> U.S. Coins

Presidential Dollars (12) State Quarters (7)

The Penny Debate - Should We Keep the Penny or Get Rid of It?
The U.S. one cent coin, the penny, costs more to manufacture than it is worth. Its buying power is almost nil, and many people think the penny should be eliminated. On the other hand, the penny is a sentimental coin, and many people fear rounding to the nickel will raise prices. Should the U.S. get rid of the penny or not? Get the arguments for and against keeping the penny in this penny debate article.

Coinlink.com
Coinlink.com, founded in 1995, has evolved into one of the most comprehensive coin news and reference sites on the Web. The site makes my list because of its outstanding news aggregator, which is a cross between a news feed and a hundred-author blog. Coinlink is a true labor of love by longtime collector Scott Purvis.

Heritage Auction Galleries
The Heritage Auction Galleries Coin Web site contains an immense archive of auction results and coin photos from coins around the world, but especially U.S. coins. The site also features coin auctions and coin-related information. You don't want to miss this site! It's amazing! Learn more about Heritage Auctions on this page.

The Coin Community
The Coin Community Forum is one of the friendliest coin-related forums on the Web. It's family-friendly and they have plenty of in-house experts to help you out with your coins. Learn more about them on this page.

The New Mexico State Quarter
The New Mexico State Quarter features a design called the Zia Sun Symbol. Learn all about the New Mexico Quarter and its design elements, including what the Zia Sun Symbol means and why it is on the New Mexico coin.

Why Does My Morgan Dollar Have Two Eagles and No Lady?
A reader asks about a Morgan dollar with two eagles and no lady. I explain what her two-tailed coin might be and how it was caused or created.

Million Dollar Nickels
Million Dollar Nickels, a book written by Paul Montgomery, Mark Borckardt, and Ray Knight, tells the story of the famous 1913 Liberty Head Nickels. The book is an engaging romp through the history of these illegally struck nickels, and tells the story of those who owned them, especially the Walton family. The Walton Specimen had been presumed lost for decades, and the story of its rediscovery is one of the most incredbile numismatic stories of our time.

How Much is a 1943 Penny Worth?
Coin FAQ - How much is my silver 1943 penny worth? Is my 1943 penny rare? The answer is on this page about the u.s. wartime steel penny.

Does the Mint Intentionally Create Errors to Make the Coins More Collectible?
People often ask if the U.S. Mint is making little errors on the coins on purpose, in order to entice people into removing them from circulation and collecting them. Find out the answer to this question about mint error coins.

Start a Coin Collection on $4
This tutorial will show you how to start a coin collection on $4. We talk about where to get the coins to start your collection (at face value), how to clean and sort them, how to mount them for display, and how to store them. Starting a coin collection from circulating coinage is very easy, if you know what to look for!

How to Describe Your U.S. Coins to Other Collectors
Learn how to describe your coins to other collectors and dealers with our step-by-step photo-based tutorial. Like most other hobbies, coin collecting has its own lingo, so make sure you're not left in the dark when someone talks about the upset rim or the cameo on a coin.

Most Valuable U.S. Coins Found in Pocket Change
Most people don't realize that there are a number of fairly valuable U.S. error coins and die varieties in circulation today. The reason these coins are overlooked by people is that they have small distinguishing characteristics, such as a modest doubling of the coin image, or minute differences in the size or spacing of the letters in the legends. Learn which of your pocket change coins is worth a large premium over face value, and why.

1943 Copper Penny - Is Yours Genuine or Fake?
The 1943 Copper Penny is a much sought-after error coin, because the pennies in 1943 should have been made of steel. However, novelty pcopper-plated 1943 pennies abound, plus there are so some other fake 1943 copper pennies. Learn to tell the genuine 1943 copper penny from the fake 1943 copper penny.

Invest in Morgan Dollars, Consider These Points
Morgan Dollars are a popular investment vehicle for coin collectors these days. Before you invest in Morgan Dollars, however, take a moment to consider a few thoughts about rare coin investing, because although there are some excellent investment options out there in Morgan Silver Dollars, there are also some pitfalls to avoid.

Why are Only Dead Presidents Featured on U.S. Coins?
The United States has a long tradition of placing only the portraits of dead people on its money. Learn why living people are never depicted on U.S. coins, and why the U.S. always uses portraits of dead Presidents rather than living ones.

U.S. Coins Photo Identification Chart
Identify your old coins with this U.S. Coins Photo Identification Chart. Simply match your coin to the photo image, and then follow the links to get coin values, key dates, or more information about that U.S. coin type.

