6 Rare US Coins Reviewed

Monday, October 12th, 2009

While some US coins are rare there are those coins that are among the rarest of all collectible coins. Some may wonder how there can even be rare US coins considering the sheer volume produced over the years. The reason is some coins were not produced in high volume and many coins were recalled and destroyed. Such circumstances eventually created what is today the modern US coin collecting market. Of course, some coins are far scarcer than others with some rare US coins being on the very of extinction. What are some of the rarest of coins? Here is a look at 6 of them:

1849 Coronet Double Eagle. This $20 gold piece remains one the all-time rarest of rare US coins. There is only one left in the entire world. Needless to say, anyone that discovers the second known coin of this minting would also be gaining an acquisition worth millions.

1804 Silver Dollar. There are only 15 known coins remaining out of the many 1804 silver dollars produced. Are here more out there lost somewhere? If so, time will tell and whoever discovers it will certainly be a very lucky collector since the value of these coins is in the millions of dollars.

1913 Liberty Head Nickel. This coin has such a unique tale that it has become somewhat legendary in collector's circles. This coin was ordered discontinued in 1912 but 5 more were made by accident in 1913. One individual collector was able to acquire all 5 of these coins. This became a very treasured acquisition since the person that procured these 5 coins amassed a huge equity over the years. The immense rarity of these coins is what makes them an elusive prize that even those who could afford the millions they are worth still cannot purchase them a treasured prize. Adding to their value is the unique origin that spawned them.

1943 Copper Penny. It is not the copper that makes this particular penny a rarity; it is the inclusion of a bronze alloy. During WWII, bronze was rationed and these pennies were not supposed to include bronze. Of course, accidents do happen and some of these pennies were produced with a bronze alloy. This has allowed them to become a curious and prized collectible item in various collecting circles.

1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Due to the enormous financial disaster that was known as The Great Depression, President Roosevelt was moved to take the US off the gold standard. That necessitated the recall of numerous gold coins so they could be melted down. This coin was one recalled and melted down. However, a small number of these coins remained in circulation. In 1992, one of these coins was sold in an auction for $7 million.

1970 Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Obverse. Not all pennies are worth one cent. This rare 1970 penny is worth $3,000. The minting process that created the "double die obverse" error also created a valuable penny that remains one of the most sought after collectible pennies in history.

Tom runs Coin Collecting Values where you can learn more about rare US coins.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/a-look-at-6-rare-us-coins-1322013.html

Where To Find Rare Coins

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

Some people want to shoot for something that's a bit more fun than the regular circulated coin collection. This is where finding rare coins comes into play. Since rare coins, well, are so rare, coin collecting takes on a new degree of interest and excitement. However, finding these rarer coins gets increasingly more difficult depending on the coin that you're after. These are just some simple ways to find rare coins without having to travel around the world to track one down.

A great way to find rare coins is to take advantage of the fact that owner's probably don't know how rare they are. Try some local flea markets. Chances are that the owners know that there's something special about these coins that might be able to rake in a few more cents than face value, but don't quite know that it might mean much more than that. These are very easy buys. Likewise, you can hit local shops that happen to purchase coins. Some antique and pawn shops will buy these guys, but it's not guaranteed. Check with your local businesses. Of course, if you're at an antique shop, they mostly deal with furniture and adornments, so more easy buys for you.

Ebay: the same concept, but online. With so many listings, there's bound to be a few sellers who also don't quite know how much their coins are worth. They will often put whole collections up (similar to selling stamp collections) for very low prices. Most of the time, the sellers will have already taken out the rarest ones, but from time to time they will be left in. This is where you take them for yourself. Ebay also happens to be a place where people try to sell fakes, so please be careful while browsing and never assume anything.

The third and most obvious way is to check every single darn coin that you come across. Memorize a few marks that make a coin rare, and check for them every time you get some change. Most of the time, you're not going to get anything interesting. However, if you happen to be missing a few years here and there, you're going to fill in those gaps very quickly. It takes just a few minutes a day, and you're never going to have to examine more than ten to fifteen coins at once. You'll be surprised.

Rare coins are everywhere. Don't expect to find a coin worth $7 million any time soon, but you can be sure that whatever coins you're missing in your collection can indeed be found using the three places above. Just keep plowing through the many coins that you see in your life. You're bound to hit one that you need.

