Coins: Most Popular Articles

Wheat Penny Values - Coin Values Table for Wheat Cents - How Much are Wheat Pennies Worth? - Wheatback Pennies
Wheat pennies are worth at least twice their face value, as shown in my coin values table, and many wheatback cents are worth a lot more. Learn what the prices are for wheat back pennies, and find out how much your pennies are worth with this simple to use penny value guide.

Rare Coins 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.

Buffalo Nickel Values - Coin Values Guide for Buffalo (aka Indian Head) Nickels
Coin values for Buffalo Nickels are given in this easy to use price guide to Buffalo (aka Indian Head) Nickels. The coin values in this table are real prices that coin dealers will pay, not inflated Red Book values.

Indian Head Penny Values - Coin Values Table for Indian Head Pennies - Indian Head Cents
Indian Head Penny values can be found in this table of coin values. Indian Cents 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 cent value guide.

Coin Identification Table - Identify Your U.S. Coins Using These Coin Photo Images
Photos to ID your U.S. coins. Use this coin identification table to identify your U.S. coins, with the help of these coin photo images

The 1943 Penny Value
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.

Mercury Dime Values - Coin Values Table for Mercury Dimes - How Much are Mercury Dimes Worth?
Mercury Dimes are worth at least six times their face value, as shown in my coin values table, and many Mercury Head Dimes are worth a lot more. Learn what the prices are for these beautiful dimes, and find out how much your dimes are worth with this simple to use dime value guide.

What's 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.

Wheat Penny Key Dates
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 pennies issued from 1909 to 1958.

U.S. Coins Red Book Review
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.

Lincoln Penny Values - Coin Values for Lincoln Memorial Cents - How Much are Lincoln Memorial Pennies Worth? - Lincoln Pennies
Lincoln Memorial Penny values can be found in this table of coin values. Lincoln Memorial Cents have been made since 1959, replacing the Wheat Ears design. In general, Lincoln cents must be in Extremely Fine condition or higher to be worth much, but there are a few exceptions. Learn which Lincoln Cents are worth higher prices, and find out how much your pennies are worth with this simple to use coin value guide.

1943 Copper Penny Error
The 1943 Copper Penny is a much sought-after error coin, because the pennies in 1943 should have been made of steel. However, novelty copper-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.

Top 5 Worst Coin Investments
This article contains my personal list of "do not buy" coin types. I am reluctant to tell anybody else what they should invest in, since nobody can predict where the market will go, but I am willing to share my own personal 30 years' worth of experience in what I personally do not collect...and why.

Jefferson Nickel Values - Coin Values Guide for Jefferson Nickels
Jefferson Nickel coin values are given in this easy to use price guide to Jefferson Nickels. The coin values in this table are real prices that coin dealers will pay, not inflated Red Book values.

Is Your Penny Copper or Zinc?
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.

V-Nickel Values - Coin Values Guide for Liberty Head V-Nickels
Coin values for Liberty Head V-Nickels are given in this easy to use price guide to Liberty Head Nickels. The coin values in this table are real prices that coin dealers will pay, not inflated Red Book values.

State Quarter Values - Coin Values Table for Statehood Quarters - How Much are State Quarters Worth?
State Quarters generally must be in Mint State (MS) grades to be worth anything over face value. Serious State Quarter collectors collect them by the original bank-wrapped (OBW) rolls of 40 coins. Values for Statehood Quarter OBWs are given in a separate State Quarter Rolls value guide. Learn what the prices are for these beautiful U.S. Quarters, and find out how much your State Quarters are worth with this simple to use Statehood Quarter price guide.

How to Safely Clean Coins
To clean coins is generally not recommended, but if you really feel you have to, this article tells you how to clean coins safely and with minimal damage.

Key Date Coin is Defined
What is a key date? Your Guide has the definition to this and other coin related terms in the glossary of numismatic terminology. Key date coin is defined on this page.

Jefferson Presidential Dollar
The image of the coin that appears in the artist rendering is often quite different than what the struck coin actually looks like!

Presidential Dollar Coins
The Presidential Dollar coins were issued for circulation by the U.S. Mint starting in February, 2007. Learn all about this 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. Also, get the details about the "Godless" dollars and how the edge lettering is supposed to appear.

