages: 186,775,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.10


Year/Type: 1 cent 1952S
Mintages: 137,800,004
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.15

Year/Type: 1 cent 1951
Mintages: 284,576,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.10

Click on the images for a larger image.

Year/Type: 1 cent 1951S
Mintages: 136,010,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.25

Year/Type: 1 cent 1953
Mintages: 256,755,000
Metal: 95% copper 5% tin and zinc
Value: VF-20 $0.10


Year/Type: 25 cents 1938
Mintages: 9,472,000
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: G-4 $6.66

Year/Type: 25 cents 1964
Mintages: 560,390,585
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: F-12 $6.66

All in all the collectors value is $14.22, I paid $7.37 minus $3.00 in shipping it was $4.37. You decide if it was worth it, I would add that I had at 20 other coins that I lost the bidding from this same seller who charges only $0.50 for shipping and handling. If I won it would have been $15.00 for $30.00 worth of coins.

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1941S & 1945S half dollars

Do you have a half dollar coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

My two newest buys are these half dollars from eBay for a price of $6.02 for both. I've never found a Walker half dollar in my change so I only get them if I buy them.
















The Liberty Walking halves were minted from 1916-1947 they average $7.25 for G-4 and $40.00 for MS-60.The most valuable circulating piece is the 1921D at $325.00 in G-4 or $4,750 in MS-60. The least valuable are most of the years between 1949-1947 at $7.00 in G-4.

The back has the eagle on a perch. (Click on any of the images for a larger view.)

Here's the stats for these two coins....
Year: 1941S
Mintage: 8,098,000
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: EF-40 $16.00 or AU-50 $20.00

Year: 1945S
Mintages: 10,156,000
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: VF-20 $15.00

Here's where to find the mintmark on the reverse of a walking liberty half dollar.

Do you have a half dollar coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you

Coin News

BEVERLY HILLS, California-A rare Gold coin owned by a descendant of Chinese immigrants who worked in the California gold fields sold for $253,000 at a Beverly Hills auction.

The coin has been confirmed by numismatists as one of only 12 "Quarter Eagles" known to exist from the 246 that were made at the San Francisco Mint in 1854.

The Quarter Eagle is about the size of a dime and was made from Gold Rush ore at the San Francisco Mint just months after it opened. It contains one-eighth ounce of California gold.

The anonymous seller's great-grandfather acquired the coin between 1856 and 1858 while working the gold fields, according to the American Numismatic Rarities of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, which auctioned the coin Sunday.

"They took exceptional care of this important piece of American history for nearly 150 years," said John Pack of American Numismatic Rarities. "In fact, it is the second finest known surviving example."

The coin, which was expected to sell for at least $150,000, opened at $140,000 and quickly jumped in $5,000 and $10,000 increments before going to an anonymous collector for the final price.

From CNN and AP sources.

10 Cent Canadian Find

Do you have a Canadian coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

I found this brand new 2005 10¢ Canadian coin.

It looks great even though it's a circulating coin. The scanner never does the coin justice, it looks better in real life.

Check out this blurred image, you can clearly see the reflection of my camera. The coins surface is as perfect as a mirror.

Here's the stat for this coin...
Year: 2005P
Mintage: 212,175,000
Metal: 92% Steel, 5,5% Copper, 2.5% Nickel
Value: MS-63 $0.60






This coin was returned in my change as a dime. It's around my 250th Canadian coin I lost track a while ago. They usually aren't high value but they are high quality.

Do you have a Canadian coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you

True Values, Not Really pt.III

More frequently asked question about coins.

Give me some history of the Indian head penny.

• First the image on the coin is actually Liberty wearing an Indian headdress.
• Variety 1 is from 1859 has a wreath on the back with no shield.
• Variety 2 is from 1860-1864 and has a wreath on the back with a shield.
• Variety 3 is from 1864-1909 and is bronze , not copper-nickel like the other varieties.
• Values:
• Variety 1=$15.00 at G-4, and $110.00 at EF-40, or $2,000.00 at MS-65
• Variety 2=$12.00 at G-4, and $45.00 at EF-40, or $640.00 at MS-65
• Variety 3=$2.00 at G-4, and $10.00 at EF-40, or $220.00 at MS-65

What are wheat penny values? What is the value of old wheat pennies? Valuable wheat pennies


Yes I get it wheat pennies are commonly found so I'll repeat what I said before,

• Wheat pennies in low grades go $0.02-$0.10 in general.
• Check out the years below for coins that are valued more.
• Rare dates: 1909-S, 1909-S V.D.B., 1914-D, 1922, 1931-S
• Scarce dates: 1910-S, 1911-S, 1912-S, 1913-S, 1914-S, 1915-S, 1922-D, 1922-D, 1924-D

What are the values of a 1917 American penny, 1926 penny and a 1945 penny?

• 1917 = $0.20___1917D = $0.30___1917S = $0.50 at Good grade
• 1926 = $0.20___1926D = $0.25___1926S = $2.25 at Good grade
• 1945 = $0.02___1945D = $0.02___1945S = $0.03 at Good grade
• Of course the fist two will be worth more at higher grades, not so much the last.

How do I clean wheat pennies?

• Soap and water.
• Distilled water.
• But the most effective is using Acetone ( not nail polish remover) or xylene for "cleaning" copper coins.
• All of these DO NOT involve brushing but if you need to brush try a super-soft brush of natural fibers, gently in small circles.

Worth of a 1947D nickel?

• $0.30 at VF-20 and $3.50 at MS-65

Where can I sell my coins mercury dime online?

• eBay, because most companies only want the best.
• Start at $0.01, no reserve and list for at least 7 days.
• I've seen ads of places that buy coins and Littleton does pay top dollar but the reject lots of coins that don't meet their standards so if you think your coin is great go to them or other famous coin companies.

Why is my Sacagawea coin peeling?

• It maybe plated with something or may have chemical damage. It probably isn't a true error.

How much for old Canadian pennies(in low grade)?

• 1912-1920 about $0.50
• 1920-1936 about $0.20
• 1937-2005 about $0.10

What is the value of a 1959 Canadian quarter?

• About $2.00 in MS-60.

What is the value of dollar silver certificate dated 1957b?

• About $2.50 in very fine and $5.00 in CU (crisp uncirculated).

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you

Jamaican Coins

Do you have a foreign coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you

My most recent find was this 1 dollar Jamaican coin. It is dime sized and was given to me as such after a purchase. This is 1996 Jamaican dollar, the fourth I found in change.

This example is among the worst I got. Usually the are so bright and unscratched that they would grade BU(Brilliant Uncirculated). This example is low grade maybe Fine.







Here's the stats for this coin....
Year: 1996
Mintage: Not yet listed.
Metal: Nickel-Clad Steel
Value: Unc $1.00

This is my 27^th Jamaican coin I found in my change. Most of these coins were found in recent years, there has been a surge in Caribbean coins in NYC and a big downturn of Canadian.

The oldest Jamaican coin I found was a 1975 10¢ coin.
The most valuable Jamaican coin I found was a $20.00 coin from 2000 it's valued at $3.00 in uncirculated condition.
The Jamaican coin I most frequently find are the dollar coins, I found 17 of them all returned as dimes, despite the 7-sided shape.

Do you have a foreign coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you

That Famous 9/11 Coin

Do you have a fake coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

A year ago the National Collector's Mint sold these "Freedom Tower" silver dollars. Soon a controversy arose because of three things.

1. The fact that some of the silver used came from the vaults at the twin towers.
2. It claimed to be an official U.S. coin from the Northern Mariana Islands.
3. It was profiting from 9/11.

Some politicians and whining widows then sued the National Collector's Mint and they agreed to return the money for anyone who wanted it and cease the sale of this coin.

The edge has written on it, "COMMONWEALTH N. MARIANA ISLANDS- WORLD TRADE CENTER RECOVERY SILVER- 100 MIL CLAD"

After the big controversy these coins were selling on eBay and other sites for $100.00 and recently they have sold for $50.00 but now the market has flattened out and the sell for their original $23.45.

I knew it would be controversial and was quickly proven right. It is still a beautiful fake coin.

This coin is not legal tender. It is not from the Northern Mariana Islands, the name was licensed out by this little commonwealth. They do stick to the claim that the silver, 100 Mil .999 Pure Silver recovered from the ruins of Ground Zero.

Update: These non-coins have bottomed out at about $10.00 in June 2008. It is obvious how people see these as offensive but compared to the offense committed by the 19 Muslims hijackers it is small. Direct any anger to the right targets.

Do you have a fake coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

On September 11, 2001

AMERICA ATTACKED

Death and destruction came from the sky on what was a beautiful cloudless day as four hijacked jetliners were used as missiles. Over 3,000 people were killed when nineteen Islamic terrorists struck the Twin Towers and the Pentagon.

The World Trade Center towers were mortally wounded when two airliners struck. Horrified onlookers watched as people began leaping to their deaths as the fire and smoke raged in the towers. An hour later the tragedy worsened as both towers collapsed.

The fourth flight that was hijacked was taken down in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers revolted.

The first signs of trouble happened when some of the hijackers were flagged by a routine security check at boarding time. Some of these terrorist also carried box cutters although this was not against the airlines regulations.

The four flights were headed to California and carried fully loaded fuel tanks for the cross country journey.

As the flights were being hijacked air traffic controllers received messages from the cockpits. “We have some planes” said one terrorist over the radio. These devilishly clever hijackers also turned off the transponders, this way they would be harder to track.

Flight attendants bravely called their airlines main offices to alert them of the situation. Passengers called home desperate to speak with loved ones, some of the passengers told of bomb threats and stabbings aboard the airliners.

“Don’t worry dad, it will be quick” said a son to his father as the Pennsylvania flight went down.

President George W. Bush was in Florida at the time and did not initially return to the White House.

Fighter jets scrambled as orders to shoot down the airlines came from President Bush.

Mace was used during the terrorist takeover causing people to choke and vomit. During these agonizing moments President Bush remained seated in a Florida classroom.

Federal Aviation Administration officials were unprepared for this type of unprecedented attack. “This is a new type of war” said a commander at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Holey Coins Man

Do you have an altered coins and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Years ago I found these two quarters in my change on different days. These "holey" coins were drilled to make jewelry. Notice where the holes are positioned.

These machine drilled coins hold no value for collector, yet people still collect these coins for fun.
Obviously I found them in my change so they were used for face value.

Quarters are most often found drilled because they are big enough to drill and small enough to where like a charm.

Often they are also dipped in a gold coloring to have more appeal.

Be aware that these are altered coins and are perfectly legal to alter and own as long as your not trying to pass it as an original"holed" coin from the mint.

Some alterations I've seen have pictures etched into the coin or state names. I can't wait to find one of those in my change.

Do you have an altered coins and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Proofs sets and Collectables

Do you have a Proof set and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Anonymous said...

what is the value of the following proof sets? 1992 silver, 1993 non silver , 1994 non silver, 1999 non silver (all), 2000 non silver (all), 2002 non silver (all), 2003 non silver (all), and 2005 non silver (all)

Year_____Mintage_____Prices______
1992S silver(1,009,586) Issue price:$21.00, Current value:$22.00
1993S........(2,409,394) Issue price:$12.50, Current value: $10.00
1994S........(2,308,701) Issue price:$12.50, Current value: $10.00
1999S,9-piece (2,543,401) Issue price:$19.95,Current value: $35.00
2000S,10-piece(3,082,483) Issue price:$19.95,Current value: $10.00
2002S,10-piece(2,319,766) Issue price:$19.95,Current value: $30.00
2003S, 10-piece(2,172,684) Issue price:$19.95,Current value: $18.00
2005S, 11-piece(2,275,000) Issue price:$22.95,Current value: $12.00

By (all) I assume that nothing is missing. The values reflect coins still in the government original packaging and with good appeal meaning no spots or discoloration.

Also during these years other Prestige, Silver Premier and 5-piece quarter set were issued but these would say so on the package.
These on the left are 2005S Proof in blue and 2005S Proof Silver in red.

Anonymous said...

what do you think the best coins for starting a collection are?

I started collecting Wheat pennies but then I quickly turned to foreign coins. As you see from my blog I collect almost anything I get in my change and only buy coins two or three times a year. I want one of every coin.

I suggest start with Lincolns and if you want to spend a little money try silver halves the older Franklins are affordable and you can get the entire series. Kennedys are great to start off with because the are cheap and great looking.


After gathering all the coins you already have GET A COIN BOOK, THE RED BOOK, IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF COLLECTING, any other coin book is fine for world coin or Lincolns, they are not that expensive if your library has it--use it.
The prices in most books are about the same, the Blue Book has prices most dealers buy at which is 1/5 the prices listed in the Red Book.


Online resources are shady at best, this is why I quote directly out the books because even quality coin site will say the a 2001D Kennedy is $7.00 but try to sell it for that and they will laugh in your face.

Thanks for your visits.

Do you have a Proof set and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2 Questions

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

First question.

Anonymous said...

I am looking for information on an 1842 proof penny, caondition unknown & info unknown. Thank You.

