Coin collecting questions and answers

1. What is the value of my coin?
2. Can you tell me about an error coin I have?
3. How much is my two-sided coin worth?
4. I have a cent (dated after 1982) that is not copper-plated and looks silver. Is it worth anything?
5. Where can I find a local coin shop?
6. How can I figure out the grade of a coin?
7. Will you buy my coins?
8. What coins are in a 20th Century Type Set?
9. What are the Boy Scouts of America coin collecting merit badge requirements?

1. What is the value of my coin?

You can check for your coin’s value at pcgs.com. For large collections, it may be easier to ask for an appraisal at a local coin dealer.

2. Can you tell me about an error coin I have?

CoinCollector.org deals mainly with non-error coins, however there are sites devoted entirely to error coins. You can get an idea of how much your error coin is worth at the coinsite.com US Error coin values.

3. How much is my two-sided coin worth?

It’s not worth anything to a collector since it is made for magicians to use in magic tricks or for pranks. It’s made by hollowing out a genuine coin and fitting another into the hollowed out piece. If you look closely you can see the slight ridge where the two coins were put together. They are readily available on the web. You can buy two-headed coins for a few dollars.

4. I have a cent (dated after 1982) that is not copper-plated and looks silver. Is it worth anything?

Probably not. An experiment commonly performed in high-school chemistry classes will turn a cent to a silver color, and some companies will silver-plated items.

5. Where can I find a local coin shop?

Here is a registry of ANA Dealers in good standing. You can also search the PCGS Authorized Dealer Directory. Another option is to search online for “coin dealer” followed by your city and state.

6. How can I figure out the grade of a coin?

Read the instructions at coingrading.com and practice with your own coins by taking them to a dealer to see what grade they would give the coin after you have given it a grade.

7. Will you buy my coins?

No. I’m not a coin dealer and I don’t buy and sell coins for profit. I don’t endorse any particular dealers, but there are many who will make you an offer if you ship your coins to them. Most dealers provide instructions regarding where and how to send them your coins. It is also recommended that you have a general idea as to their value before shipping them, so you’ll know what ballpark figure to expect. You can also sell your coins on Ebay.com as there are many collectors and dealers who buy coins there.

8. What coins are in a 20th Century Type Set?

Take a look at the 20th Century Coin Type Set Info page.

9. What are the Boy Scouts of America coin collecting merit badge requirements?

They are outlined here.