Collecting American Coins
Collecting American Coins can be a fun and sometimes profitable endeavor. Going through collections of American Coins that are found in your family’s bins, drawers and boxes can yield some very interesting finds. In fact, many of them can still be found in everyday pocket change!
The Indian Head penny is one of the oldest American Coins still occasionally found in circulation. If you wish to purchase collection grade Indian Head pennies, they can be purchased in the $2 – $5 range.
A more common collectible American Coin is the wheat penny. These can still be found in circulation, and a collectible grade wheat penny can be purchased for under a dollar.
Another somewhat common coin is the Buffalo nickel (sometimes referred to as an Indian Head nickel). These highly popular coins can be purchased for under $2.
The beautiful Mercury dime is an American Coin that celebrates the nation’s ideal of freedom. Collection grade Mercury dimes can be purchased in the $3-$5 range.
Although the new State Quarters have built some great collections, they have little value beyond a quarter, since they are so new.
A great quarter for collectors is the Standing Liberty quarter. These were minted during the period of 1916-1930. These lovely coins range in cost from $10 to $20.
Similar in design to the Standing Liberty quarter is the Walking Liberty half dollar. Walking Liberty halves cost less than $10.
Another occasionally-found half dollar is the Franklin half dollar. These silver-issue American Coins are usually less than $10 to buy.
Kennedy half dollars were issued in both silver and sandwiched versions. While you can usually find newer issue circulated Kennedy half dollars at your local bank, uncirculated coins will cost less than $2. Even the silver issues can be had for under $7.
When the silver dollar was reissued in 1971, after disappearing from the mints for 35 years, it came in the form of the Eisenhower dollar. Although it was called a silver dollar, they were actually a sandwich style coin. Most Eisenhower dollars can be bought in collector grade quality for under $7.
A newer dollar coin, the Susan B. Anthony, was minted in two different time periods. The first was from 1979 to 1981. It was coined again in 1999, for only one year. Collection grade Susan B. Anthony coins can be purchased from $2 to about $7.
So buy a good book on the values of American Coins, and go through all the coins in the house. Maybe you’ll find something special!