Greece has produced some of the most beautiful coins the world has ever known. Early Greek coins are very crude with punched designs of animals and other objects. Over time Greek coins became more sophisticated and complex.

Greek coins can be divided into three periods, the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic. The Archaic period extends from the introduction of coinage to the Greek world in about 600 BCE until the Persian Wars in about 480 BCE. The Classical period then began, and lasted until the conquests of Alexander the Great in about 330 BCE, which began the Hellenistic period, extending until the Roman absorption of the Greek world in the 1st century BCE.

Between 500 B.C and 400 B.C the Greeks at Athens issued large silver coins called tetradrachms with the bug-eyed owl on one side. A common hallmark of Athenian coins. The owl was the symbol of the goddess Athena who considered the bird sacred. The ultimate Greek coin to be minted was the decadrachm. The decadrachm was a large silver coin from Syracuse in Greece and is regarded by many collectors as the finest coin produced in the ancient world

A drachm or drachma coin was and still is today the basic unit of Greek money. A tetradrachm equals four drachma and a decadrachm equals ten drachma.

4 Drachm/Drachma = 1 Tetradrachm, 8 Drachm/Drachma = 1 Decadrachm

Unlike ancient Roman Coins, ancient Greek coins rarely contain the portrait of leaders during their time, particularly the earlier Greek coins. Instead many Greek coins contain images of Gods or plants or animals. Even Alexander the Great’s image did not appear on coins made during his rule. It was only after his death when he was elevated to the position of a God that his image can be seen on Greek coins.

Greek coins made in the later periods of Greek civilization contain lower amounts of precious metals. As Greece declined so did their coins and silver painted coins made out of bronze became more pre prevalent.

Buying Greek Coins

If you choose to buy Greek coins you will come up against a number of challenges. There are some things to consider:

• There are usually no dates or mint marks on Greek coins making them harder to identify
• There are no set schemes or patterns to collect when collecting Greek coins.
• Greek coins are rarer and therefore usually cost more

When collecting Ancient Greek coins some interesting categories to consider would be:

• Greek coins with portraits on the obverse
• Gold and electrum Greek coinage (expensive)
• Archaic period (the oldest Greek coins)
• Bronze coinage
• Greek coins originating from a certain city or region

Ancient Greek Coins for Sale on eBay:

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Collecting Ancient Greek Coins by Paul Rynearson NEW Latest Price:   US $24.77

Megara ATTICA 307BC Authentic Genuine Rare Ancient Greek Coin APOLLO TRIPOD Latest Price:   US $250.00

NR OLD VTG ROUND ANCIENT GREEK COIN ATHENA AND OWL REPRO FREE SHIPPING Latest Price:   US $12.45

NR OLD VTG ROUND ANCIENT GREEK COIN POSEIDON REPRO FREE SHIPPING Latest Price:   US $12.45

NR OLD VTG ROUND ANCIENT GREEK COIN ATHENA REPRO FREE SHIPPING Latest Price:   US $7.99

NR OLD VTG ROUND ANCIENT GREEK COIN ZEUS REPRO FREE SHIPPING Latest Price:   US $12.45

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If you own a stash of valuable coins these items are thief magnets as they are small, portable and are easily sold for cash. To avoid having your collection stolen there are a few common sense measures you can take.

• Firstly you should be careful who you tell, so try to avoid discussing your collection in public.
• When sending a package containing coins avoid references to coins on the packaging and obtain recorded delivery in case the package does not reach its destination.
• Hide your coins somewhere where a thief will not find them if they broke into your home.
• Store your coins in a safe-deposit box in a bank rather than at home. Things to consider are access restrictions, terms of agreement, climate inside vault, insurance and the size of the deposit box.
• Buy a home safe – Regular safe, wall safe, fire safe or floor safe

Many coin collectors prefer to keep a valuable collection of coins at home where they can admire them and keep them close by. This may be important if you have a rapidly growing and changing collection where quick access to your coin collection is important. If that is you then you should consider buying a safe. There are a number of different types of safe for sale today. These come in a variety of sizes and types and can protect your coins not just against burglary but also fire.

Regular safes

Regular safes come in a range of sizes and weights with the heaviest safes giving you the greatest protection and buying you the most time should a burglar enter your home. Remember that unless your safe is heavier enough that 2 or 3 strong men couldn’t possibly move it then it’s not worth bothering with.

Wall safes

Wall safes are great if they are reinforced properly by the surrounding wall. Unless your safe is properly embedded in concrete then don’t bother buying a wall safe. A thief can use a crowbar to yank them out of the wall and carry them away.

