Inherited a coin collection?
Coin folders, proof sets and jars of old change can hold anything from face value to real money. Here is how to sort it out without hurting the value.
Rule number one: don't clean them
Cleaning, polishing or dipping coins can permanently reduce their value, and collectors and graders can usually tell. Handle coins by the edges, keep them in their original folders, sets and holders, and don't remove coins from government packaging.
What to look for
- Silver content. US dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90% silver, and Kennedy half dollars from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. Silver dollars dated 1935 and earlier are 90% silver too. These are worth at least their metal value, which moves with the silver price.
- Gold coins, which are worth at least their gold content.
- Dates and mint marks. A small letter (such as D, S, O or CC) shows where a coin was struck. Certain date and mint-mark combinations, known as key dates, are much scarcer than others.
- Proof and mint sets in original government packaging.
- Graded coins in sealed holders from PCGS or NGC.
- Foreign coins, tokens and medals, which are often low in value but occasionally are not.
Condition and grading basics
US coins are graded on the Sheldon scale from 1 to 70, where 70 is flawless and grades of 60 and above mean the coin shows no wear from circulation. PCGS and NGC are the best-known grading services. They authenticate, grade and seal a coin in a holder. Grading costs money, so it's mostly worth it for scarce dates or coins in high grades, not for common circulated coins.
Where real sold prices come from
Look for sold prices, not asking prices. Good sources include the Heritage Auctions archive of past sales, PCGS CoinFacts and eBay sold listings. For common silver and gold coins, the starting point is melt value: the metal content multiplied by the current spot price.
Mistakes to avoid
- Cleaning or polishing coins.
- Spending or selling old silver coins at face value.
- Selling everything by weight before anyone checks for key dates.
- Taking the first offer. Coin-collecting groups commonly advise getting more than one offer.
- Breaking up original proof and mint sets.
Want a second opinion on the whole collection?
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Start a free intakeThis guide is general information, not an appraisal or financial advice. Market prices change.