World's Most Valuable Coin
The 1933 Gold Double Eagle coin, designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, sold for $7.5 million in 2002, the highest price in the world ever paid for a coin. Find out why the 1933 double eagle is worth so much, and learn the bizarre story of how a lady who found 10 of these coins in her deceased father's belongings ended up having them all seized by the U.S. Mint!

Mercury Dime Key Dates
Mercury dime key dates are given on this page, along with a link to full pricing information with the real prices dealers will pay you for Mercury Dimes (not inflated retail coin values.)

Hawaii State Quarter Design
Hawaii State Quarter Artist Rendering

Find Error Coins in Change
Learn how to find error coins and die varieties in your pocket change. This tutorial will show you a few simple steps that will allow you to quickly sort your change, so you never have to pay for something that costs twenty-five cents with a state quarter that is worth twenty five dollars!

7 Ways to Ruin Your Coins
The 7 best ways to ruin your coins are described, with details on cleaning coins, storing coins, handling coins, and caring for a coin collection. We explain the 7 mistakes that beginning collectors make, and how to avoid them. Keep your U.S. and rare coins in great shape by avoiding these common coin care catastrophes.

New Mexico Quarter Design
New Mexico State Quarter Artist Rendering

Find Honest Rare Coin Dealers
It is fairly easy to find a coin dealer. But how do you find a reputable, honest coin dealer? We invest a lot of money in our coins, so we want to get the best prices we can. However, price isn't everything. What if your coin turns out to be fake? Will the rare coin dealer be around in five years to issue a refund? Learn how to find honest and ethical rare and gold coin dealers.

How Many Coins in a Roll?
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.

Extra Tree Error 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.

Andrew Jackson Dollar Coin
Photo of Andrew Jackson Presidential Dollar coin

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

1917 Standing Liberty Quarter
The 1916-1917 Standing Liberty Quarter features a depiction of Miss Liberty with her right breast exposed. The story of how this bare-breasted Liberty coin was made, and the fallout after its release, make an itneresting story. Learn all about the topless, or naked Liberty Quarter in this Famous Coin Profile.

Alaska State Quarter Design
Alaska State Quarter Artist Rendering

Arizona State Quarter Design
Arizona State Quarter Artist Rendering

The 2008 Silver Eagle Transitional Variety
The 2008 Silver Eagle has a redesigned hub, or master die, that uses a slightly different lettering font style and arrangement of stars on the reverse. This article shows you how to tell whether your 2008 Silver Eagle is one of these rare transitional variety coins.

Top 10 Coin Picks for 2008
This is my personal Top 10 Coins shopping list for 2008. These are the coins and coin sets that I feel have the best potential for long term enjoyment and hopefully growth, although I want to stop short of actually making investment recommendations to others since my budget and collecting interests probably differ from yours. However, I offer my top coin picks for the coming year and explain why I selected them so that you can make a more informed decision about your own coin buying.

Oklahoma State Quarter Design
Oklahoma State Quarter Artist Rendering

State Quarter Roll Values - Coin Values Table for Statehood Quarter Rolls - How Much are State Quarters Rolls Worth?
State Quarters rolls generally must be in Mint State (MS) grades to be worth anything over face value. Serious State Quarter collectors collect them by the original bank-wrapped (OBW) rolls of 40 coins. Values for Statehood Quarter OBWs are given in this State Quarter Rolls value guide. Learn what the prices are for these beautiful U.S. Quarters, and find out how much your State Quarter rolls are worth with this simple to use Statehood Quarter price guide.

Madison Presidential Dollar
The image of the coin that appears in the artist rendering is often quite different than what the struck coin actually looks like!

Nickels Value Guide
Nickel values guide; Find out how much your U.S. nickels are worth in this easy to use, realistic nickel values guide. Types include Liberty Head V-Nickels, Indian Head Buffalo Nickels, and Jefferson Nickels. My coin values are actual, honest, dealer buying prices, not inflated retail, or Red Book prices.

