Rare Coin Values – How To Tell If Your U.S. Coin Is Valuable

by

Joshua

Coin Collecting 101, Hobbies & Crafts

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“What’s my coin worth?”

That’s the question to which everyone wants an answer.

Here's how to determine the grade (or condition) of your coin. Plus, how to find that coin's real value... an amount that you could get from someone else.

While it may seem like a fairly easy type of inquiry to get a helpful response to, sometimes it can take a really good evaluation of the coin by a professional coin dealer to determine your coin’s value accurately.

You see, when determining the value of a coin, the appraiser must consider not only the date and denomination of the coin, but also what condition it is in, what the value of the metal is, the relative scarcity of the coin, and other issues.

Judging the value of a coin is often a highly sensitive process, and there are very few coins that come with “stock” values.

Therefore, when somebody asks a question like “What is my 1902 Indian penny worth?” it truly is difficult and even unfair to you for anybody to give you an answer without first seeing it in person for a true, accurate appraisal.

While accurate price quotes are essentially impossible without physically inspecting the coin in person, it is possible to decide what value range your coin may fall into — based on some basic average prices often realized in the everyday coin market.

First, Determine The “Grade” Of Your Coin

The best way to find out if your coins are valuable is to purchase a good coin pricing book — like A Guide Book of United States Coins, by R.S. Yeoman and Kenneth Bressett.

This Whitman Publications book (widely referred to as The Red Book) is updated annually and contains average pricing information for all U.S. coins dating back to the Colonial era. I like it because in addition to listing coin values, it also offers basic coin grading information to help you determine the condition of your coin.

You could also buy one of the several coin magazines with pricing guides. Coins Magazine and COINage Magazine are 2 popular periodicals that have some pricing charts, as well as many informative articles pertaining to coins, coin values, and coin news.

If you want to keep your coin value hunting to the Internet, I recommend perusing websites that offer coin grading advice.

These are the best coin grading apps that make it easy to find the grade of a coin.

Next, Find A Reputable Coin Dealer

Once you get some ideas as to approximately what your coin might grade, it’s time to look for a reputable coin dealer in your area (or online).

Take the time to look at several coin dealers’ catalogs — to get a general idea as to what the average price on the street seems to be for the coin you have.

You could also look at the price guide on the Professional Coin Grading Service website for some insight as to your coin’s real value.

Here’s what to expect when visiting a coin dealer for the first time.

Finally, Before You Sell Your Coin

If you are wanting to sell your coin, realize 2 things:

  • Your coin will likely net you only about half to two-thirds the value of the prices you see for the same coin listed for sale; and
  • The buying coin dealer may spot problems with your coin that will legitimately lower the value of your coin. (This is why it is particularly important that you understand the idea of coin grading and knowing that even the tiniest nick or scratch on a coin can drastically reduce its value.)

Some great tips for how and where to sell your coins (online or in person).

One Last Thing…

Do NOT clean your coins!

Cleaning a coin almost always renders it uncollectable to most numismatists. Collectors generally prefer coins to be left in their original, unadulterated state.

If you must… then these are the safest ways to clean coins.

READ NEXT: How To Find Old Rare Coins In Circulation

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54 thoughts on “Rare Coin Values – How To Tell If Your U.S. Coin Is Valuable”

  1. DEAR FRIEND I HACE 5 CENTS COIN THAT SEEM LIKE DEFECTIC IN FABRICATION…IS ONLY HALF IMPRESS AND THE OTHER STAY VIRGIN…OR FLAT…..IS A VALUABLE COIN?…ricardocampa21@yahoo.com

    Reply

  2. i have a 1953 D Wheat penny. i have no clue how to find its woth
    i also have a 1940 Nickel that i do not know the worth of

    Reply

    • Hi, Jordan —

      A 1953-D Lincoln cent is worth 5 to 8 cents while your 1940 Jefferson nickel has a value of about 10 cents.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

  5. I have a collection of pennies 1902 indian head penny, 1906 indian head penny, 1920 wheat penny, 1927 wheat penny, 1935 wheat penny, 1936 wheat penny, 1938 wheat penny, 1939 wheat penny, 1941 wheat penny, 1942 wheat pennies, 1944 wheat pennies, 1945 penny, 1946 wheat pennies, 1948 wheat penny, and I have pennies from every year in the 1950’s are they worth anything good?

    Reply

    • Hi, Lora —

      Unless they are in mint condition, they are worth face value. They are highly collectible though!