Fire safes

Fire safes or fireproof safes offer protection mainly against fire but can also offer protection against burglars if they require secure access and are heavy enough that they cannot be carried away. A house fire can reduce your precious collection to nothing more than junk metal if exposed to extreme heat. By a fire safe if you live in a high risk area for fires.

Floor safes

The advantage of floor safes is that they are hidden from view and are difficult for thieves to find. This alone can be the best prevention against burglary. The disadvantage is that they can be more difficult to access than other safes because they may require removal of carpets or rugs. As with wall safes these they should be embedded in concrete to prevent removal using a crowbar.

Incorrectly cleaning old or ancient coins can significantly reduce their value leaving them worth only a fraction of their original price.

Never clean valuable coins yourself but take them to an expert coin conservator. In fact never clean coins of any value until you are an expert in correct cleaning techniques. You should leave most coins alone but coins that can be cleaned include the following:

• Coins discovered using a metal detector like many Ancient coins
• Coins that have accumulated a very dark covering of tarnish
• Coins with a localized problem or with tape residue.
• Coins left too long in a vinyl/plastic holder resulting in a thin film on the surface

Cleaning Dirt on Coins

If your coins are dirty and you rub, scrub or polish the coin you will scratch the coin as dirt is an abrasive. When cleaning a dirty coin use a small paintbrush such as the ones used by artists or a soft toothbrush rinsed in warm water to further soften it. Gently exert pressure only targeting the areas covered with dirt. If this does not do the trick and your coin is very crusty and dirty you could try soaking it in olive oil for a day or two and use a toothpick to gently pick off the dirt. You should try not to apply too much pressure in the process. If you work under good lighting and use a microscope or magnifying glass you can clean the coin more precisely and check you are not scratching the coin in the process.

After gently using a paintbrush, toothbrush or toothpick rinse the coin under warm water to remove any loose dirt and repeat the process if necessary. When drying the coin you should not use paper towels as the wood fibres in the paper may leave small hairline scratches. Instead use a cotton cloth, preferably one that is 100% cotton avoiding pressure or rubbing.

Cleaning PVC Film on Coins

PVC damage on coins is caused by plastic holders degrading. Plastic fold-over holders called flips are notorious for causing PVC damage. Other types of coin storage can contain PVC, including cheap Chinese made coin albums, storage sheets, coin boxes etc. Over time PVC can seep out of the vinyl and onto your coins. This can cause an oily film, green spots or a light haze.

If the plastic you store your coins in is soft and if you can smell the plastic then usually long term storage in these holders will result in PVC residue and damage to your coins. Your coins are not damaged beyond repair. In fact it is fairly easy to remove PVC residue on coins but you must do so with care.

Acetone is a chemical used in nail polish removal and works well at removing PVC film and marks from coins. However you should be careful as acetone is very toxic and explosive. Be sure to wear latex gloves and eye protection and to carry out the procedure in a well-ventilated area. Also be sure to read the label.

Pure acetone is best and can be found in your local drugstore in the cosmetics section. You can also find it in hardware stores in the paint section.

Use a clean swab containing pure acetone and gently wipe or dab the swab on the coin until the PVC is removed. Repeat this process using a different swab until the swab is clear.

Cleaning Lacquer Off of Coins

A hundred years ago, some collectors attempted to preserve the quality of their coins by applying a thin coat of lacquer. Nowadays people may lacquer coins if they want to hide scratches or damage to otherwise valuable coins. Therefore be wary of coins covered in lacquer as you may get ripped off. Also be warned that no certification service will grade a coin that has a lacquer remaining on the surfaces Therefore if you want the coin certified you must remove the lacquer first.

Again as with cleaning PVC from a coin you can use acetone to remove lacquer. Dip your coin in acetone for a minute or two. If lacquer remains on the coin you may need to continue the process. Again be careful as acetone is a dangerous chemical.

Removing Tarnish or Toning

Do not worry about removing light toning as a lot of collectors pay higher premiums for well-toned coins. However if you really don’t like the look of tarnish or toning on your coin you can buy chemicals specifically formulated for removing tarnish. You can find these chemical ‘peels’ at your local coin dealer. E-Z-Est Coin Cleaner or jewel luster is great for this purpose. To be on the safe side you should dilute the chemicals used by mixing with water and dip the coin in the solution and leaving it to do its work.

Do not dip coins of different metals in the same solution as it can add another layer of metal. Also do not dip copper coins in this solution as they can react badly. When using the solution dip the coin in and remove straight away. Don’t forget to use a soft cloth towel to dry your Coin, preferably one made of cotton. Dry by patting not rubbing

Heavy toning can hide faint hairline scratches which can reduce the value of your coin so be ready for this disappointment. Also remember that once the tarnish is removed it can leave the coin with an unattractive dull color with no luster.

