Believe it or not, coin collecting is actually becoming a very popular hobby. It's definitely not as popular as sports like basketball and football, but coin collecting has actually managed to create a subculture of sorts among the American population and around the world. In fact, collectors prefer some coins to others, sometimes because of price, sometimes because of ease. The most popular US coins to collect tend to be the ones we see most often and last the longest.
By far, US dollars are the most popular among collectors. The rarest US dollars also double as the world's most valuable coins. Morgan dollars, dated 1878 to 1921, are some of the most sought after coins that are still at a reasonable price range. The oldest US dollars collectors look for are called Early Dollars, and they are dated 1794 to 1804. Needless to say, these coins are some of the most expensive. They can cost over $100 without any problem. Some reach around $1000 with competition in the bidding process, and a select few rise up to over $50000. The most common US dollars we will see are Sacagawea dollars, which were first issued starting at the turn of the 21st century.
US quarters happen to be a popular place to start among the younger coin collectors. It's easy to collect these quarters, because these collections start with the 50 states and then move into other quarters. US quarter collections also have a considerable amount of depth because they don't stop at just the 50 states. They can then move into categorizing by year and then by different errors and marks like regular coins. The US Mint released commemorative quarters for five states every year from 1999 to 2008. US territories received commemorative quarters in 2009.
Surprisingly, nickels are also quite popular. Jefferson nickels, which were issued by the US Mint starting in 1938, are the most popular nickels to collect. Jefferson nickels last a very long time, unlike other coins, so they are also great ways to start for younger coin collectors. Currently, every single year's Jefferson nickel from 1938 to present day, with the exception of 1943 to 1945 (war nickels were issued during this time), can be found in regular circulation. You can begin collecting Jefferson nickels simply by checking circulated nickels that you come across every day. Collectors value uncirculated Jefferson nickels (usually found supplied from banks) rarely above or below face value.
As you can see, collecting US coins is a great way to start before moving into international currency and other sorts of coins. The interesting history of the US Mint makes it captivating to learn about the various coins of the United States and its history during those times.
Keeping coins safe and in good condition is just as important as finding and/or buying them in the first place. Most of the time, coins aren't just a straight piece of a metal. They are nearly always a combination of multiple metals (the amount of metals like gold and silver can affect the overall value of the coin) and are composed a way that might be hard to maintain. For example, pennies aren't straight pieces of copper, nor are they straight pieces of a combination. Pennies starting from 1982 are actually a zinc core with a covering of copper. Meaning, if mix an acid that only corrodes zinc, you will be left with a shell of copper. This change was made because of the varying prices of zinc and copper.
One of the most important things to remember is to not wash coins too many times. Really the only time a wash is appropriate is when you give a light wash when first examining the coin, as circulated coins have passed through many hands and come in contact with a large variety of different objects and places. Not surprisingly, many diseases can be transferred by coins if care is not taken. Washing coins excessively will slowly wear away at the outside, subsequently rubbing away at the design as well. Most of the time, rusts, tarnishes, and other changes to the metal itself will not be able to be washed off, and any attempts to do so will be detrimental to the coin itself. If anything seems to be washable, it is probably removable without the use of water.
To store your coins, you can either make your own display, which at best will allow contact with mere tape and cardboard, or you can purchase coin folders. Coin sleeves are also designed to keep coins safe and sound. These guys are made of vinyl and also make great coin displays. When handling coins, be careful, as excessive contact will damage the coin. It is suggested that you wear cotton gloves while handling coins and keep any contact to the coin limited to softer surfaces. Rougher surfaces will obviously scratch the coin (don't want this).
In general, keep your coins exactly the way that they looked when you first received them. Chances are that any sort of change will not be a good one (it doesn't seem possible that you can improve the state of a coin). Make sure any surface that comes in contact with the coin is softer. If you're not sure, you can try to scratch a coin that has little or no extra value beyond face value; the metallic composition should have no drastic deviation from the coin at stake.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...The used to be "rare" 1943 copper penny has been given a huge blow to its price due to a recent discovery. The man whom has the lot of pennies is now flooding the market with them at his ease. ""side note before the discovery he had sold several "RARE" coins for thousands of dollars each."" Just proves sometimes "RARE" isn't always as it seems. I now have 15 "rare" 1943 copper pennies, that's almost as many as they thought had existed completely. LOL I could of been rich!... ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...change in my pocket, I started thinking about other coins, especially the quarter and the dollar. In this I was aided (abetted?) by my old friend Joe K. and by the US Mint itself, which has an excellent website (www.usmint.gov). The mint's facts and Joe's opinions have kept me sputtering along since the last wonk." A video blog by Jerry Shea, UNM professor emeritus. From the original blog at MacInstruct.com, Aug. 5, 2008. ... quarter dollar coin penny nickel US Mint Legal Tender ... ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...View as we open one of the rolls from a large Lincoln Wheat Cent Roll hoard from a extensive coin collection ... US Coins Coin Collection Wheat Pennies Cent Penny Old Videos ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...My coin collection pt. 14 ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...Next year, the penny will be getting not just one new look but four of them, the first changes to the 1-cent coin in 50 years. The US Mint unveiled the new designs during a ceremony Monday at the Lincoln Memorial. The coin changes are part of the government's commemoration next year of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Lincoln's profile will reman on one side of the coin but the Lincoln Memorial will be replaced on the other side by the new images, with a different one being ... ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coinsnews and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...My mom's bible times coin... ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...My coin collection pt. 5 ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
Stay updated with all the latest US rare coins news and listings by subscribing to our RSS feed and bookmarking us. Now, on to the video...Relics, Native American Artifacts, Old Silver Coins, or even Fossils out on the beach. Wherever you may find us, you'll definitely in store for a great show! We use White's MXT Metal Detectors, Sunray DX-1 Pinpointers, Drop-Clothes, Lesche Shovels and Tools, Drop Clothes, etc. Stay Tuned for future episodes where you will find us revisiting our newly found Civil War Winter Hut Site as we properly recover artifacts over 140 years old! ... Metal Detecting treasure gold civil war relics coins ... ...Check back tomorrow for more old us coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.
