rare coins - The Fun Times Guide to U.S. Coins

The 1955 Poor Man’s Doubled Die Penny

Lincoln cent collectors everywhere have several coins that they strive to have in their collections, with the 1955 doubled die penny being among the elite list of rare pennies that they seek. However, with estimates that there are roughly only 15,000 or so 1955 doubled die pennies available today, there simply aren’t enough to satisfy the demands of all Lincoln penny collectors. And, there is that price thing, too… You’re looking at spending $1,000 to $1,500 even for a well-worn … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: error coins, Lincoln cents, pennies, rare coins

One Of The Rarest Coins In The World: The 1933 Gold Double Eagle

One of the most rare and well-known coins in all of U.S. history is the 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle -- a $20 gold coin that, by several accounts, shouldn't even be in existence. It is the rarest and most valuable coin in the world, designed by a famed sculptor at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. It should never have been minted. And, for decades, the U.S. government has fought to keep a surviving few out of private hands. Source In the 1930s, during the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: gold coins, rare coins, U.S. Mint

Old Lincoln Cents You Can Still Find In Pocket Change

First struck in 1909, tens of billions of Lincoln pennies have made their way to pockets, purses, and piggy banks all across the land. Because Lincoln cents are so numerous and also very inexpensive (after all, their face value is only one cent!), they have become one of the most widely collected United States coins ever made. In fact, it's perfectly safe to say that Lincoln cents are the most popular collectible coin. Some of the allure of collecting Lincoln pennies is searching pocket … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: Lincoln cents, pennies, pocket change, rare coins, wheat pennies

The Silver Trime: United States 3-Cent Coins

The trime... the name surely sounds much like dime. Well, in terms of small-diameter coins, the trime and dime are pretty much relatives. However, in terms of buying power, a dime is more than 3 times as strong as the trime. That's because a trime is a silver 3-cent piece! Let's find out some fun info about America's 3-cent coin. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: rare coins, silver coins, U.S. Mint

5 Popular Wheat Penny Error Coins

It seems everybody likes collecting Lincoln wheat pennies. Wheat cents, which were last made in 1958, show the familiar image of President Lincoln on the obverse and two stalks of wheat, signifying prosperity, on the reverse. While tens of millions of these Lincoln wheat pennies were made without flaw from 1909 to 1958, there were several which ended up with errors that eventually turned them into valuable and sought-after collectibles. Let's take a look at 5 of the most popular wheat … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins, `Popular Tagged With: error coins, Lincoln cents, rare coins, wheat pennies

10 Cheap & Famous Coins That You’ll Want In Your Coin Collection

There are many famous rare U.S. coins that attract the attention of coin collectors around the world, but what about famous coins that aren't rare? I'm talking about coins that, despite not being worth tons of money, still have managed to grab the spotlight and are among the coins that most coin collectors vie to have in their coin collections simply because they're important, famous, or popular. Here's a list of 10 such famous coins that surely deserve a spot in your coin collection. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coin Collecting 101, Hobbies & Crafts Tagged With: bicentennial quarters, budget coin collecting, dollar coins, Kennedy coins, Lincoln cents, pennies, quarters, rare coins, silver coins, state quarters

155 Years Of The Small Cent: Rare Pennies Worth Looking For

Where were you in 1856? OK, consider that a trick question. But can you tell me where the small penny was in 1856? How about you answer that with 'first being minted for mass circulation!' That's right. The small cent was officially struck for the first time in 1856, and that means this iconic coin is now over 155 years old. Let's take a brief look at the small penny and some of the rare pennies that'll keep you searching your pocket change and coin dealers' cases for an example … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: Indian Head pennies, Lincoln cents, pennies, pocket change, rare coins

5 Good Movies Featuring Coins & Coin Collections

Looking for some good movies featuring coins or coin collecting?Well, you're in luck! There are plenty of good films where coins and coin collections are the unbilled actors.Check out these 5 films that are sure to find their way to your list of blockbuster faves! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fun With Coins, Hobbies & Crafts Tagged With: buffalo nickels, rare coins

Bust Dimes: Rare Coins From The 1800s

The dime has been an integral part of commerce since the 1790s, when the dime was first created for use in the United States. In 1796, the Draped Bust dime became the very first official dime created for widespread use in the nation. All Bust dimes are scarce, though the earliest ones have become quite rare. Let's take a look at the fascinating Bust dime series. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: dimes, rare coins

5 Tips For Handling An Estate Collection Of Coins

Handling an estate collection can be one of the most difficult things you'll ever have to do. However, being responsible for securing the sale or disbursal of a large coin collection doesn't have to be hard.While I'm not a lawyer and have no training in legal issues, I'm a longtime coin collector and would like to offer you some tips that you may find helpful if you're in a situation where you're having to handle issues surrounding an estate coin collection.The advice I offer assumes you have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies & Crafts, Rare U.S. Coins Tagged With: books about coins, buying or selling coins, coin auctions, coin dealers, coin folders, gold coins, proof sets, rare coins, silver coins