How Much is My Blank Coin Worth?
Sometimes people come across blank coins in circulation, and they wonder what they've got and if it's worth anything. This FAQ page answers these questions about blank coins.

Top 10 Coins Web Sites
This list is a mix of the best on the Web when it comes to coins and coin collecting. I tried to select the best site from each of several categories (such as coin forum discussion sites, coin news, coin blogs, price guides, etc.,) plus I tell you why I think these coin-related sites are worth your time to check them out. In a way, they could all be ranked number 1 or 2 in their own categories,…

How Much is the 1943 Chrome-Plated Penny Worth?
The 1943 penny is a source of confusion to people the first time they see one. Is it made of silver? Chrome? What is this 1943 penny and is it worth anything? This FAQ page answers these questions.

What are the Differences Between DMPL, Prooflike, and Semi-Prooflike Morgans?
Learn how to tell the difference between Semi-Prooflike, Prooflike, and DMPL Morgan Dollars in this simple guide to Prooflike Morgans.

How do You Tell the Difference Between DMPL and Genuine Proof Morgan Dollars?
Learn how to tell the difference between DMPL and Proof Morgan Dollars on this coin collecting FAQ page.

Which U.S. Coins Has Absolutely No Copper in it?
Every single U.S. coin ever struck by the U.S. Mint for circulation has some copper in it except one. Do you know which one it is? Find out on this page.

A Complete Collection of U.S. Coins Red Books
Learn the story of the intrepid coin collector, who is also a member of the U.S. military stationed overseas, who did something that only 500 people in the world can ever do (and that probably fewer than a couple dozen actually have done...) He collected a full set of every single Red Book ever published! Read his inspiring story here.

Why do Some Coins Have Denticles?
This FAQ explains why denticles appear on many U.S. coins of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Lincoln Memorial Penny Die Varieties
The commonly recognized die variety types for the Lincoln Memorial Cent series, including those noted in the Red Book, are listed on this page.

E Pluribus Unum - What Does This U.S. Motto Mean?
E Pluribus Unum is seen on U.S. coins and currency, but it is surprising how many people don't know what this term means and what the history behind it is. Learn about the U.S. Motto E Pluribus Unum.

Presidential First Ladies' Gold Coins - The Presidential First Spouse Series
Photo gallery of the First Spouse gold coins issued in conjunction with the Presidential Dollars. These coins show the first ladies of the U.S. for presidents who had a first lady.

Presidential Dollars Coin Program - Artists Rendering of New Presidents Dollars
Presidential Dollars, Artists Rendering of the new Presidents Dollar Coins

The Rarest Red Book Edition Ever - The 1987 ANA 40th Anniversary Red Book
The rarest Red Book in the entire collection of the coins price volumes is the 40th Anniversary ANA Edition issed for 1987. Only 500 copies of the special ANA edition were made, and they were given out at one single ANA soecial event in 1986. Learn more about the rarest Red Book of them all

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.

Roller Marks or Weight Adjustment Marks? Learn the Difference on These Coins
This photo diagnostic helps you determine the difference between roller marks and weight adjustment marks on U.S. coins.

Roller Marks on a Morgan Dollar
Roller marks are straight, parallel lines that appear on the surface of the coin, and go underneath the devices. Although roller marks has always been the traditional explanation for these marks, there might be other causes, too. Learn all about roller marks and similar phenomena.

Presidential Dollars - The Inside Scoop on the New U.S. Presidents Dollar Coin
The Presidential Dollar coins will be issued for circulation by the U.S. Mint starting in February, 2007. Learn all about this new series of President's Dollar coins, find out why the word LIBERTY has been removed, and why you won't see IN GOD WE TRUST or E PLURIBUS UNUM on the face of the coins.

What is the U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP)?
The U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) is a program that allows Americans with artistic training from all walks of life to design a U.S. coin. The Artistic Infusion Program artists have contributed designs to several U.S Mint issues, including the Statehood Quarters and Westward Journey Nickels. Learn more the U.S. Mint AIP and how to participate.

The 1895 Morgan Dollar - The King of Morgans - The Most Valuable Morgan Dollar
The 1895 Proof Morgan Silver Dollar is nicknamed the "King of Morgan Dollars." Although the 1895 Morgan Dollar had a mintage of 12,000 regular specimens according to Mint records, they seem to have mysteriously vanished! Learn the story behind the King of Morgans: the remarkable 1895 Morgan Dollar.