Sunken Treasure Coin Secrets
Before you buy sunken treasure coins, take a moment to think about what you are buying. Is there a lot of marketing hype making the coin seem more valuable than it is? Has the coin been certified, and by whom? Is the coin from a recovered sunken treasure that is getting a lot of publicity now, but might be forgotten tomorrow? Here are some things to consider when buying rare coins.

Wrapped Coin Secrets
Most coin collectors find that getting rolls of coins from their local banks isn't easy. An expert in the hobby of searching bank wrapped rolls of coins reveals the secrets to finding plenty of rolls of coins to search.

Avoid Fake Silver Eagles
Coin fraud is an unfortunate reality of coin collecting, but it's easy to educate yourself about fake coins and coin fraud subjects. This article teaches out how to spot fake silver coins, especially fake silver eagles from China.

Morgan Dollar Investments
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.

Presidents Dollar 2 Adams
Presidential Dollar Coin, John Adams Design, Artists Rendering

Lincoln Memorial 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.

1895 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.

Melt Value of Circulating Coin
Coinflation.com tracks the intrinsic, or base metal, value of circulating coins. If you wonder what the melt value of the silver in your quarters or silver dollars is worth, or the copper value of pennies and nickels, Coinflation has them all listed, tied to current spot prices. The site also carries an interesting news feed relating to coins and coin metal values.

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.

Blue Book Defined
What is the U.S. Coins Blue Book? Your Guide has the definition to this and other coin related terms in the glossary of coin terminology. The U. S. Coins Blue Book is defined on this page.

The Penny Debate
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.

Get Rich With Pocket Change
"Strike it Rich With Pocket Change" is the book by Ken Potter and Brian Allen that shows us how to tell which coins in our pocket change are the rare and valuable mint error coins and die varieties that sell for thousands of dollars on eBay. Does the book live up to its promise, or should your save your spare pocket change for something else? Read this book review of the latest offering among the "get rich quick from your spare change" genre now!

Coin Price & Value Differences
There is a big difference between the value of a coin, and the price of a coin. Your Guide explains what the difference is, and how you need to take this concept into consideration when you buy and sell your own U.S., Ancient, World, or other coins.

Mint Errors - Intentional?
People often ask if the U.S. Mint is making 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.

Rare Coins for Suckers
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.

Coin Value Fraud at Auctions
If you are buying coins from online auction sites such as ebay, you should be very wary about claims of coin values based on slabbed, or grading services' grades. This is an increasing problem on ebay, especially, so before you buy encapsulated coins, learn how this coin fraud is prepetrated, and a very simple method to avoid becoming a victim.

The 1916-1917 Standing Liberty Quarters - Lady Liberty Exposed - The Bare-Breasted Liberty Coin - Standing Liberty Naked Coin
The 1916 and early 1917 Standing Liberty Quarters feature a beautiful image of Lady Liberty standing, shield in hand, ready to defend America against all foes, should the enemy fail to take the olive branch she proffers in her other hand. Unfortunately, some folks were too caught up in the sight of her bare breast to notice much else. Learn the story of this interesting type.

Adams Presidential Dollar
The image of the coin that appears in the artist rendering is often quite different than what the struck coin actually looks like!

Abigail Adams Coin Obv 1000
Photo of artist rendering of Abigail Adams gold coin Obverse in the First Spouse series

Meaning of E Pluribus Unum
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.

Lincoln Memorial Key Dates
Learn what the key dates are for the Lincoln Memorial Penny series. Lincoln Memorial key date coins are given on this page.

Presidents Dollar 4 Madison
Presidential Dollar Coin, James Madison Design, Artists Rendering

1909-D Gold Half Eagle
This is an image of the 1909D Indian Head Half Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($5.00 Gold Piece)

1904 Gold Double Eagle
This is an image of the 1904 Liberty Head Double Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($20 Gold Piece)

Can Your Coins Do Cartwheels?
When coins come out of the mint, they have a beautiful luster and they look nice and shiny and pretty. But as coins get used in circulation, this shininess wears away and the coin gets dull. How can I turn my dull, worn, circulated coin back into a nice shiny prize again? In other words, how do I clean my coins to look mint new?

