How to Find Out How Much Rare Coins Are Worth

The amount of wear a rare coin sustained factors heavily into determining the coin's value.

If you recently began collecting coins, but aren't sure of the value of the rare coins in your collection, finding out how much individual coins are worth gives you an accurate portrait of the worth of your overall collection. Even if you have no intention of selling your coins, tracking the value of your collection keeps you informed so you can properly care for and store the coins to protect them.

Things You'll Need

• The Official Red Book
• The Official Blue Book

Instructions

1. Create a detailed list of all the coins in your collection, including important information like the denomination of the coin, the year the coin was minted, special markings and the type of metal the coin was made from. Include details in the margin of your list on the quality of each coin, as damaged coins depreciate in value, even if they are very rare.

2. Research each individual coin in your collection with online tools like the PCGS price guide, the Heritage Auction Galleries beginner's price guide, or the NGC coin encyclopedia. You can also research coin value in books like "The Official Red Book" and "The Official Blue Book" from Whitman Publishing, which publishes annual updated editions.

3. Factor in whether the coin is in "mint" condition. Coins graded as "mint uncirculated" have no wear at all and have been kept in protective plastic sleeves since they were first manufactured. These types of coins are more valuable because they are rare. Coins with small traces of wear on the highest points of the coin are often considered "almost uncirculated," and can be difficult to distinguish from "mint" coins without assistance from an experienced coin dealer.

4. Review the listings based on the condition of your coin. Dealers grade coins with the designations "Basal," "Fair," "Almost Good (AG)," "Good (G)," "Fine (F)," "Very Good (VG)," "Very Fine (VF)" and "Extremely Fine (XF)." Coins that are graded XF tend to be more rare, and have little to no wear or damage. You may need to get a professional opinion if you're not sure about the condition of your coin, as condition factors in heavily when determining coin value.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your coin collection to an experienced coin dealer or auctioneer if you have trouble understanding the grading systems, or aren't sure about your coins. Dealers are always on the lookout for XF rare coins, and can assess the overall value of your entire collection for you.

References

• PCGS: Price Guide
• NGC: Coin Encyclopedia
• Heritage Auction Galleries: What's My Coin Worth?
• American Coin Online: Grading Coins

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Amazon: The Official Red Book
• Amazon: The Official Blue Book