![]() ![]() Errors in these two key areas can still be found in circulation, and they could score you a fortune. The date and mintmark are the easiest way to diagnose valuable rare coins. Examine each one carefully, paying extra attention to anything that strikes you as odd. If the coin is dirty, clean it off first, as debris can create clumps that disguise a rarity or make perfectly normal lettering look slightly off. Look for missing and doubled-up letters or unique inscriptions, and check both sides thoroughly. If something stands out, set it aside. ![]() The lettering of a coin is one easy location to discover rarities. If some thing appears abnormal, take it to your local coin dealer for a professional opinion because you may have a rare coin on your hands! Look over the portrait from the forehead to the chin for any interesting marks, and don’t forget the rim. If something’s missing or you notice cracks within the piece, these are more than just mistakes - they’re worth money. Does the coin appear normal, or does something stand out? Sometimes, rare coins are easy to diagnose. This includes the front and back, the portrait, and its overall appearance from afar. Below, they explain how to tell if you have rare coins on your hands: Examine the Coin as a Wholeīefore you inspect individual aspects, look over the coin as a whole. American Coins & Gold has 6 locations throughout New York and New Jersey brimming with impressive coin selections. ![]() Not only are rare coins an interesting find, but they are also a profitable way to make the most of your pocket change. Whether you are an experienced coin collector or not, rare coins are an exciting discovery that can can prove to be very valuable. ‘How to Tell If You Have Rare Coins’ Posted by American Coins & Gold She is also the co-author of "The Geek Gap" and vice president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Minda Zetlin is a freelance writer covering business, money, tech and collectibles. You never know, one of your pennies could be worth the price of a nice dinner - or a whole lot more. With so many rare coins out there, being a "penny pincher" might not be such a bad thing after all. Additionally, they can help get your coin certified by a grading service and guide you through the entire selling process. Some auction houses offer free evaluations. If you think you've found a valuable penny, Stone suggests consulting a professional. If you think you've found a 1943 Bronze Lincoln, the Mint suggests testing it with a magnet first. Heritage auctioned a similar one - in slightly lower grade - for $186,000 earlier this month," he said.ĭue to its value, some counterfeits were created with steel cores. "A nice circulated example, like Lutes' coin, could sell for around $150,000 to $200,000. ![]() Stone estimates that 15 to 20 are known to collectors today, although it's possible that there are a few that have not yet been accounted for. Today, the 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is described as "the most famous error coin in American numismatics" - and the odds of finding one are astronomically against. "The few bronze coins that were struck went unnoticed and got released into circulation." At least, that's what was supposed to happen.Īs fate would have it, "some of the old bronze planchets got stuck in the big tote bins that the Mint used to feed the coin presses at the end of 1942," he said. Mint switched to making pennies from zinc-coated steel planchets, instead of the usual bronze coin blanks, Stone explained. In order to preserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. "The most valuable Lincoln cent sold privately in 2010 for $1.7 million," said Stone. Only a handful of these bronze pennies have been discovered, including the one found by Lutes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |