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What Determines the Value and Price of Coins?

Many people buy and sell coins on the Internet or to a coin dealer. But few people understand what influences the values and prices of their coins. This article explains the factors that have power over what you pay and how much you get paid for your coins.

How Do I Buy Coins Directly from the U.S. Mint?

How do I buy coins directly from the U.S. Mint? This FAQ tells you how to cut out the coin dealers and profiteers and buy your U.S. coins straight from the U.S. Mint.

What are Adjustment Marks on Coins?

Adjustment marks appear on many pre-1840 coins, although they are most frequently seen on coins dated prior to 1821. Learn what weight adjustment marks are, what caused them, how to distinguish them from other field marks such as roller marks, and how adjustment marks affect the value of your coins.

How Many Coins are in a Regular Roll of Coins?

Find out how many coins there are in a standard woll of U.S. coins. Whether it's a roll of quarters, dimes, nickels, half dollars, or pennies, a standard shotgun roll his a certain number of coins. Also how many coins are in double rolls and a half rolls of coins.

What Is a PCGS Genuine Coin?

The PCGS Genuine service is causing confusion among coin collectors because these PCGS holders have no grade on them. This FAQ explains what a PCGS Genuine coin is and how to tell what the codes on the slab label mean.

What Is a Special Mint Set?

The Special Mint Set, or SMS is a certain type of Mint set that was only issued for a short time for a specific reason. Learn the facts about these interesting and unusual coins.

Rare Coins - What Is the Difference Between a Grade Rarity and a Mintage Rarity?

An understanding of rare coins is essential if you are going to buy supposedly rare coins, especially the ones in PCGS and NGC type holders. There is a big difference between a grade rarity and a mintage rarity; one might be a sucker's bet, while the other is proven solid gold. Learn which is which and why in this article about rare coins.

My Buffalo Nickel Has No Date - How Much Is it Worth?

Buffalo Nickels with no dates on them present an interesting challenge. How do you learn how much the coin is worth if the date has worn off?

How Do Coin Dealers Get So Many Coins That Are Limited to One Per Person?

How do coin dealers get so many coins that are limited by the U.S. Mint to one per person? for example, the 2009 Ultra-High Relief coin was limited to one per household, but some dealers have hundreds of coins for sale. How are they getting them? Do they have a special deal with Mint? I have the answer in this FAQ about limited coins.

Is Littleton's 50 State Quarters Set a Good Buy at $19.95?

A reader writes to ask if the Littleton Coin Company's offer of a complete set of the 50 State Quarters for $19.95 is a good deal. See what I have to say about this in this Littleton Coin magazine ad FAQ.

What Does First Day of Issue Mean?

First Day of Issue is a PCGS grading service designation that does not mean what you might think. Learn what the true PCGS definition is for this misleading, almost fraudulent designation.

What Does MCMLXXXVI Mean on My Gold Coin?

Some U.S. gold coins seem to be lacking a date. Instead, they have a sequence of letters, such as MCMLXXXVI. Learn how to interpret these symbols on gold coins that seem to have no date on them.

How Can I Get the New Pennies Early?

A reader asked whether there was a way she could get the new pennies before everyone else. Although the U.S. Mint has extremely tight control over when the public can get new coins, there is another way to get the new pennies early. This FAQ tells you how.

How Do I Find the Official Vatican Coin Store?

The Vatican has a coin shop that sells an interesting assortment of Vatican and Pope/Papal collectibles, but it is very hard to find! I'll show you how to get there in this FAQ.

What Is the Direct Ship Program?

What is the U.S. Mint's direct Ship Program, and how does it differ from the Mint's normal sales of Presidential Dollars? The answer is that you can get the coins below face value if you buy smart! This page explains the facts about the Direct Ship Program.

Is My Penny a Copper, or a Zinc Cent?

U.S. pennies were made of mostly copper until the price of copper got so high that it cost more to mint the cents than they were actually worth. Find out when the U.S. switched to the copper-clad zinc penny, and how to tell if your penny is made of copper or zinc.

Which Gold Coins Are Better Investments For Me?

A reader asks several questions about whether it is a better investment to buy regular gold bullion coins, or the ones sold by the U.S. Mint. Also, is the U.S. Mint better than the Franklin Mint? Should I be a collector or an investor?

What is PVC Damage on Coins?

PVC damage can ruin your coins. Learn what PVC damage is, how to prevent it, and how to remove PVC residue before it becomes permanent PVC damage.

How Much Is My Penny Worth?

Learn what your penny is worth by identifying what type it is, and if it is rare. Find how much your pennies are worth in this easy-to-use penny prices guide for U.S. Cents.

What Are These Old Coins?

Old coins can be hard to value or price if you don't know what the old coin is. This FAQ page will help you identify your old coins so you can learn where they're from and how much they're worth. This article also has tips for searching for information about old coins online.