I have recently acquired some old coins such as Canadian half pennies, pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars and American coins such as nickels, dimes, half dimes, pennies, quarters(quarter dollar)
Some of these coins date to the mid 1800s.
I have no idea if these coins have any monetary value but would appreciate any input. I am NOT a computer wizard and am having difficulty looking this up on the Internet.
2007-10-15 07:57:20 · 5 answers · asked by Mom 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Without seeing pictures it's very difficult for anyone to give you a good answer. Many factors play in to how much your coins are worth (i.e. condition, scarcity, mint marks, current market demand, etc.)
1 - Take your coin to a local coin dealer (trustworthy ones can be found - shop around). It never hurts to get a second opinion. They will be able to tell you so much more by evaluation the condition of the coins. They will also know the amount minted and what it is going for in today's market.
2 - Try posting pictures on this website (there are many experts here that can help you evaluate it - there also may be people willing to buy if you are trying to sell):
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp
3 - Repost this question and include pictures. You can use websites like http://www.photobucket.com and include the link in your question.
Good luck!
P.S. You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.
When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.
Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.
If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!
I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.
2007-10-15 12:18:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without the dates and denominations on the Canadian coins and the date, denomination, as well as mint mark if any on the U.S. coins, no one can help much. There are only pay sites that can help you as well as a few people here, and coins dealers. The Canadian coins must go to a dealer that actually deals in them for most U.S. dealers have no clue as to what you have. Don't feel bad about the computer whiz bit for you are not alone, I collect coins and with the help of search engines and nice people at library's or historical societies, have found out a lot about things I have found that are not coins, but fall into that realm, for they are medals and tokens. i could help if I knew what you actually had.
2007-10-15 14:29:33 · answer #2 · answered by Taiping 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without specific information about type of coin, date and condition it is impossible to give you a ball park value.
You could go to a library and see if they have any reference books on Canadian and US Coins. "CoinValues", a monthly magazine for US coins, should be available in most bookstores. You could look for a recent copy of the "Red Book" too. This is the basic reference book that almost all US coin collectors start with.
Canadian collectors would have similar reference books.
2007-10-15 11:46:56 · answer #3 · answered by BD in NM 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are well circulated they have little value unless they are extremely rare. Old does not make coins valuable, condition and rarity do.
2007-10-15 10:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alright, I see what's going on here. I agree with "Jack Legg" then. hee hee.
2016-05-22 19:25:53 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