Conclusion

Remember that when in doubt leave the coin alone as many coins have been irreversibly damaged and have lost their value after cleaning or dipping the coin in chemicals. If you think the coins are worth something and they are really in need of a clean you should leave the job to an expert.

If your starting out as a coin collector one of the best ways to learn about numismatics and discover coins you may not otherwise see is to hook up with someone who is already involved in numismatics as a collector or dealer. They can advise you on the coins you should look out for and those you should avoid. They will also have stories to share about their experiences and the coins they owned or regret not buying. They may also share with you the mistakes they made when starting out as a newbie so you can avoid making the same mistakes yourself.

Here are some places where you can meet other coin collectors and dealers:

Coin shows: Coin shows will usually have a large and diverse range of coins and some experienced numismatists from outside your area. This can be a great way of developing an interest in coin collecting so don’t forget to bring your kids.

Coin clubs: Coin clubs give you a chance to meet other coin collectors in your area and attend local coin club meetings to share your experiences.

Coin shops: Here you will find coin dealers in your area who you can talk to on a personal level. Stock with those that are the most helpful and trustworthy. If you show an interest in what they are selling they are sure to provide useful advice for free.

Specialty clubs: Perhaps you are only interested in Ancient Roman coins or old American coins. Specialty clubs give you an opportunity to meet other collectors who share your particular interest. You can find many specialty clubs online so you are sure to find one that suites your interest even if it is very specific. For example if your interest is in early American copper coin then why not join the Early American Coppers Club (www.eacs.org). If your interest is United States colonial coins then there is the Colonial Coin Collectors club (www.colonialcoins.org)

Educational Seminars: Education seminars offer you the chance to listen to an expert numismatist on a broad range of subjects ranging from the history of the mint, the politics and economics of coin minting, to important events and legislation that determined the coins that were minted and their value today. The expert numismatists who presents the seminar should have a question and answer period to get to know the experts and ask questions.

The American Numismatic Association’s Summer Seminar: This is a yearly event held at the American Numismatic Associations headquarters in Colarado Springs. They offer week long courses on subjects that include how to grade U.S. Coins, detecting counterfeit U.S coins, rarities, coin photography and more. While class sizes are limited the attendees do have full access to the instructors who are true experts.

Attend coin shows

You could attend coin shows. Many shopping centers host coin shows every so often, so keep an eye out for any events at your local mall. You can often find displays of a wide range of old and rare coins at these coin shows and there is often plenty of information about them. Because competition is high, you might even find a good deal on a few coins, purchasing them for less than their normal value.

You should find new coins exhibited at these shows, and this is a good chance to make a future investment in addition to expanding your collection. Coin shows are an incredible source for buyers and enthusiasts, and a nice opportunity for hobbyists to showcase their collections. It also gives spectators a chance to see pieces of history in the form of rare coins they may never have come across before.

The Internet

Aside from shows, the internet is another vast resource, connecting you to a worldwide market full of almost any coin imaginable. A quick search will uncover countless websites designed for coin collectors, buyers, and dealers all around the world. Always make sure to research each seller first before any transactions, though, to make sure they are reliable and trustworthy. It is best to buy from sites that have been in business for a lengthy period of time and sites recommended by other coin collectors. If the website uses paypal then this is an added benefit as it is easier to reclaim your money through paypal then most other payment methods.

The internet is full of scams, but finding good or bad reviews can help guide you. Consult their terms and policies as well to see if they are willing to offer refunds should there be an issue with a purchase.

If you choose to buy old coins from Ebay make sure the dealer has a long history of dealing coins and look for any negative feedback even if it isn’t overtly stated.

Antique Shops

You may be able to find antique shops and coin dealers in your own town or in nearby areas. They are more likely to be trustworthy, since their sedentary location means they have to keep their limited customer base satisfied. These places are run by experts who can help you appraise or locate any coin you want.

These days, the gold buying and selling industry is booming. Since the recession hit, people have noticed that they need a way to convert some of their less used assets into liquid cash – and usually, gold is one of the best assets to use for this purpose, as most people don’t really wear their gold jewelry all that often. Add to this the fact that gold is an extremely liquid commodity – that is to say, there will always be people who are willing to buy it in exchange for hard cash – and it becomes very clear that the gold industry is a very lucrative one. As a result, there are a lot of people who are offering to buy your old gold. It is not hard to find a gold merchant whom you can deal with – simply open up a newspaper or magazine and flip through it until you see an add for a cash for gold type deal.

However, as a consumer, you should be careful. It is not in the best interests of these gold merchants to give you the full value of what your gold is worth – after all, they need to make a profit as well. Sometimes, you might run into differences of opinion regarding what your gold items are worth – normally, gold dealers make it a habit to quote you a rather low price as soon as negotiations begin, because they want to make sure that your expectations remain low. Do not fall for this trap – particularly if your gold items are valuable.

In a lot of cases, there may genuinely be nothing that you can do to extract a higher price for your gold from the dealer. For example, most people try to sell old jewelry, gold watches, or other such items. These usually will not fetch as high a value as what you paid for them, because they have depreciated over the years – after all, regular wear and tear takes its toll on such objects, and they may be scratched or otherwise damaged, or have lost their lustre, or become misshapen through years of regular use. In these cases, there is usually not much you can do to get a good price for these objects – generally, these kinds of things are referred to as 'scrap gold' and generally you can expect to get around 80% of their actual gold value.

However, there are cases where objects actually appreciate in value, rather than depreciate. Gold coins, for example, can have an extremely high worth to collectors and investors – and in fact, these tend to become rarer and rarer over time, as more and more consumers turn to selling their gold coins for decent prices even at scrap value.  As a result, the right gold coin or stamped gold bullion can be worth a lot more than the average gold dealer will offer you. If you own gold bullion coins that you suspect are worth something to collectors, and you are looking to liquidate them, you are truly in a position of power to haggle with gold merchants. Take your time while selling, and get quotes from as many dealers as you can before you make the leap.

Bullion coins come in many forms from many countries, in North America for example the more well known and popular bullion coins come in the form of 1 oz Maples and Eagles from Canada and the U.S. respectively.  Other well know investment type coins include 1 oz Krugerrands from South Africa.  If you're thinking you'd like to buy gold bullion coins you can rest assured that any 1 oz coin will always be worth it's weight in gold literally,  and if the current trend of melting down coins continues they may even be worth more than their gold content.  Gold has been treasured for centuries and with the current economy this trend is sure to continue.

Rare American coins make great investments. They tend to experience strong growth and are another asset in your porfolio to protect you against currency devaluation and inflation.

While rare American coins are usually considered rare if few were minted relative to their series rarity scales such as the Sheldon rarity scale and the Universal rarity scale are also usefull when assigning rarity to a coin

The Sheldon rarity scale was developed by William Herbert Sheldon in 1958 and consists of eight levels of rarity from R1 to R8. R8 is "unique, or nearly so" with R1 being "Common, readily available".

The universal rarity scale was developed in 1992 by Q. David Bowers and is a scale from 0 to 20. URS 0 means that there are no coins known to exist. A scale of URS 20 means 250,001 to 500,000 are in existence.

Rare US coins are identified by their mint mark. The mint mark provides the initials of the mint branch where they were made. Rare US coins are said to have been minted on "key dates". A key date coin is usually the lowest mintage of the denomination or series. Here are some rare US coins and their coin values.

Rare Morgan Silver Dollars
Morgan silver dollars are one of the most popular, well researched and collectable US coin and there are a number of dates in the Morgan Dollar series that are considered key dates. Here are the mintages and estimated values for these coins at grade VF-20.

• Morgan Dollar 1889-CC: Mintage of 200,346 - $2000
• Morgan Dollar 1893-S: Mintage of between 77,000 and 100,000 - $8000
• Morgan Dollar 1895 Proof: 12,880 (880 Proofs + 12,000 Business Strikes) - $40,000

The 1895 Proof is considered the most valuable with a PF-65 coin worth $100,000 according to the 2009 Red book. It is believed by many that the 1895 dollars were melted shortly after their minting or never struck which could mean that a maximum number of 880 proof coins may exist. I say maximum because many of these coins may not have stood the test of time, particularly coins in the highest grades.

The rare 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar is another Key date to the series with a mintage of 100,000. The 1893-S Morgan silver dollar is rare in all grades.

Rare Morgan Dollars for Sale on eBay:

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1891 P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR $$ PQ STUNNER $$ RARE US MINT COIN $$ Latest Price:   US $37.00

1900 O CC MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR RARE O over CC KEY DATE US MINT COIN STUNNER Latest Price:   US $88.79

1904 P Morgan Silver Dollar Uncirculated BU Mint State Rare Key Date MS US Coin Latest Price:   US $42.01

1886 O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR RARE MINT STATE KEY DATE US COIN BU UNC MS STUNNER Latest Price:   US $499.00

1895 S Morgan Silver Dollar RARE KEY DATE Latest Price:   US $272.00

1889 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR $ RARE KEY DATE $ US MINT COIN $ PQ STUNNER $ Latest Price:   US $185.00

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Rare Saint–Gaudens Double Eagles (1907-1933)

These are the most beautiful American Bullion coins ever created and one of the most rare American gold coins because of the great gold meltdown during Roosevelt’s time. Rare American gold coins such as the saint-Gaudens Double Eagle can fetch high prices becuase due to their bullion and numismatic value.