You can browse US Coins for sale like the Barber Dime at our website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/where-to-find-rare-coins-1097169.html

Determining the Value of Old Coins

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

When people find coins, they do one of two things: place them in their collection or get the value of the coin and attempt to sell it to other collectors. Usually, getting the value of a coin is complicated. You have to factor in the year of the coin, how many scratches it has, if there are any errors (and if those errors happen to be rare), and any mint marks on the coin. When it comes to older coins, it gets even more complicated because bullion values, demand, rarity, and various design values start coming into play.

First off, the only safe way to finding the value of old coins is to bring it into an expert collector who has been examining the markets for a very long time. Only he/she will know exactly which marks give what value, which years are more valuable, or how special a certain error is. The tricky part about determining value is to believe not what you would pay for it, but what others would pay for it. It's very easy to both over and underprice coins by not understanding this concept.

A very popular factor is rarity, especially in old coins. Because older coins are obviously not in production any longer, more and more are lost or misplaced each year, reducing the number of specimens in existence. Nobody knows just how many exist of each exact coin, but the rarer they are, the more they cost, often times regardless of how old the coin is. Thousand year-old Chinese coins can be worth less than fifty year-old rare error coins because the former is actually very easy to find, while the latter can be worth thousands of US dollars.

A common practice among the black markets of the coin collectors is to offer services where scammers value the coin at a significantly lower price than actual worth, and then offer to purchase the coin at a higher price. They claim that the owner will have a hard time getting rid of it, and will snap it up at a lower price. Be careful of this and related schemes. It's sometimes worth it to get the opinion of multiple people; someone once sold a coin for $5 when it was actually worth $150 because she failed to ask someone else.

Since old coins are now becoming more and more in demand, you must take care when finding the value of old coins. There are guides here and there on roughly how much each quirk about the coin is worth, but only an expert with market experience can give you a straight answer on how much that coin of yours is worth. Most experts won't charge you anything, either, so it's safe to ask them.

You can shop US coins for sale like the Draped Bust half cent at our website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/finding-the-value-of-old-coins-1097182.html

Tips For Safe Handling Of Coins

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

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.

You can find US coins for sale like the Draped Bust dime at our website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/tips-on-handling-coins-safely-1097214.html

John Franklin – Morgan Silver Dollar

Monday, May 25th, 2009

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...1904, and again in 1921, the Liberty Head (Morgan) Dollar is the most collected US coin. More than half a billion were minted, but over 270 million of those were melted by the US Govt. after 1918. The 1878-P Proof is considered the King of the Morgans, because of the 880 proof coins minted that year, only about 80 have been accounted for. The coin derives its nickname from the man who designed it George T. Morgan. ... "Morgan Dollar" "silver dollar" silver "rare coins" ebay "Liberty Head ... ...Check back tomorrow for more us rare coin info and the latest old US coin listings in our coin shop.

What You Need To Know About Coin Values

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

If you are a coin fanatic, there are several things you need to understand about coin collecting prices.  Whether you intend on selling your coins or if you are just collecting for a hobby, the prices do affect you.  Because of this, it is important you understand some information pertaining to coin collecting.

The overall coin market is extremely volatile and is thinly capitalized.  Just as with the stock market significant short-term price swings are always possible.  You are never guaranteed a specific profit or loss from any coin or set you own.  What you need to understand is that you are always buying or selling coins at your own risk.

You will find that coin collecting prices are reviewed and updated daily on various sites.  Most sites will have arrows or some kind of indication to show that the prices for a particular coin or set have fluctuated.  In addition, you will typically be able to find the price changes for the previous day, week, month and year.  This allows you to track the progress and see what your coin(s) are doing.

There are numerous web sites you can look at to determine what prices you can sell your coins at and where you can find other coins for bargain prices.  What you need to understand is that these are not guaranteed prices.  As you go to sell a set or a specific coin, you may find that it is much more difficult to get the price you were asking for.

In addition to the internet, there are several different books that are updated annually and released for purchase.  These books vary in the information and statistics they have to offer.  However, any information is better than none.  It can help you determine what the right price to buy at is and what the appropriate starting selling price is.

As with anything in this world, coin collecting prices are constantly going up and down.  Supply and demand certainly factors into the pricing, but there are several other variations and factors that play a role in the pricing.  Everything from its rarity, how new the coin is, if there is a new set coming out soon, or the overall condition it is in can factor into the price.

Because of this, you really have to take coin collecting prices at a day to day basis.  As they fluctuate in pricing every day you will want to adjust how you sell your coins and what coins you purchase.

 

Tom Lindstrom is a coin collecting expert. For more great information on coin collecting software be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingpennies.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/everything-you-need-to-know-with-coin-collecting-prices-845457.html

How Do You Make Money With Coin Collecting?

