Defining each category is relatively easy: vintage coins are generally considered to be 1964 and earlier, while modern coins are usually 1965 and after. However, there are more differences between these categories than just the dates of the coins.
US dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were minted in 90% silver until 1964. Produced to save nickel for the war effort, war nickels 1942-1945 are 35% silver (silver nickel production started part way into 1942). Half-dollar coins minted between 1965 and 1970 are 40% silver, but from 1971 on, contain no silver.
On July 23, 1965, President Johnson approved the Coinage Act of 1965, which removed silver from circulating coins and authorized that clad coins be used for the half dollar, quarter, and dime. On December 31, 1970, President Richard M.
The age of a coin is the most obvious contributing factor of the coin's value, but it is not the most important. Furthermore, just because a coin is old doesn't necessarily mean it's valuable. For example, many foreign coins from the early 1800's are only worth a few dollars.
1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar: $13,311,850
But over two centuries later, this rare coin has achieved the status as the most expensive coin in the world. The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first US silver dollar coin, minted from 1794 to 1795.
Hire a professional appraiser to grade your coins and tell you how much it is worth. The American Society of Appraisers and International Society of Appraisers have searchable directories of professional appraisers. A dealer might also be able to help.
Invest in American History. Most coins minted in the United States before 1965 were 90% silver and 10% copper. Silver at the time was a cost-effective way to produce coins that were both durable and attractive. All other U.S. denominations other than pennies and nickels at one time were struck using 90% silver.
The term “90% silver” is a short way for investors, collectors, and buyers to refer to pre-1965 dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins, as a group. The term also serves to differentiate these coins from post 1964 coinage.
The American Silver Eagle is the only coin on the list that is 99.9% pure silver.
We can rely on these data to suggest that in ten years, Silver can grow to a minimum of $150 an ounce from the current price of $20.75 an ounce. On the upside, it could reach up to $750 an ounce if the conditions are right. These are all highly realistic in the long term.
Inspect the Edge of Your Coins
The best way to determine if your coins are silver is to view the edge of the coin. If the coin has a solid silver stripe, then you can feel confident that it's silver. If you can see a copper stripe, then the coin is clad.
Roosevelt and Mercury Dimes, Washington Quarters, and Walking Liberty Franklin and Kennedy Half-Dollars minted in 1964 and earlier are 90% silver. The value of most circulated coins minted in the 1920′s through 1964 is primarily from their silver content. Remember, this is for the most common material.
Created over 2,700 years ago, but now located in the British Museum, is the Lydian Lion, the oldest coin in the world. It is a one-sided design featuring a roaring lion, the emblem of the Lydian Kings who created it around 610-600 BC.
CoinFacts (PCGS mobile app)
Many coin collectors say the first place to start for any coin collector or enthusiast is with PCGS — offering a variety of different coin-collecting apps for both iOS and Android. PCGS claims they're the industry standard for grading and valuing coins.
Junk silver coins are typically referred to as 90% silver dimes, quarters and half dollars minted in 1964 or earlier, but technically they can refer to any government issued silver coins for general circulation that are primarily bought and sold for their silver content.
Because junk silver often has little or no collector value, it holds intrinsic value exclusively because of its silver content. Regardless of market trends for collectible coins, the silver inside of a junk coin will always be valuable.
American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins are coins whose weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government. They're also allowed in an IRA. Each coin contains a minimum of one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. The obverse design of the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins is based on Adolph A.
Auctions: your can sell silver coins at an online or in-person auction, but they may not sell for as much as they are worth. Plus, auctions can be timely processes as you must wait for the highest bidder. Pawn shops: you can sell silver coins at pawn shops, but you should be aware of some issues before you do.
Since 90 percent silver coins are older and no longer officially minted, they can be worth much more than their actual face value. For example, an 1894-S Barber dime has a stated value of nearly $2 million. In this instance, the reason is because only 24 of these silver coins were made.
Most of the nearly two billion 1965 quarters that were minted did circulate. The true rarities are the “transitional metallic errors” minted on 90% silver planchets by mistake. 12-24 or so may exist. Very high-grade uncirculated 1965 quarters may also be loosely considered rare.
Kennedy half-dollar coins are not very rare and most of them are worth only their face value of 50 cents. However, some are more valuable, depending on the year they were minted and their condition. For example, a Kennedy half-dollar coin minted in 1970 and in uncirculated condition is worth about $8.
Place your coins in a bowl and pour enough white vinegar to cover the coins. Let the coins soak for at least 30 minutes but no longer than overnight. Remove the coins and gently scrub the residue with the toothbrush. Rinse the dirt off with water and dry with a cloth.
Old coins are a common item in many antique shops. Where to find coins? Places that are generally empty, overlooked, or not often frequented such as abandoned houses, attics, beneath bridges, and posthole banks are sometimes a good place to look.