This American Bullion coin obverse features the image of Miss Liberty striving gloriously into the future holding a torch in her right hand. To the lower left, nearly concealed by her flowing gown, the dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible. The reverse features the majestic flying eagle bathed in sunlight.

The rare Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins are valued in thousands of dollars if in good condition. St. Gaudens' work on the high-relief $20 gold piece is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of art on any American coin. The mint eventually insisted on a low-relief version, as the high-relief coin took up to eleven strikes to bring up the details and didn't stack correctly for banking purposes. Only 12,367 of these coins were struck in 1907. These coins easily top the $10,000 price in circulated grades, but can reach nearly a half million dollars in the best states of preservation.

Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coins, particulary the rarer minteages make great investments as they are likely to appreciate more than other numismatic holdings. The rarest Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle and probably one of the rarest coins ever minted in America is the 1933 Double Eagle. Only 445,500 Double Eagles were minted with the 1933 date, none were released into circulation because of changes made to currency laws during the Great Depression.

• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle MCMVII (1907-P) - High Relief
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1908-S
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1920-S
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1921-P
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1927-D
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1927-S
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1929-P
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1930-S
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1931-P
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1931-D
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1932-P
• Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle 1933

Saint Gaudens Double Eagle for Sale on eBay:

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RARE GEM 1911 D NGC GRADED MS66 SAINT ST GAUDENS $20 DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN Latest Price:   US $3,779.00

RARE 1911 S SAINT PCGS MS65 ST GAUDENS $20 DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN SAN FRANCISCO Latest Price:   US $5,479.00

1929 P Saint Gaudens Double Eagle PCGS Secure Plus MS64 ULTRA RARE Latest Price:   US $57,500.00

RARE 1914 D PCGS GRADED MS66 SAINT ST GAUDENS $20 DOUBLE EAGLE GOLD COIN DENVER Latest Price:   US $9,779.00

RARE $20 ST GAUDENS 1907 DOUBLE EAGLE HGE GOLD MINI COLLECTORS COIN FAST SHIP Latest Price:   US $1.99

RARE STGAUDENS $20 GOLD PLATED DOUBLE EAGLE MINI REPLICA COLLECTOR COIN CHEAP Latest Price:   US $1.99

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Rare Mercury Dimes (1916–1945) Key Dates

The Mercury Dime features a battle-ax to signify military readiness, placed next to an olive branch to express hope for peace.

Mercury Dimes depict horizontal bands holding together the rods. If they are fully separated and rounded they can generate significantly more than coins of the same date and mintmark.

Here are some Rare Mercury Dimes from Key dates and their estimated value

• Mercury Dime 1916-D - $1750
• Mercury Dime 1921 - $1750
• Mercury Dim 1921-D - $150
• Mercury Dime 1942 / 1-D - $650

Rare Mercury Dimes for Sale on eBay:

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Uncirculated Mercury Dimes Silver Coin Lot US Set Collection RARE Latest Price:   US $59.00

1943 Mercury Dime CUD error mis strike RARE unusual silver details mis Latest Price:   US $35.00

1944 US SILVER Mercury Dime Beautiful Rare Coin WoW Must See Latest Price:   US $2.79

LK RARE COIN SET COLLECTION ESTATE LOT US COINS SILVER MERCURY DIME Latest Price:   US $8.50

1921 MERCURY DIME 90 SILVER RARE KEY ALMOST GOOD 2829 glc Latest Price:   US $9.11

1921 MERCURY DIME 90 SILVER RARE KEY VERY GOOD STRONG DATE 3031 glc Latest Price:   US $21.50

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Rare Indian Head Cents (1859-1909) Key Dates

The Indian head cent was released in 1859, made of 88% copper and 12% nickel. The metal in the cent was worth nearly the same as its face value at the time. Today some rare Indian head cents fetch hundreds of dollars and their value has increased significantly over the last few years. This makes them good coin investments. Key dates and their values in 2010 in Good-4 condition are included below:

• 1877 Indian Head Cent: $1000
• 1908-S Indian Head Cent: $75.00
• 1909-S Indian Head Cent: $650

Rare Indian Head Cents for Sale on eBay:

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1903 COUNTERSTAMP Indian Head Penny RARE COIN b202 Latest Price:   US $9.95

1891 Indian Head Cent Penny Clear date LIBERTY showing higher grade old rare Latest Price:   US $8.50

1890 Indian Head Cent Penny Clear date nicer grade old rare 88 cent shipping Latest Price:   US $1.95

1889 Indian Head Cent Penny Clear date nicer grade old rare 88 cent shipping Latest Price:   US $1.95

1893 Indian Head Cent Penny Clear date nicer grade old rare 88 cent shipping Latest Price:   US $1.95

1892 Indian Head Cent Penny VERY Clear date LIBERTY showing diamond old rare Latest Price:   US $4.50

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Rare Lincoln Wheat Cents (1909–1958) Key Dates

While most Lincoln Wheat Cents are only worth a few dollars the rare Lincoln Wheat Cents minted on the Key dates below can fetch hundreds of dollars. The following provides the wholesale coin value in dollars for Lincoln Wheat Cents minted on these key days. The wholesale coin value is said to provide a more reliable estimate of their worth than the retail coin prices found in nearly all other coin price guides.