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

      • So I have another question. We moved into my finances grandfathers house and found a two dollar bill dated 1892 and a twenty dollar bill dated 1918. What are the values of these two items if any. Thanks lora

        Reply

        • Hi, Lora —

          Great finds! While I’m not an expert on paper currency, I can tell you that all large-size U.S. currency is very collectible and can be quite valuable. I’m not finding any information about an 1892 series $2 bill, and as far as I know none were made. Perhaps it is an 1891? I know they are worth $150 and up for pieces in worn but undamaged condition.

          1918 $20 bills are worth around $300 and up, and are worth more if the serial number ends with a star. I strongly advise that you take these to a coin dealer (not a pawn shop or jewelry store) if you’re interested in selling them. While I believe they are authentic given that you found them at your grandfather’s home and they have probably been there for decades, there’s always that outside chance they are replicas.

          Best of luck!
          Josh

          Reply

          • Thank you very much. It is a 1891 two dollar bill. I will find someone and see what they are worth. Thanks for your help.

  7. I have 1/2 cents Straits Settlement 1872 with a H at the bottom neck of Victoria Queen. How much do it value right now ? Darken condition

    Reply

    • Hi, Dr. Bear —

      As you would guess, authenticity and grade/condition are everything when it comes to any coin’s value. Assuming your coin is real and well worn but not cleaned, I’d start the value on the low-ball end at $10. I’ve seen many of these coins sell for more than $300 in lightly circulated condition. Whatever you do, please DON’T clean the coin. That will only ruin it, as well as its value.

      Good luck,
      Josh

      Reply

  8. I’ve come in to what I believe is an old Greek coin as well as three smaller Greek or roman coins. None have been cleaned and two of them are in alright condition. Especially the large Greek one. All found in Karnak, Egypt. Is there any way you could point me in the right direction to figuring out worth and maybe a bit more certainty of what they are?

    Reply

  9. hello joshua i have a couple of old coins. and would like you to help me find out the values of them please and thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi, Victor —

      I’d be glad to help! Would you please submit photos of your old coins?

      Thank you!
      Josh

      Reply

  10. Hi joshua so me and my wife found this coin in a bunch of quarters how do I know what kind of quarter this is?

    Reply

    • Hi, Eric!

      Nice 1964 Washington quarter! This has a 90 percent silver composition and is worth about $4 given current silver values.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

  11. Hello Joshua,
    While doing some digging underneath the porch of my farm house, I found a 1865 2 cent piece. It is rather corroded after being in the sand under the porch. My house was built in 1907.

    Reply

    • Hi, Brap —

      Your golden-colored one dollar coin was made in 2011 (both the date and mintmark are on the edge of the coin) and, if worn, is worth face value. This coin honors a pact made between Plymouth colonists in Massachusetts and the Wampanoag native people in 1621. It was the first treaty made between Native Americans and American settlers.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Jhonatan —

      You have a circulated British World War II Two-Pound coin. It’s worth about $3 U.S.

      Thanks for your question and photos!
      Josh

      Reply

  19. My mom worked for a bank in 1979 the bank just received uncirculated
    Susan b Anthony coins from the mint.while rolling the coins she noticed
    Something odd about one of the coins. The eagle on the back only had
    One leg! Anyone know the worth?

    Reply

    • Hi, Ashish —

      Circulated 1965 quarters are worth face value, and uncirculated specimens have a value of 75 cents to $1 each.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Alejandro —

      The only way a normal (non-error, non-proof) Presidential $1 coin is worth more than face value is if it’s in uncirculated condition. I think yours may be uncirculated based on the presence of strong surface details on the coin’s high points; if it is uncirculated, yours is worth approximately $1.25 to $1.50.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

  24. Hello, thank you for the article and your help! I was wondering if you were able to estimate the worth of these three coins. especially interested in the Chinese one. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/22bafbece4540bc6dde2c111da85ca70668741b55c221ad9d50c8157d2df31e3.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f33781a55226b988f7ea093a93388eae4d3359decb18734edadff086f6775b3a.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/feea2c8d2e136267b7cbd35777a8b053e84a3641d5a6a90643eb2999012fcaf0.png

    Reply

    • Hi, Nemi —

      The top coin is a 1965 British crown honoring Sir Winston Churchill, who had just died. This piece is worth about $2 to $3.

      The Chinese coin is a so-called Dynasty token and is often sold in sets. Individually, these tend to sell for around $3.

      The last piece is a 1906 Jamaican half pence. This one is worth around $5 to $7.

      What a neat trio of coins! Thank you for sharing them here with us.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

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