What Makes a Coin Valuable?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:05:49 -0400

Numismatics, or coin collecting, is a popular hobby. Whether you search through spare change for state quarters, gather coins from specific years or purchase proofs as an investment, collecting can provide the opportunity to learn more about the history of our country. Coins usually have value as currency on the street, but how can a new collector learn what, if any, additional value may be attached to his or her collection. Surprisingly enough, age isn’t the only feature that makes coins valuable. In the United States, coins are valued based primarily on the scarcity of the item and its condition. For Modern U.S. coins like the American Eagle silver coin, this is even more true. What makes a coin scarce? Several factors, but often there is a strong historic tie. For example, almost any coin in recognizable condition that was minted in San Francisco in 1870 would be considered very valuable. This is because 1870 was the first year of operations for the San Francisco location so relatively few coins were produced. A more extreme case can be found by the 1933 Sain-Gaudens Double Eagle coin. This was the year President Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard. **End Summary** Topics: American Eagle silver coin]]> uncirculated coins]]> state quarte]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Daniel Wareham has been a long-time coin collector and a coin dealer since 1999. He has a special interest in US coins, and has a successful coin trading business where Modern US coins like the American Eagle silver coin may be purchased at http://www.bmgtrading.com.

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What Makes a Coin Valuable?