• 1909-S - 1.8 million - $47.00
• 1909-S VDB - 0.5 million - $550.00
• 1914-D - 1.2 million - $125.00
• 1922 (No mint mark) - unknown (D is missing) - $415.00
• 1931-S - 0.9 million - $50.00

Rare Lincoln Wheat Cents for Sale on eBay:

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1958 D DDO Lincoln Wheat Cent Rare ERROR Close up Pics LOOK Latest Price:   US $49.99

1927d Lincoln Wheat Penny nicer grade semi key date cent old rare coin 1927 d Latest Price:   US $2.25

1915d Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny nicer grade semi key clear date old rare coin d Latest Price:   US $3.55

1909 S Lincoln Wheat Cent condition G rare key date Latest Price:   US $60.00

1911 Lincoln Head Wheat Cent Penny Rare 101 Year Old Coin Latest Price:   US $79.50

1909 S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent NGC MS64RB RED BROWN RARE Latest Price:   US $3,060.00

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Rare Buffalo Head Nickels (1913-1938) Key Dates

Buffalo Nickels also called Indian Head Nickels are worth at least seven times their face value if they have a readable date. Rare Buffalo Nickels from key dates are worth hundreds or even thousands of time their face value.

• 1913-D Type II - $50.00
• 1913-S Type II - $120.00
• 1916 Doubled Die - $1,200.00
• 1918-D 8 over 7 - $550.00
• 1921-S - $45.00
• 1937-D 3 legs - $180.00

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Rare Coin GUITAR PICK Indian Head Buffalo Nickel non hobo for Acoustic Electric Latest Price:   US $9.99

Rare date 1921 S Indian Head Buffalo Nickel Latest Price:   US $10.50

Indian Head Buffalo Nickel Five Cents Coin 5C Ancient Rare Old Unknown Year Latest Price:   US $8.99

US 1913 P BUFFALO NICKEL RARE BEAUTIFUL COLLECTOR COIN INDIAN HEAD 5 CENT COIN Latest Price:   US $9.99

1935 P BUFFALO NICKEL US 5 CENT COIN INDIAN HEAD NICERARE AMERICAN COLLECTABLE Latest Price:   US $.99

1934 P BUFFALO NICKEL US 5 CENT COIN INDIAN HEAD NICERARE AMERICAN COLLECTABLE Latest Price:   US $.99

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Rare Walking Liberty Half Dollars Key Dates (1976–1947)

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was a silver half dollar coin issued by the United States Government and equal to fifty cents.

In the series there are some difficult rarities and some low-mintage (less than one million made) dates.

The rarities include the 1946-P error coin. The more difficult rarities to find have five key dates:

• Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1916-P
• Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1916-S
• Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1921-P
• Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1921-D
• Walking Liberty Half Dollar 1938-D

Rare Walking Liberty Half Dollars for Sale on eBay:

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1921 S WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR SILVER RARE KEY Latest Price:   US $149.95

1916 S Rare US Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50 Cents Silver Coin 4766 Latest Price:   US $36.39

1918 D Rare No Initial US Walking Liberty Half Dollar 50 Cents Silver Coin 4773c Latest Price:   US $24.69

1918 D WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR SILVER RARE Latest Price:   US $18.95

1938 D WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR SILVER RARE KEY Latest Price:   US $124.95

1919 D WALKING LIBERTY HALF DOLLAR SILVER RARE Latest Price:   US $44.95

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By analysing completed eBay Auctions of various Gold coins over the last 90 days I have calculated a collectible coins value or score for different Gold coins based on the average selling price of the coin and the average number of bids for that coin so that….

Total Selling Price x Average Bids per Listing = Collectible Coin Score

Collectable coins are coins that are of high value and with a high popularity (high number of bids)

For example a 5 dollar gold coin that sells at $1000 on average and gets 5 bids on average would have a lower collectable coin score then a coin worth $2000 that gets the same number of bids. This is because expensive coins that appreciate in value by say 20% are of greater value to coin collectors then cheap coins that appreciate by the same amount. Also rare collectible coins tends to get a higher number of bids on average.

