Coins

Rising Gold Prices Are Pushing Nearly All Gold Coin Values Higher

Gold bullion values are even pushing the prices of  numismatic gold coins higher. Clearly, this shows that gold coin prices are touching all aspects of the gold coin market -- not just gold bullion coins.

Knowing how much gold coins are worth is key. Gold coin prices are volatile, sometimes changing significantly over the course of just a day or two.

Gold coin prices vary based upon the coin. For example, bullion coin prices are driven by the bullion market, whereas numismatic gold coin values fluctuate because of relative supply and demand, as well as grading issues.

Getting Kids Involved In Coin Collecting

Getting children involved in coin collecting is not at all difficult. In fact, it seems many kids are generally intrigued by the coins they have in their hands, and they are often quite willing to learn more about them if given the opportunity.

When your child starts noticing things about the coins they find around the house or while you're out and about, that is the time to teach your child about the basics of collecting coins.

Most kids simply need a basic coin folder and some early help by their parents to get their coin collecting hobby going. You can help your child find certain coins and show them different interesting aspects of the design. Your child will also need your help in finding the right coin books to help them gain knowledge.

Soon, as your child grows and learns more about coin collecting, you will be watching a self-sufficient numismatist doing all of their own research, coin-finding, coin buying and selling at a coin dealer.

Take the time to share in the hobby with your child, especially if coin collecting is something you enjoy, too. One of the great things about coin collecting is that it is a hobby which can last a lifetime and help bridge gaps between generations.

Cameo Proof Coins & Deep Cameo Proof Coins

Have you ever heard of a cameo proof coin?

Are you wondering how a cameo proof coin is different from  an ordinary proof coin?

What about the difference between cameo proof coins and deep cameo proof coins?

Here's how to tell the difference between all of these types of proof coins...

Continue reading: Cameo Proof Coins

U.S. Marshals Commemorative Coin Proposed

The U.S. Marshals, who became our nation's first law enforcement agency 225 years ago, may soon appear on a U.S. commemorative coin. The proposal has to first clear the U.S. Senate, though.

And while law enforcement may make an appearance on a commemorative coin soon, the military already has been honored on several commemorative coins over the last century, including:

• 1925 Stone Mountain half dollar
• 1937 Battle of Antietam half dollar
• 1993 50th Anniversary of World War II $5 gold coin
• 2002 West Point Bicentennial silver dollar

Girl Scout Coin Bill Signed, Approving 350,000 Silver Dollars in 2013

It's now official: the Girl Scout commemorative coin bill that Congress approved recently has now been signed by President Obama.

As a result, 350,000 Girl Scout silver dollars will be struck in 2013. Furthermore, $10 from each sale will benefit the Girl Scouts of USA. That money will go toward renovations for the Julliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia.

Don't forget, commemorative coins from earlier years honoring other people, places, and events can be purchased from most any coin dealer.

Some other modern commemorative coins include:

• 1982 George Washington half dollar
• 1986 Statue of Liberty half dollar, silver dollar, and $5 gold coin
• 1995-96 Olympic coins
   

U.S. Mint Now Selling Proof Buffalo Gold Coins

It took a while, but the U.S. Mint has finally released the proof Buffalo Gold coin!

This coin contains one ounce of 24-Karat gold. The price is currently set at $1,360, but if gold falls below $1,000 an ounce, the slaes price for the proof Buffalo gold coin will fall to $1,260.

Buffalo gold coins have been struck since 2006. They have quickly become one of the most popular gold coins of the modern era.

2010 Lincoln Bicentennial Cent - What Will The New Penny Look Like?

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial cents are currently being struck by the United States Mint. But collectors and the U.S. Government are already looking toward 2010, when the U.S. Mint will begin minting Lincoln cents with a brand new, permanent design on the reverse (tail's side) of the penny.

As you may have heard, the old Lincoln Memorial reverse image, which was designed by Frank Gasparro and struck on the penny from 1959 through 2008, will no longer be used on the one-cent coin.

In 2009, 4 different reverse designs are being used to honor the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln.

However, when the last of the 4 special 2009 designs no longer is struck, a new design will be used on the reverse of the Lincoln cent.

Continue reading: The Look Of The New Penny In 2010

Rare Lincoln Cents Make Completing A Collection Challenging

Lincoln cents have to be the most popular of all American coins ever made. Among the most widely collected coins, the Lincoln cent actually makes a very challenging series to complete, with several expensive and scarce - even rare - key coins to acquire for a complete set. Some of the rare and scarce Lincoln cents include:

1909-S VDB
1914-D
1922 no-D

There are several other rare and scarce Lincoln cents. Rare Lincoln cent values have been increasing for decades due to shear demand, but now - thanks to the popularity of the Lincoln Bicentennial cents - Lincoln cents have seen some price increases across the board.



 

Altering U.S. Coins Is Illegal - Coin Scamming Suspect Caught

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), along with the police, took down an alleged coin scammer when the third-party coin grader found genuine coins that had been cut in half, purported as rare coins, and then placed into tampered coin slabs.

This goes to show 2 things:

• Trying to pass altered common coins as rare is illegal (though you probably already knew that!)
   
• Third-party grading companies (like PCGS) really know their stuff. They can detect suspicious coins that many novices and other numismatic civilians would not.

Slabbed coins, graded coins, and encapsulated coins -- which all generally refer to the same type of coin -- is the kind of coin that has been graded and authenticated by a third-party company, like PCGS.

A third-party company is an independent body which examines coins (for a fee). As long as the coin is genuine (and, for most graders, not damaged), the coin will be inserted into a tamper-evident plastic holder.

Gold Scam - Watch Out For Gold Coin Buying Scams

You may have seen the ads on TV of places offering you money if you send them your gold. Watch out. An investigative report indicates some gold companies may  not be offering you all that your gold is worth. Consider the case of one person who was offered just $20 for a gold rolex watch, or another person offered only $45 each for 3 one-ounce gold coins.

Before you sell your gold coins, you need to take a look at a coin price guide to know how much you should expect to get paid. That way, you will get a fair price. Most classic U.S. gold coins are worth $200 to $1,000, and even the tiniest U.S. Gold Eagle (1/10th ounce) is worth at least $115 right now.