1913 Liberty Head Nickel
The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel is one of the most valuable coins in the world, selling for $3 million at its last appearance in 2001. There are 5 specimens known to exist of the 1913 Liberty Nickel. Learn why they are worth so much money, and discover the fascinating story behind this humble 5-cent piece of cupro-nickel.

Sacagawea Golden Dollar
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.

What Are U.S. 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.

Presidents Dollar 3 Jefferson
Presidential Dollar Coin, Thomas Jefferson Design, Artists Rendering

Chinese Fake Morgan Dollars
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. Freshly struck fake Morgan Dollars are shown.

James Monroe Dollar Coin
Photo of the James Monroe Presidential Dollar coin

History of the Lincoln Cent
Learn about the fascinating varieites and metal types that have been issued during the long history of the Lincoln Cent. This is Part 2 of the History of the Lincoln Cent series.

Wholesale Coin Secrets
How can I find out about the wholesale coin market and learn what dealers pay for coins? This FAQ tells you about the insider's guide to coin prices and how to get a sample copy for yourself.

Coin Collection on Four Bucks
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!

John Quincy Adams Dollar Coin
Photo of the John Quincy Adams Presidential Dollar coin

Counterfeit Silver Coin Dies
This closeup photo of the dies used by a Chinese coin counterfeiting ring shows the reverse of a British silver crown dated 1899 and the obverse of a Greek 5 Drachmai dated between 1833 and 1845.

Presidential Dollar Errors
The Presidential Dollar coins are turning up with some interesting new errors, many related to the edge lettering on the coins. However, not everything being sold on eBay as an edge lettering error is one! Learn how to evaluate the edge lettering for yourself, and how to authenticate a genuine edge letter error.

1910-S Saint-Gaudens Eagle
1910-S Indian Head Type (Saint-Gaudens) U.S. Gold Eagle ($10 Gold Piece)

Don's World Coin Gallery
Don's World Coin Gallery is a legendary Web site devoted to coins from virtually every issuing authority in the world. Don has tens of thousands of coins listed on his site, including photos, prices, a coin identification guide, and lots more for the world coin collector. The most amazing thing of all? Every single coin on the site came from Don's own collection! Learn more about Don's World Coin Gallery on this page.

Fake Coins From China
Thousands of Fake Coins Struck by a Chinese Counterfeiting Ring

Fake Chinese Coin Dies
A selection of dies for striking fake coins in an illegal Chinese coin minting operation.

Chinese-Made Counterfeits
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

1881 With Motto Gold Eagle
This is an image of the 1881 Coronet Type (With Motto) Liberty Gold Eagle ($10 Gold Piece)

1969 Three Dollar Gold Piece
This is an image of the 1869 Indian Head Three Dollar U.S. Gold Coin

Sheldon Scale of Coin Grading
The Sheldon Scale 70-point system has become the standard coin grading system for modern coins. Learn what the Sheldon Scale is, and how to use it to grade your own coins.

Fake Morgan Dollars - Edges
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. The edges of fake Morgan Dollars are shown.

Fake Standing Liberty 25c's
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. Standing Liberty Quarters and U.S. Indian Head Cents are shown, all of which are fake!

Edge Lettering Fake Coins
Chinese Worker Applies Edge Lettering to Fake Coins

What Does "Coin Price" Mean?
Coin price catalogs and coin value guides, such as the Red Book, Trends, coin price magazines, etc., all have one common flaw - the prices in them are not of any value at all to a coin collector trying to appraise his own collection for sale. This article explains why.

1908 Saint-Gaudens $20 Gold
This is an image of the 1908 Saint-Gaudens (No Motto) Walking Liberty Double Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($20 Gold Piece)

1847 Gold Eagle
This is an image of the 1847 Coronet Type Liberty Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($10 Gold Piece)

Fake Indian Head & Large Cents
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. A box of fake U.S. Indian Head pennies and Large Cents is shown.

Chinese Fake Coin Minting
A worker in a Chinese fake coin minting operation feeds a planchet into the coin press to strike a fake silver dollar.

