Finding collectible coins has been an interest to many for hundreds (even thousands) of years. So what is it that makes coin collecting such a popular hobby (or even business)? Let’s start off by reviewing the basics of coin collecting for a moment and then we can dig in deeper from there.
Types of Collectible Coins
Whether you are looking to start a new coin collection, or continue an existing one, there are many collectible coins to choose from. There is a coin grading scale that is used by all professional coin grading services (and collectors) to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Since I live in the US, we’ll start there.
Collectible US Coins
The United States has made some beautiful coins throughout the years and many of them have become quite valuable. Here is a list of the primary coins throughout US history:
| Half-CentsBraided Hair Half Cent: 1840-1857 Classic Head Half Cent: 1809-1836 Draped Bust Half Cent: 1800-1808 Liberty Cap Half Cent: 1793-1797CentsLincoln Cent: 1959 to Now Lincoln Wheat Cent: 1909-1958 Indian Cent: 1859-1909 Flying Eagle Cent: 1856-1858 Braided Hair Cent: 1839-1857 Coronet Head Cent: 1816-1839 Classic Head Cent: 1808-1814 Draped Bust Cent: 1796-1807 Flowing Hair Large Cent: 1793-1796Two CentsTwo Cent: 1864-1873Three CentsThree Cent Silver: 1851-1873 Three Cent Nickel: 1865-1889NickelsShield Nickel: 1866-1883 Liberty Nickel: 1883-1913 Buffalo Nickel: 1913-1938 Jefferson Nickel: 1838 to NowHalf DimesBust Half Dime: 1972 Flowing Hair Half Dime: 1794-1795 Draped Bust Half Dime: 1796-1805 Capped Bust Half Dime: 1829-1837 Liberty Seated Half Dime: 1837-1873DimesDraped Bust Dime: 1796-1807 Capped Bust Dime: 1809-1837 Liberty Seated Dime: 1837-1891 Barber Dime: 1892-1916 Mercury Dime: 1916-1945 Roosevelt Dime: 1946-NowTwenty CentsTwenty Cent: 1875-1878 | QuartersDraped Bust Quarter: 1796-1807 Capped Bust Quarter: 1815-1838 Liberty Seated Quarter: 1838-1891 Barber Quarter: 1892-1916 Standing Liberty Quarter: 1916-1930 Washington Quarter: 1932-1998 Washington State Quarters: 1999-2008 DC and US Territories Quarters: 2009 America the Beautiful Quarters: 2010-2021Half DollarsFlowing Hair Half Dollar: 1794-1795 Draped Bust Half Dollar: 1796-1807 Capped Bust Half Dollar: 1807-1839 Liberty Seated Half Dollar: 1839-1891 Barber Half Dollar: 1892-1915 Walking Liberty Half Dollar: 1916-1947 Franklin Half Dollar: 1948-1963 Kennedy Half Dollar: 1964-NowDollarsFlowing Hair Dollar: 1794-1795 Draped Bust Dollar: 1795-1804 Liberty Seated Dollar: 1836-1873 Trade Dollar: 1873-1885 Morgan Dollar: 1878-1921 Peace Dollar: 1921-1935 Ike Dollar: 1971-1978 Susan B. Anthony Dollar: 1979-1999 Sacagawea Dollar: 2000 to Now Presidential Dollars: 2007 to NowGold DollarsGold Dollar: 1849-1889 Draped Bust $2.5: 1796-1807 Capped Bust $2.5: 1808-1834 Classic Head $2.5: 1834-1839 Liberty Head $2.5: 1840-1907 Indian $2.5: 1908-1929 Three Dollar: 1854-1889 $4 Stella: 1879-1880 Draped Bust $5: 1795-1807 Capped Bust $5: 1807-1834 Classic Head $5: 1834-1838 Liberty Head $5: 1839-1908 Indian $5: 1908-1929 Draped Bust $10: 1795-1804 Liberty Head $10: 1838-1907 Indian $10: 1907-1933 Liberty Head $20: 1849-1907 St. Gaudens $20: 1907-1933 |
Collectible World Coins
Discover the many coins of the many countries (old and new). I find ancient coins very interesting, and definitely worth taking a look at. Imagine having an old Egyptian gold coin from thousands of years ago. Or maybe a coin from the mighty empire of Rome. Just imagine some of the stories that these coins could tell if they could talk. Who knows, you could possible have a coin that was held by Caesar himself.
Tips When Investing in Collectible Coins
Coin collecting, like many popular collectibles, operates almost like the stock market. Coins are one of the most highly traded collectibles. Because of this, they are a fairly safe to invest in compared to some other collectible markets.
eBay or other auctions are a great place to get a feel for these markets and what coins are actually selling for.
More on Coin Values
Rare coins will obviously do better than those with a high supply, so keep this in mind when investing. However, just because a coin doesn’t have a high supply, doesn’t necessarily mean that people are interested in them, so be sure to do a little research to make sure that the demand is there as well. Finally, what’s the condition of the coin like? Has it been professionally graded? All of these things factor into the actual value of the coin.
Where Do I Go From Here?
Are you looking to start a brand new collection? Maybe you’re looking to expand on an existing collection. Or perhaps, you’re looking to invest in them. Whatever reason you are interested in coins, be sure to look around at the many articles that I have available. You’re sure to find everything you need to know about collectible coins.
Happy Collecting!