Year: 1842 large cent proof
Mintages: Estimated at 20
Metal: 100% copper
Value: For an average piece about $3,800 or less
PF-60 $4,250 for PF-64 $6,500
All proofs are known to be brown color no reds are known.

Variety: 8 are known of all 1842 cents
Circulating/non-proof: 2,383,390 minted

I've yet to see any pictures of this proof online or in books so I can't
link any good info., but this is the basic I know about that rare
proof.

Here is a book to look up which of the 8 proof varieties you may have, it's a hard to find book, maybe as rare as the coin...
"Attribution Guide For United States Large Cents 1840-1857", 2nd edition by J.R. Grellman and Jules Reiver

Imagine the image on the right in sharp crisp detail and a dark almost chocolate brown color and that is what the proof would look like. The image you see is circulating and may have been cleaned.

Thanks for the visit hope this info will help. I'll keep searching for more info.

Second question.

Anonymous said...
what would the state quarters from 1999 - 2002 that are plated with gold be worth?

Well like I posted before about these after mint altered coins and for coin collectors they lost all their value. But for art pieces or just the gold value on the coin itself or display pieces it is not out of the question to be worth a bit less then $5.00 per year IF DONE WELL.
Anything gold-plated has some value but only if nicely done.
Saying that sometimes these end up selling for less then face value or get tossed into circulation.

Thanks for the visit.

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

3rd of 3 New Coins

Do you have a Canadian coin and want to find out its value? Leave a question/comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

This is the last of last week's finds and the newest. I found it in my change and once again the brilliance of the coin is better in person. It looks like a proof coin, this is because the Canadian mint strikes less coins with each die then U.S. mints. A die is the tool used to press images into blank coins.

2005 Canada cent obverse.

2005 Canada cent reverse.

Here's the stats for a 2005 Canadian penny....
Year: 2005
Mintage: 759,658,000
Metal: Copper-plated zinc.
Value: About $0.25 in MS-63 grade.

The lack of exact information for new coin occurs I update when new data comes around. Plus the fact that Canadian circulating and collector's coins can be made in many varieties, metals and designs.

Do you have a Canadian coin and want to find out its value? Leave a question/comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2nd of 3 New Coins

Do you have an older coin and want to find out its value? Leave a question/comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

I got this 1855 seated liberty quarter and a journal of Seated Libertys from Purple73, thanks.

The seated quarter is in a 2x2 cardboard holder for quarters, it is the cheapest way to display you collection. The journal gives up to date information of the seated coin series. Check out a close-up of the reverse.

Here's the stats for the 1855 quarter....
Type & Year: 25 cents 1855 Liberty Seated Variety 3-Arrows at Date, No Rays
Mintage: 2,857,000
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: G-4 $25.00 this one is at least VF-20 $45.00 it may be EF-40 $85.00

Exclusive journals exist for all coin types and are published by coin clubs and other coin companies.

Seated liberty quarters were minted from 1838-1891 the most valuable is the 1870CC (Carson City mintmark) worth $7,500.00 at G-4. The average price for the rest is about $30.00 at G-4.

Do you have an older coin and want to find out its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1st of 3 New Coins

Do you have a proof set and want to find out its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

OK, this was the one I got from mcmxi, I was confused for a while. It is a 1964 proof set in a Whitman holder.

The scan doesn't do it justice. The five coins are in brilliant condition they look as good as any other new proofs I've received.

The dime, quarter and half dollar are silver. The last year that silver was made for these coins, until the recently. This is also the first year the Kennedy half was made.

Varieties of the penny exist but this one is normal.

Here's the stats for the proof set ....
Year: 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: silver, nickel and copper
Value: $20.00 For unspotted condition in original government package.

Here's the stats for each proof coin out of the package ....
Type & Year: 1 cent 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: 95% copper 5% zinc
Value: PF-65 $1.50

Type & Year: 5 cents 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Value: PF-65 $1.50

Type & Year: 10 cents 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: PF-65 $3.00

Type & Year: 25 cents 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: PF-65 $8.00

Type & Year: 50 cents 1964
Mintage: 3,950,762
Metal: 90% silver 10% copper
Value: PF-65 $15.00 a variety with heavily accented hair is $40.00

PF-65 is gem proof it's brilliant surfaces with no noticeable blemishes or flaws. A few scattered, barely noticeable marks or hairline.

Do you have a proof set and want to find out its value? Leave a question/comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.