For example, you might search, “1956 silver coin with woman in crown facing left,” or, “old copper coin with cross and eagle on it. ” If the coin isn’t in English, see if you can identify the language first. Search online to find the specific language on your coin. If there is no date on the coin and it has a really rough texture, you probably have a hammered coin, which are generally very rare and expensive. Contact an appraiser to identify the coin.
These catalogues are easy to find online. Numista offers a very comprehensive option.
If you don’t feel like downloading an app, you can also upload a photo to Coins Catalog to reverse search for the coin. Once you have the coin identified, you may want to download the PCGS CoinFacts app. Coin collectors love this one. It contains tons of info about price, history of the coin, etc.
If you do want to have a coin cleaned, talk to an professional coin dealer or appraiser first. Some coins are indeed worth more when they’re cleaned, but it depends on how they’re cleaned.
Coins that were never used are known as uncirculated coins. These tend to fetch high prices and should have very little wear and tear. Coins are rated from mint (perfect) condition, all the way down to poor (dirty or damaged).
People will post all kinds of wild prices to get a deal. The recently sold coins will give you a much better sense for what the market is paying for your coin.
The “book” value (a generally accepted value of the coin). The “buy” value (what a dealer would pay to buy the coin from you). The retail value (what a dealer would sell a coin to a customer for). The wholesale value (what a dealer might sell the coin to another dealer for, especially when several coins are sold together).
You can find the nearest numismatics club by looking through the American Numismatics Association directory. Don’t feel awkward reaching out to one of these clubs. Bringing old coins to a numismatic group is like bringing fresh baked goods over to Cookie Monster. They’ll enjoy helping you!
Almost all coin dealers have the skill to appraise coins. Just don’t let them know you want to sell it ahead of time so that they give you an honest opinion. If possible, use a PCGS-certified appraiser. These coin dealers tend to be the most reputable. [10] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
The PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) are the two most reputable coin grading services out there. In coin collecting, there is no alternative to these two organizations. The PCGS is generally considered much more reputable than the NGC, but their services tend to be pricier. It’s not like NGC’s appraisals are bad or anything, they just tend to be a little less thorough.