1. Chinese Panda Gold Coin
Score: 12,986

Coin Statistics over 90 Days
Average Selling Price: $1,196
Average Shipping: $ 12
Listings over 90 Days: 4
Average Bids per Listing: 10.75
Typical eBay Listing

2. $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle
Score: 12,807

Coin Statistics over 90 Days
Average Selling Price: $1,424
Average Shipping: $ 15
Listings over 90 Days: 211
Average Bids per Listing: 8.9
Typical eBay Listing

3. $20 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin
Score: 11,875

Coin Statistics over 90 Days
Average Selling Price: $1,414
Average Shipping: $15
Listings over 90 Days: 108
Average Bids per Listing: 8.31
Typical eBay Listing

4. 1oz American Buffalo Gold Coin
Score: 11,252

Coin Statistics over 90 Days
Average Selling Price: $1,396
Average Shipping: $14
Listings over 90 Days: 56
Average Bids per Listing: 7.98
Typical eBay Listing

5. 1oz South Africa Krugerrand Gold Coin
Score: 8,798

Coin Statistics over 90 Days
Average Selling Price: $1,223
Average Shipping: $11
Listings over 90 Days: 30
Average Bids per Listing: 7.13
Typical eBay Listing

6. $10 Liberty Head Eagle Gold Coin
Score: 6,369

Coin Statistics over 90 Days:
Average Selling Price: $678.13
Average Shipping: $9.65
Listings over 90 Days: 255
Average Bids per Listing: 9.26
Typical eBay Listing

7. $10 Indian Head Eagle Gold Coin
Score: 6,108

Coin Statistics over 90 Days:
Average Selling Price: $670
Average Shipping: $8.61
Listings over 90 Days: 259
Average Bids per Listing: 9
Typical eBay Listing

8. 2010 Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coin
Score: 3,273

Coin Statistics over 90 Days:
Average Selling Price: $2,276
Average Shipping: $13
Listings over 90 Days: 28
Average Bids per Listing: 1.43

9. 20 Franc Rooster Gold Coin
Score: 2,350

Coin Statistics over 90 Days:
Average Selling Price: $230.05
Average Shipping: $8.32
Listings over 90 Days: 99
Average Bids per Listing: 9.86

10. Swiss 20 Franc Gold Coin
Score: 2,255

Coin Statistics over 90 Days:
Average Selling Price: $238.79
Average Shipping: $7.39
Listings over 90 Days: 255
Average Bids per Listing: 9.16

There are a number of factors that determine the value of a coin. These include rarity, condition, popularity and precious metal content.

Grade

The grade of a coin is the single most important factor that determines the value of a coin and is determined by the condition of the coin. If you are a coin collector being able to grade a coin is an essential skill to have should you fall victim to someone trying to sell you an overvalued and over graded coin.

While coin grading companies abide by the grading standards introduced by the American Numismatic Association many grading services will over grade a coin making it appear more valuable then it really is.

Of course if the coin has been graded by a professional and reliable coin grading service such as ANACS, PCGS, NGC or ICG you can be more confident that the coin has been graded correctly. These services are generally recognized as the most reliable grading services in terms of consistency of their grading and quality of their service.

If you are new to coin collecting I recommend you purchase a graded coin until you can correctly determine the grade of a coin yourself as this is important for determining its value. If you are purchasing coins that have not been graded these are referred to as ‘raw’ coins.

A graded coin will be sealed in a tamper proof slab and contain a label with information about the coins type, denomination, grade, a unique serial number and a machine readable barcode.

The grading of the coin is based on a grading system called the Sheldon Scale. This is a 70 point scale developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1979. Although the Sheldon scale has been modified slightly in recent times it is still the standard for coin grading today and coin grading services use this scale when assigning a grade to a coin.

Rarity

Rarity is another factor that determines the value of a coin. There are two types of rarity – ‘Condition Rarity’ and ‘Absolute Rarity’. ‘Condition rarity’ is determined by how rare a coin is in a particular grade, usually coins in a high grade. A coin could be very common in a worn circulated grade, yet only a few coins may exist in grades higher than MS-64. ‘Absolute Rarity’ is a coin that is rare in any grade and is determined by how many coins were minted and have survived till this day.

I consider ‘Absolute rarity’ or ‘mintage rarities’ as true rarities. This is because they are more likely to increase in value over the long term. If they are key coins in high grades they are even more likely to appreciate in value. Key coins are usually the lowest mintage coins of any given series and so they tend to be rarer. Grade rarity tends to be based more on current fads and there is no telling that a coin regarded as a rare grade will be considered rare in years to come. They therefore may not be the best coins to invest in.

Just because a coin is old does not make it rare. Some Ancient Roman coins that were minted in large numbers can fetch significantly lower prices than rare old coins minted in the 20th century.