Lincoln Memorial Cent Values (1959 - 2006)
Learn what your Lincoln Memorial Cents are worth by using this table of coin values. This very easy to use table will tell you what your coins are really worth if you sold them today, rather than the retail price that dealers are selling the coins for.

Wheat Cent Values (1909 - 1958)
Learn what your Wheat Pennies are worth by using this table of coin values. This very easy to use table will tell you what your coins are really worth if you sold them today, rather than the retail price that dealers are selling the coins for.

The U.S. Coins Red Book - A Good Source of Coin Values and Prices?
Book review of the U.S. coins Red Book, "A Guide Book of United States Coins". The Red Book has long been the "Bible" of U.S. coin values. Since you can find out what your coin is worth online for free, does it make sense to buy the Red Book? Our review provides the answer.

Key Dates for Wheat Pennies - Is Your Wheat Penny a Key Date?
Wheat penny key dates are given in this mini-guide to Wheat Cent values. Find out what the most valuable dates are for the Wheat Ears pennies issued from 1909 to 1958.

Indian Head Cent Values (1859-1909)
Indian Head pennies were made from 1859 to 1909. The Indian Head penny values given here are realistic prices that a dealer will pay you for your penny, not some inflated retail values. Find out how much your pennies are really worth if you had to sell them today with this simple to use Indian Head penny value guide.

U.S. Small Cents - Which Pennies are Considered to be Small Cents?
The U.S. Small Cents were first issued in 1856, to replace the Large Cents. But which cents, exactly, are the Small Cents? This article answers that question, and tells you how to determine how much your Small Cents are worth.

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.

Collectors are Cashing in on “Extra Tree” Minnesota State Quarters!
The Minnesota State Quarter Extra Tree error coins have been getting a lot of attention recently. Learn how to check your state quarters to see if you have one of these valuable Minnesota Extra Tree error coins.

A Cyber Collection of 1895 Morgan Silver Dollars
These are images of various specimens of the 1895 Morgan Silver Dollar.

In God We Rust - A State Quarter Filled Die Strike Through Error
The "Rust Quarter" was created when coin press lubricating grease escaped into the coin die, plugging up the letter "T" in TRUST. See photos of this error and learn more about how grease strike through filled die errors occur.

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.

U.S. Gold Coins of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century
This is an image gallery of historical U.S. gold coins. This is a type collection of American gold coins from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including the famous Saint-Gaudens Twenty-dollar gold piece double eagle, gold quarter and half eagles, U.S. three-dollar gold pieces, and one dollar gold coins of the United States.

Profile of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar Coin
The Sacagawea Golden Dollar is unique among U.S. coins. Sacagawea was just 10 years old when she was kidnapped from her native Shoshone tribe. Sold into slavery by her early teens, she was purchased by a French fur trader to become his "wife." Sacagawea is best known for her role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Learn all about Sacagawea and the coin that honors her.

1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle - World's Most Valuable Coin
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle is the world's highest-priced coin. It sold at auction in 2002 for a total of $7.6 million. Why would any single coin be worth so much money? Learn all about the 1933 Double Eagle in our profile of this famous coin.

Everything You Can Imagine About Small Sized U.S. Dollar Coins
This site focuses entirely on small-module U.S. dollars of the past 30 years, including the Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, and Presidential Dollars. The site contains lots of insider information and little known details about the small dollar coins.

Silver Coin Forgeries & Other Information About Silver
Although most U.S. Coin Collectors are smart enough to realize that they're not going to buy an 1804 silver dollar for $300, that doesn't stop the counterfeiters from making them! Silver-Coins.org has an entire gallery of famous silver coins which have been faked, plus some World silver coin fakes, silver coin cleaning tips, and other topics of interest to silver coin collectors.

The Statehood Quarters Series
Every year, from 1999 through 2008, the United States Mint will issue five new Statehood Quarters. Find out which ones have been issued, when the next ones are coming, what the designs look like, and how many of each are being minted.

Complete Table of U.S. Coinage Mint Marks
Do you know what the W mint mark stands for? Look it up on this complete table of U.S. mint marks, and the mint locations they refer to, for coins produced by the United States Mint.

CONECA Listing of U.S. Coin Die Varieties
CONECA is the largest organization devoted to collecting U.S. die varieties. These are the types of valuable coins that anybody can find right in their pocket change. See if the coins in your change are on their list of collectible varieties.