How to Find the Value of a Coin from 1950

Some coins from 1950 are worth substantial money.

The older a coin is, the more valuable it tends to be, and a coin from 1950 can be worth much more than its face value. In fact, some coins from 1950 are worth quite a bit of money. The most important thing that affects the worth of a coin from that time period is the type of material it is made out of. Many coins were still being minted from silver in the '50s, and a silver coin in great condition can have a very large numismatic value.

Things You'll Need

• Price guide for the type of coin you want to price

Instructions

1. Determine the type of coin that you have. You already know the year is 1950, now you must figure out the coin's country of origin, the denomination of the coin (face value) and if any mint marks (small letters that tell you where the coin was minted) are present. All of this information can be found on one of the faces of the coin.

2. Find a price guide for the type of coin that you have. Make sure that the price guide covers coins from the 1950s and explains some coin collecting basics. These guides can be purchased at coin stores and book stores, and a few can be found online.

3. Grade your coin. Grading is a very particular process, and if you are not used to grading coins, it can be a very difficult process. Coin grades range from "about good" (you can tell the type and year, but that's about all) to "uncirculated" (looks like it was just minted). Your coin price guide can help you grade coins.

4. Look up the value of your coin in your price guide. Find your specific coin in the guide, then find the column for the grade that most closely resembles the grade of your coin. Not all grades are listed in all price guides.

Tips & Warnings

• If you only have a single coin from 1950, it is probably in your best interest to take your coin to a coin dealer and ask the dealer what the coin is worth. Many of the coins from 1950 are worth less than a price guide would cost. However, if you are interested at all in coin collecting, a price guide is an excellent resource and would be a great investment.

• Coins can also be graded by number. "About good" is a 3, while uncirculated coins are rated between 60 and 70 depending on minute details.

References

• "Blackbook Price Guide to United States Coins"; Marc Hudgeons, Tom Hudgeons Jr., and Tom Hudgeons Sr.; 2006

Resources

• Best Coin: United States Pricing Guide
• American Coin: Grading Coins