Martha Washington Coin Obv 1k
Photo of artist rendering of Martha Washington gold coin obverse in the First Spouse series

Chinese Counterfeits Showroom
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

Are Two-Headed Coins Real?
If you have found a two-headed coin and want to find out how much your two-headed coin is worth, or if your coin has two tails, this article will explain what these coins are worth, and how coins with two heads are made.

What are Doubled Die Coins?
Doubled Die Coins are defined on this coin terms glodssary page. (Sometimes misspelled "double die.")

Chinese Counterfeiting Ring
Chinese Workers Striking Fake U.S. Coins

Detect Fake Godless Dollars
Godless Dollars are so-called because they are missing the edge lettering inscriptions that all Presidential Dollars are supposed to have, which include, among others, IN GOD WE TRUST. However, what's to stop someone with a dremel tool or lathe from simply erasing the edge inscriptions to make fake Godless dollars? Learn how to tell a real plain edge dollar from a fake smooth edge dollar.

Striking Fake Morgan Dollars
Fake Morgan Dollars Struck by a Chinese Coin Counterfeting Ring

Chinese Counterfeits Storage
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

What is This Blank Coin?
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.

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 journey 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.

Collecting For Your Children
Many parents and grandparents would like to start a coin collection for their children, but they don't know what to collect. Learn how to start an investment collection, and what coins you should buy.

Counterfeiting Shop Storage
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. This is one of many storage rooms.

Proof Coin Defined
What is a proof coin? Your Guide has the definition to this and other coin related terms in the glossary of coin terminology. Proof coin is defined on this page.

Chinese Counterfeiting Press
Coin Press Used in Chinese Coin Counterfeiting Ring

1910 Gold Quarter Eagle
This is an image of the 1910 Indian Head Type Quarter Eagle U.S. Gold Coin.

Fake Coins Awaiting Dispersal
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. A tray of assorted fake coins awaits dispersal into our marketplace.

Fake Chinese Iron & Bronze
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

1878 U.S. Gold Quarter Eagle
This is an image of the 1878 Coronet Type Liberty Head Quarter Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($2.50 Gold Piece)

Fake Chinese Slabs
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

Insider's Coin Buying Secrets
Insider's tips for dealing with coin dealers. Learn how to get the best deal when buying coins, and how to get the most money when selling coins. Find out where dealers get their wholesale coin prices so you know how much they pay each other, and never overpay for, or undersell coins again. Understand how the wholesale coin market operates.

Fake Chinese Ingots and Bars
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. Shown are some fake Chinese ingots and bars.

Fake Ancient Chinese Coins
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. Various ancient bronze Chinese coin types are shown, all of which are fake!

Fake Chinese Dynastic Coins
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

First Strike Coins Revealed
The First Strike designation is being used by grading services to imply that the coin within the holder is more valuable than others like it because it was struck first, but the U.S. Mint itself doesn't know which coins were struck when! Learn all about First Strike and what it really means.

What is the Red Book?
What is the U.S. Coins Red Book? The Red Book is defined on this coin terms glossary page.

The Anatomy of a Coin
This is an image-based tutorial teaching you how to explain your coins to another collector using the proper terminology. The U.S. cent coin, the proof Statehood quarter obverse, and the reeded edges of circulated quarters are used as examples.

Fake Chinese Antiquities
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques.

1849 Gold Half Eagle
This is an image of the 1849 Coronet Liberty Head Type Half Eagle U.S. Gold Coin ($5.00 Gold Piece)

Beware the Ides of March!
EID MAR is the inscription on the coin issued by Brutus, who assassinated Julius Caesar on the Ides of March in ancient Rome. This ancient coin features two daggers and a liberty cap on the reverse, and a portrait of Brutus on the obverse. This article profiles the EID MAR commemorative coin and explains the events surrounding it.

1858 Gold One Dollar Coin
This is an image of the 1858 Indian Head U.S. Gold Dollar

Mint Mark Defined
What is a mint mark? Your Guide has the definition to this and other coin related terms in the glossary of coin terminology. Mint marks are defined on this page.

Coin Obverse Defined
What is the obverse of a coin? Your Guide has the definition to this and other coin related terms in the glossary of coin terminology. The obverse side is defined on this page.

