Baby Boomer Pocket Change

Basic Information on How to Determine the Value of your Pocket Change

So where do you start  in determining the value of your pocket change? Here is a great article I found that is easy to understand. It lays out some basic things you can do right now!

One of the tips were to get a copy of the Blue Book. So, I just picked one up a few weeks ago. You can click on the link below to grab your copy.

Tags: coins, value of coins

Coin Grading-The Professional Coin Grading Service

If you really, I mean really want to be able to understand the many coin magazines or books you need to know more about grading. I presented some terms to you in an earlier post.

I want to share a site that belongs to The Professional Coin Grading Service

Please book mark and study the wealth of information. Below, also, is one of the video updates provided by the service. Don’t worry if you do not understand it all the idea is to listen, learn and ask questions.

Here is a video update that was done in September, 2009 on providing an great update for coin collectors by the Professional Coin Grading Service.

Some Folks Just Want the Metal From The Coins

I have discovered that some folks just want to potential or current metal from coins. They do not collect them to pass down to their grandchildren. But they collect them for a short time then flip them for the value of the metal in the coins.

For example, today silver is at 17.56 an ounce and gold is 1108 an ounce. Now, if you had coins with silver or real gold and it does not have an error or is not a rare coin then you can sell if for the value of the metal. Ok, I know that was a really long sentence but you get the point.

So, check your coins for silver content. If you have gold coins check them also for the amount of gold and the price you can get. Now, note that you will NOT get the full  value of the spot price for gold. There are other considerations like the amount of gold, etc. But just know that if you have any coins with metal value and you need the money you can get to a coin dealer YOU TRUST for advice.

Also, if you want  to know what the value of silver and gold you can check out Kitco.

Tags: gold prices, metal value of coins, silver prices

Are You Still Collecting Quarters?-Check for Mintage Numbers

Are some of you still collecting quarters from the new series being minted? Well if you are, I have found out that the number of coins minted at a facility is important. Now from what I gather, the lower the mint run the more valuable the coin to collectors.

So, quarters like Puerto Rico, Samoa and Guam should be quarters you hang on to. This article, by Coin News Gives a good overview of the mintage.

Also refer to the Coin Value report on the Mintage of State Quarters.

Of course, after the newly released quarters are gone from the Mint then you will need to purchase from a dealer, on Ebay or at a coin show. However, read the Ebay descriptions very carefully. I saw one set of coins with a picture of them in cases that looked like they had been certified. However, when you read the description the seller says “In their opinion ” the coins would be certified as MS70.

Would you like to add anything?

Would you like to add anything?

Tags: coin collecting, coin values, mintage

What is Numismatics? How About All Those Other Strange Coin Terms?

According to the excellent glossary in CoinWorld,  numismatics is:

The science, study or collecting of coins, tokens, medals, orders and decorations, paper money and similar objects.

I encourage you to visit the glossary on this site. Why? Because they are one of the experts in the coin information.

Tags: coins, glossary, Numismatics

Are Mint Sets Good Investments?

As I continue to dig deeper into my theraputic and insightful journey into coin collecting I am in awe of the super great experts in the field. One of them, Susan Headley, I will often post information from her blog.

I have recently gotten excited about the cool mint sets. Not only do they make great gifts but they can be good investments. Now this article does not cover every mint set ever made but it gives you some good wise advice. You could  also start reading books like, United States Proof Sets and Mint Sets, 1936-2002. This is another way to learn more about mint sets.

 Now, take a few minutes to read this information post by Ms. Headley on ways to decide which mint sets are a good investment.

Tags: coin investments, investments, mint sets

Plan to Go to a Coin Show?

If you are planning to go to a coin show here are some practical tips to make your first time great a great experiance.

It is important to be equipt with as much information as possible.

Tags: coin shows

I Met a Collector on Twitter Today

I met a collector on twitter today. All of his posts are super informative. Below are a couple which I found to be really insightful. If you are on Twitter, be sure to look for him.

• 1909 S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny KEY Date SVDB http://bit.ly/7xKmw

• Gold, Silver Retreat as Stocks Surge http://tinyurl.com/p5ekfp

• Launch of First Commemorative British Indian Ocean Territory Coin http://tinyurl.com/oya66p

The Twitter address is Coincollection.

Are there other readers who are collectors on Twitter?

Tags: coin collector, twitter

Coin Facts-An Eye Opening Reference Site

Coin Facts is a very easy to use reference site. The site provides a handy navigation statement on each page that gets  you back to the home page. It also has a section giving you tips on how to make the best use of the site.

I explored the site by first clicking on the link for Jefferson nickels. I have one sitting next to my computer. So, I scrolled down to 1986D. (The D means that it was minted in Denver)

The site indicated that 361,819,140 coins are in circulation. (Mintage for circulation)

Under the category for Mintage for Proof there is 0.

After clicking on the link that says 1986D I get even more information. For example the coin is 75%Copper and 25%Nickel. Also, the designer’s name is Felix Schlag.

The site is expanding. There is a section called Frequently asked questions which, although it only has a few questions posted, I trust will expand quickly especially if you decide to ask a question.

I especially like the question posted and answered below:

I have a 1943 Bronze Cent.  How can I tell if it is real?
Less than a dozen genuine 1943 Bronze Cents are known, but there are literally tens of thousands of copper-plated 1943 Steel Cents.  Test a suspect 1943 Bronze Cent with a magnet.  If the coin is attracted to the magnet, it’s been copper-plated.  If not, contact us immediately. 

So join me ,as I glean even more information, from this site.

Tags: coin facts