Old Coin Value

 

Use the search space below by entering a coin type or name, like "Morgan Dollar " followed by the word value.  So instead of old coin value type in "Morgan Dollar value" and click on search.  Results for the search will display within this page. 

 
What tools and resources can we use to get an old coin value?  What makes certain old coin values more valuable then others?  The first question is much easier to answer than the second.  We have put up this blog to help people determine old coin value, in hopes of answering the first question,  by providing some customized search capability (keywords on coin valuation already embedded) as well as some useful links in this Blog's sidebars and post pages under the buy old coin value tab above.
 
In trying to answer the second question; what makes certain old coin values more valuable then others, we will focus on some coin collecting principles used to determine any old coins value.

Characteristics that make old coin value differ greatly. 

Just because a coin is old does not make it valuable.  Old coin value is not only dependent upon the coins age or mint date.  We will discuss how age, coin condition, and how rare the coin is and how these factors influence old coin values below.

Old Coin Value and Condition

A coins' condition is referred to as it's "grade". The Standard International Grading System is used to grade coins regardless of age.  It will help to think about the coin on the day it was created or minted and yet to be touched by human hands as the most perfect state of the coin; the coin's birthday.  Grades range from this birthday pristine condition all the way down to it's most beaten and circulated condition also known as "poor".  Un-circulated and proof coins are characterized by never having left the place where it was minted "un-circulated", and never having left it's mint site for circulation AND not being touched by human hands or "proof" condition. There are varying levels of proof (like number of strikes, die types, etc.) but for now and arguments sake go with the not touched angle.  You do not have to be an avid collector to figure out the rule of thumb here; coins of higher condition, relative to the same coin of lower condition, are typically more valuable if all else is equal.

Old Coin Value and Age

While a centuries old coin might be an expensive item, age is not the determining factor of coin value. Some old coins are very hard to find and hence are in greater demand. But even younger coins that are not readily available might be as expensive or even more expensive than much older ones.

Old Coin Value and How Rare It Is

Rarity is important in determining old coin value.  Rare simply means how many of any given coin are in existence.  While rare coins are generally more expensive the grade of the coin is, we believe, more important in assessing the value of the coin.  Coin availability and demand and supply determine how rare a coin is and help determine the old coin value.  The best way to figure out how rare a coin is will be to consult with an appraiser or coin dealer.  Look here for resources you can use in the sidebars or in the search function above.

There is also the intangible old coin value technique; in other words a coin is worth what the last person paid for it.  Valuation can be subjective.



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