Beware of New Liberty Dollars!
New Liberty Dollars are being circulated by an organization called NORFED (National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve Act and the Internal Revenue Code.) These silver dollar coins, and a $500 gold dollar coin are not legal tender coinage issued by the U.S. Mint. Learn more about these new Liberty Dollars.

South Dakota State Quarter
The South Dakota State Quarter features Mount Rushmore, which is the huge sculpture of four U.S. presidents carved into a mountainside, with a Ring-Necked Chinese Pheasant flying overhead, and with wheat heads adorning the sides. Learn the facts about the South Dakota State Quarter, what the designs mean and how they were chosen, who created them, and everything else you could want to know.

Two Headed Coin Authentication
Learn how to tell if your two headed coin is genuine or fake. This page explains how two-headed coins are made, and how to tell if your 2 headed coin is real or not.

Presidential Edge Lettering
The image of the coin that appears in the artist rendering is often quite different than what the struck coins actually look like!

Coin Grading Made Simple
Coin grading can be a difficult subject for the beginning collector. This article provides a very simple, basic method for judging the grade of almost any coin using clear, easy-to-follow steps.

Fake Chinese Currency & Goods
Photos from a Chinese counterfeiting ring that specializes in fake coins, antiquities and counterfeit Chinese antiques. Fake Chinese currency sits next to tourist goods.

Washington State Quarter
The Washington State Quarter Dollar is the 42nd in the U.S. Statehood Quarters series. Formally issued on April 11, 2007, the Quarter features a king salmon jumping out the water, with Mount Rainier in the background. See what this quarter looks like, and learn about what the designs on it mean.

Presidents Dollar Edge Design
Presidential Dollar Coin, edge design, Artists Rendering

1854 Gold Dollar
This is an image of the U.S. 1854 (Type I) Liberty Head Gold Dollar

Find a Local Coin Dealer
When you want to find a coin dealer, you probably shouldn't go to the Yellow Pages first, because there are many people listed there who are really just pawn brokers, junk bullion buyers, and other non-experts. This Quick Tip page will show you exactly how to find a local, Certified coin dealer near your location.

Presidents Dollar 1 Washington
Presidential Dollar Coin, George Washington Design, Artists Rendering

The Idaho State Quarter
The Idaho State Quarter was released on June 5, 2007, and is the 43rd State Quarter in the Statehood Quarter series being issued by the U.S. Mint. The coin features a peregrine falcon, even though this isn't the Idaho state bird. Find out why the falcon is on the Idaho Quarter, as well as learn many other interesting facts about this coin.

The Rust Quarter - an Interesting Struck Through Grease Filled Die Error
This is an image of the Rust Quarter - an interesting struck through grease filled die error.

What is Mechanical Doubling?
Mechanical doubling, sometimes called machine doubling or strike doubling, is defined on this coin terms glossary page.

What is a Planchet?
What is a coin planchet? Find out what a planchet is on this coin terms page.

What is a BU Coin?
BU coin is a term that you hear occasionally when people talk about coin collecting. Learn what it means on this coin terms page.

Presidents Dollar Reverse
Presidential Dollar Coin, Reverse Design, Artists Rendering

Washington Presidential Dollar
The image of the coin that appears in the artist rendering is often quite different than what the struck coin actually looks like!

1943 Chrome-Plated Penny
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 is an Error Coin?
What is an error coin? This coin terms page defines a mint error and explains why it differs from a die variety.

What is a Repunched Mintmark?
Repunched mintmark, also known as an RPM, is defined on this cointerms glossary page

Coin Slabbing Defined
What is meant by "slabbing a coin"? Your Guide has this definition and other coin words defined in the Glossary of Numismatic Terminology, a dictionary of coin related terms. Slabbing is defined on this page.

Martin Van Buren Dollar Coin
Photo of the Martin Van Buren Presidential Dollar coin

Top 10 Coins Web Sites
This is a list of my top 10 favorite coin Web sites (besides my own, of course, heh.) You'll find a nice mix of types of sites, as I tried to pick the best from several categories (such as coin discussion forum, coin price guide, general coin information, etc.) I also explain why I love these sites, and why it's worth your time to check them out.