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

Believe it or not, it is possible to profit from collecting coins.  People collect coins for a plethora of different reasons.  For some, it is nothing more than a hobby.  But for others it is the perfect investment to take advantage of.  Regardless of the reason, you will find that there are ways you can make money off of your coin collection.

After collecting coins for a certain period of time you will build up a hefty set.  This is the perfect opportunity to start profiting off of your “hobby.”  The first method you can use to make money from your coins is an auction.

Going to a public auction allows you to display your coins in front of a large group of people.  As people view your coins, they will bid on them and you can make a certain amount of money.  The one downside to most auction houses is that many of them have a minimum consignment value.  If yours does not make the cut then you cannot be a part of the auction. 

If this is the case, you will have to find someone else who will be willing to auction away your coins for a lesser value.  This can limit the amount of auction homes you have to choose from.

The next way you can profit from collecting coins is through personal sale.  This is one of the more popular methods used as it can be the quickest way to get money.  What you do need to realize is that there is far more work involved with personal sale as you have to approach countless dealers and hope that they are willing to look at your coins.  It is more of a hit or miss approach as you can make a great deal of money on one sell or you can end up wasting your time while coming back with the same coins.

An easier approach to personal sale is to put an ad in the paper.  All this involves you doing is buying an ad in the paper and then waiting for people to call.  Although you may receive some ridiculous offers, at least it will save you the time of going from dealer to dealer.

The last way you can go about selling your coins is to have your coins taken to a local dealer.  This can be risky if you do not know the dealer, which is precisely why you want to take the time to research and learn more about the dealer’s background.  Your goal is to get the most amount of money possible so that you can actually make a profit off of collecting coins.

No matter what your reasoning was to start collecting coins, it is important you realize you can profit from them.  Take the methods listed in this article into consideration so that you can start making money from your coin collection.

 

 

Tom Lindstrom is a coin collecting expert. For more great information on coin collecting be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingpennies.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/how-can-you-make-money-collecting-coins-845480.html

Rare Coin Collecting: Tips For Maintaining Their Value

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

No matter what type of coins you possess, it is vital you take care of each and every one.  However, if rare coin collecting is what you are into, it is important you take pristine care of your coins.  The last thing you want is to devalue your coins just because you were lazy or did not know how to properly care for them.

If you are going to get into rare coin collecting, you need to store your coins properly to avoid scratching them or allowing scrapes to occur.  There are folders and albums that you can purchase for storing your coins. 

If you are going to use paper envelopes, make sure the materials are suited specifically for coins.  This is especially the case for rare coins.  What many people do not realize I that the chemicals in paper envelopes can cause a reaction while changing the overall color of the coins.

Another option for rare coin collecting protection is plastic flips that are made of mylar and acetate.  These are perfect for long-term storage as they hold up solidly.  It is important you insert your coins carefully though as they can scratch the coin if you are not careful.

If you have a variety of coins that are all of the same size you can purchase tubes that are suitable for bulk storage.  These are also ideal for rare and higher grade coins.  In addition to tubes, you will want to look at hard plastic holders.  The benefit to these is that they do not contain any harmful materials.  They are perfect for protecting your coins from any physical damage.

Yet another option for protection with rare coin collecting is slabs.  Slabs are sealed hard plastic holders that are meant for individual coins.  If you are looking to sell individual coins or simply have coins that are not a part of a set that you want to keep separate, this is perfect for.  The one downside is that slabs are extremely expensive for a protector.  But it may be worth it if your coin is of that much value.

No matter what type of protection or storage method you use, it is important you periodically check on your coins.  If you notice a change in your coin or you notice there are some scratches developing, you will want to remove your collection immediately.  The whole point of rare coin collecting is to keep them in pristine condition to maintain its value.

Tom Lindstrom is a coin collecting expert. For more great information on rare coin collecting be sure to visit http://www.coincollectingpennies.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/rare-coin-collecting-tips-for-maintaining-its-value-845500.html

Why You Need To Consider Your Coin Collection Value

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

The coin collection value is the most important aspect of coin collecting for most collectors. Many people regard coin collecting as an investment, so they need to be updated with market demands. In general, the valuation of a particular coin depends on its condition, mint rarity and denomination which is why collectors must build up their knowledge in these areas.

There are many price guides which are used for referencing by coin collectors. "The Standard Catalog of World Coins" by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler manage to cover coins starting from 1601, all the way down to the present time in five volumes. In the book, coins are identified and their prices are listed.  When trying to determine my coin collection value I have often referred to this publication and can personally recommend it as a good source of information.

