Honest answers from working numismatists.
Plain-English guides for people who aren’t coin people — written by people who are.
Peace silver dollar values: dates, mintmarks, and grades
Peace dollars (1921–1935) range from $25 to $200,000+ depending on date and grade. The 1921 high relief and 1928 Philadelphia are the keys.
Read →7 min read · May 27, 2026Mercury dime values: key dates, Full Bands, and overdates
Mercury dimes (1916–1945) are 90% silver. The 1916-D is the series key (worth $1,000+); the 1942/1 overdate is the prize variety. Full Bands designations command big premiums.
Read →7 min read · May 27, 2026Buffalo nickel values: Type 1, Three Legs, and missing dates
Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) have classic key dates (1913-S Type 2, 1937-D Three Legs) but many are 'dateless' from wear. Here's how each is priced.
Read →7 min read · May 27, 2026Wheat penny values: 1909-S VDB and the other keys
Lincoln wheat cents (1909–1958) are the most-saved U.S. coin. The 1909-S VDB and 1914-D are worth hundreds to thousands; most others are pocket change — here's how to tell which is which.
Read →8 min read · May 27, 2026Saint-Gaudens double eagle values: high relief, key dates, and the 1933
Saint-Gaudens $20 gold pieces (1907–1933) carry ~$3,000+ in melt and far more for key dates. The 1907 High Relief and the famous 1933 are landmark American gold coins.
Read →8 min read · May 27, 2026Morgan silver dollar values: what dates, mintmarks, and grades are worth
What a Morgan dollar is actually worth — by date, mint mark, and grade — and which key dates can be worth thousands. Written by a working numismatist.
Read →7 min read · May 27, 2026Walking Liberty half dollar values: key dates and grades worth knowing
A Walking Liberty (1916–1947) is at minimum worth its 90% silver content — but specific dates and grades sell for hundreds. A plain-English guide.
Read →7 min read · May 26, 2026Selling an inherited coin collection: an executor's guide
What to do (and not do) when a coin collection lands in your lap as part of an estate — appraisal, division among heirs, taxes, paperwork.
Read →5 min read · May 26, 2026PCGS vs NGC: which graded coins are worth more?
A plain-English comparison of the two major coin grading services, why their slabs matter, and what to do if you've inherited graded coins.
Read →6 min read · May 26, 2026Where to sell rare coins: the honest pros and cons
Auction houses, online marketplaces, local shops, online dealers — what each is good at, what each costs, and which actually pays the best.
Read →7 min read · May 26, 2026How to sell a coin collection: a step-by-step guide
Six practical steps to selling a coin collection — from photographing it to choosing a buyer to getting paid. Written for people who aren't coin experts.
Read →6 min read · May 26, 2026How much is my coin collection worth?
The honest answer is "it depends" — but here's what determines value, what doesn't, and how to get a real number without leaving your kitchen table.
Read →4 min read · May 26, 2026Should I clean my coins before selling? (Please don't.)
The single most important rule in numismatics, in plain English — and what to do instead.
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