If you want to invest in a coin that is likely to go up in value it is best to invest in coins of a high grade that were few were minted and few have survived to the present day. These coins tend to appreciate in value the most particularly if they are made of gold and pre-date 1933. The U.S government recalled gold from its citizens in 1933 during the great depression so coins that pre-date this period are rare. These coins have a history of rising in value even when gold prices do not go up.

Supply and Demand

Supply and demand is another factor that determines the value of an old coin. Supply is determined by how many coins of a particular type have survived to the present day and demand is determined by how many collectors want to buy it

High demand may be caused by a number of factors. A coin may be part of a topical set that is often chosen by collectors or because the coin has historical significance. Some coins are particularly well made with great artistic quality. Coins that are popular and well documented such as the Morgan dollar usually fetch higher prices then less well known Japanese coins that were minted in greater numbers. Demand is not always determined by supply but how popular and well documented it is and its aesthetic qualities.

Precious Metal Content

If a coin contains a precious metal such as gold it can add extra value particularly if it is rare and in good condition. Silver and Gold coins have a proven track record that goes back thousands of years. These coins have intrinsic value because their worth is guaranteed in part by their material. Because the value of metals such as gold, platinum and silver tend to rise in value over time they make a good investment.

Gold coins minted before 1933 are also particularly rare. These coins should rise dramatically in value whether or not gold bullion prices go up and offer you substantial leverage above and beyond their gold value. Also Pre-1933 Rare Coins are, by law specifically exempt from current gold confiscation laws.

Ultimately the only true method of determining the value of your coins is to put them up for sale and see if anyone is willing to buy them. You could try putting them up for sale on online auction sites like eBay. You could always set a minimum starting price or reserve if you’re worried they will sell for too little. Generally coins tend to sell for a bit less then their market price on eBay but sometimes bidders will bid higher.

Identifying foreign coins has not always been an easy task due to the difficulty in translating the language or numbering system into something that is recognizable. Thankfully most old or new foreign coins have a lot in common. They will usually include the date the coin was minted, the denomination and the country of origin. Determining the value of foreign coins is a more difficult task due to factors such as grade, rarity and demand.

If you just want to find out where and when a coin was minted you should analyze the coin for the following characteristics.

Language
While the inscriptions on most coins are usually in the native language of the country where they were minted there are exceptions. These exceptions often include English inscriptions which can be found on many foreign coins from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, India and some Asian and African countries.

While you would expect many old European coins to use their native language, in fact Latin was widely used for inscriptions until the last few centuries. These include old coins from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Peru and Mexico.

Many old coins contain inscriptions in the language of their colonial powers such as Spanish inscriptions on many of the South American countries. French inscriptions can also be found on old Canadian and Belgian coins and on the coins of a number of former French colonies.

If the coin contains a Latin alphabet it should be easier to use online resources or books to do a search when trying to find out where and when a coin was minted. For coins that do not use the Latin alphabet you may have to rely on photographs of typical coins from lots of different countries until you find one that matches. Countries that are geographically and historically linked will often use similar symbols and characters.

Inscriptions on foreign coins have a lettering or writing system that will often fall into a number of distinct families or groups of languages. These may be Arabic, Amharic, Greek, Cyrillic, Krause, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hebrew, Persian and the Indian class of languages.

Date
Dates on foreign coins can be difficult to identify as they may use a different dating system or numerals that are different from our own. You may need to convert the date from the local calendar to a western one. Conversion charts can be used for translating these numerals and the ‘Krause catalogs’ are useful for providing information about numerals from the eastern languages.

If you can obtain the date on a coin you can then identify which Krause catalog to use to narrow down the search. Most coins contain portraits of monarchs or rulers which can be matched to photographs. Knowing the portrait and date of the coin will help establish the time and place where the coin was minted. The next step will be to establish its denomination or face value.

Denomination or Face value
Different countries have different names for fractions of that currency. The Mexican escudo and reales or the American dollar or cent are just two examples. Knowing the denomination of an old foreign coin is not easy as many fractional denominations including the coins themselves that are no longer in existence. However if you have already pinpointed the date and country of origin, finding the denomination of the coin should be a much easier task when you have access to photographs from catalogues or online sources.

Metal Content
The metal content of an old foreign coin can be established by its weight and color. Bronze, brass and copper are brown or red in color and are lighter than gold coins which have a distinctive yellow hue. They are also richer in color and warmer to the touch and do not tarnish so easily.

Most of today’s silvery looking coins use an allow of copper and nickel (cupro-nickel combination). Yellow coins are made from a combination of nickel and brass (Nickel-Brass combination).

Nickel-Brass Coin

Cupro-Nickel Coin