A guide book for United States coins called the "Red Book" is published annually and is also a respected authority as a retail price guide. The "Blue Book" and the "Black Book" are also well established price guides to determine the value of a coin and thus the coin collection value. The "Coin Dealer Newsletter", more popularly known as "the Greysheet", is a price guide for coin dealers. The Numismatic News publishes prices for dealers, bidders and retailers. There are even online resources which maintain prices of coins like the "NumisMedia" website and a price guide for U.K. coins maintained by Tony Clayton can be found on his personal website.

As a rule rare coins are more expensive but rarity does not necessarily have to do with the age of the coin. Some Chinese coins which might be a thousand years old do not sell at high rates because they are common. The price of the coin also depends on the demand for the coin. If a lot of collectors want a particular coin, its price will get higher.

Collectors must also think about grade when establishing their coin collection value. Coin grading is a method of assessing the condition of the coin - the grade of the coin has a high determination of the eventual valuation of the coin. If a coin has been damaged its price will be reduced. Similarly, bullion also plays a role in determining value - the presence of precious metals like Gold and Silver increase the price of the coins as well. The aesthetical appeal of the coin has an effect on its price as well; it makes the coin more attractive for the collector. The American Numismatic Association has a 1-70 range for assessing coins, where 70 represents a faultless coin. The Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) are two organizations that go through the meticulous task of grading coins. Coins that have been certified by these reputable organizations have a higher value as their authenticity is more valid and reliable. ICG, Independent Coin Grading, and ANACS, handled by the American Numismatic Association are two other reliable grading services available.

Many people have accumulated tables of coin values which show coin collectors the values of particular coins – these tables can be built up over the course of a lifetime and can prove invaluable when establishing the coin collecting value; they give the collector the knowledge regarding which coins are worthy to be collected. There are also lists of coins worth collecting available with coins that are scarce ranked considerably higher. For example the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent would be one of these coins. Items such as the legendary 1913 "V" nickel can be worth over $100,000. These hefty prices show why so many investors are willing to invest in coin collecting and expect high rates of return to their investments.

Jamie Singer has been collecting coins for a little over 20 years now. He has built up a large collection containing some of the most rare coins to be found. During this time he has built up a wealth of knowledge which he is now sharing on his website http://www.coincollectingrevealed.com/

For more information on the coin collecting value make sure you visit his website.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/why-you-need-to-consider-your-coin-collection-value-812795.html

Ten Dollar Gold Eagle Coin – A Smart Gold Bullion Investment

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Do you have the Ten Dollar Gold Eagle Coin as part of your collection? With the current decline in the economy, now is the best time ever to invest in this piece. As most of the currencies in the world are now declining, gold is steadily increasing.

Just one reason you should make this coin a part of your portfolio now! Adding gold and silver coins to your collection is a safe-haven investment. Gold doesn't corrode, rust, tarnish or dull with age. In fact, it is one purchase you can make that is certain to make you more financially secure in the future. Recently, there has been an unprecedented demand for gold and silver in the United States.

There are few investments these days that are virtually risk free, but collecting gold coins is an exception. Putting together a coin portfolio is one of the safest and most risk free ways you can invest your savings. Of course, the value of your gold coins depend on the uniqueness and rarity of your pieces.

If you are a collector you probably know that in 1933 gold coins ceased to be minted as an attempt to improve the economy during the depression. Most coins were melted, which is the reason for the scarcity and rarity of some of these coins. Why should you include the ten dollar gold eagle coin? It has maintained its worth over a long period of time, and will continue to appreciate in value.

Over time, you will accrue a very valuable portfolio by adding unique and rare coins to your collection. You can actually secure your future by having a good collection of gold and silver coins. Usually, the value will only increase, and your portfolio can be sold at a huge profit. This is the perfect way to insure that you will have a happy, financially stress-free retirement.

Gold is extremely stable in value, and since gold coins are no longer produced it makes sense to secure your pieces as soon as possible. This lets you avoid either paying too high of a price later on, or not being able to get your hands on one at all. No portfolio is truly complete without the ten dollar gold eagle coin - add this must have to your collection!

As always, you can find great deals and selection on Silver and Gold Bullion coins such as the magnificient Ten Dollar Gold Eagle Coin at: ==>
http://BullionBargains.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/ten-dollar-gold-eagle-coin-a-smart-gold-bullion-investment-804993.html