Coin Collecting a Guide for Beginners Header

Coin Collecting FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some coin collecting FAQ (frequently asked questions) that should be helpful to you.

If you don't find what you are looking for, there is a search box at the very bottom of this page that you can use to search this site.

OR............

You can ask your question in the form provided below and have the answer posted on the site for the benefit of everyone.

Be sure to bookmark this page or add it to your favorite RSS feed to stay up to date on the latest Coin Collecting FAQ and answers.

Do you have a question that you don't see here? Do you want to have your question answered here for the benefit of other coin collectors who might have the same question?

Want to answer a question or make a comment on the questions already posted? If so............

Skip below to add your own question to the coin collecting faq.

Or jump right to the bottom to see what other collectors have asked. You will have the opportunity to answer any question or make a comment in this section as well.

First, though, here is a list of questions that are asked by most beginner coin collectors. Click the links to find the answer.

The answers to the questions below will open in a new window so that you do not lose your place. To return here, just close that window after you have finished reading.

Ok, Now Its Your Turn......

If you didn't find your question in the list of coin collecting FAQ above, you can ask it now!

Or you can answer a question or make a comment on a question that has already been answered.

Do you have a question about coin collecting?

Share your coin collecting questions here! Your question will be added to our FAQ.

To answer someone's question, or comment on the answers, click the question in the list below. You will be given to opportunity to post on the next page.

Enter a Short Question Title (ex, "What is a Mint Mark?")

Be more specific about your question here.[ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional)

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Your Questions, Answers and Comments

Click on the links below to read the answers to Coin Collecting Questions that were asked by visitors to this page.

You will be able to answer the question or leave other comments on the next page.

Finding Error Coin Values
Question: I have a coin that I believe is an error coin? How do I go about finding out if it is an error coin, and if so what it is worth?

My Answer: …...

Penny With State Outline On It
I have fifty penny with all states on it , imprinted on the front above the year. Is this worth anything? ...

is it good to save for axample, a penny for every year, or just a sample.
Question: I have pennies, shillings etc for lots of years, but a lot are the same except for the date. Is it right to save them all in albums as i am? …...

One-Sided Coin
I have a twenty dollar coin with the front side missing.Is this worth anything?...

Large Cents Question
More photos...

Rare Nickel
Question: I have a 2005 nickel, the face of the president is not centered, could this be a rare nickel? thanks

My Answer: Saundra, the nickel you …...

1964 yellow penny
Question: I have a 1964 yellow penny with no mint mark, front and back are slightly different than a normal penny. How rare is this penny? Should I have …...

How do I find other collectors to trade coins with?
Question: I live on the west coast and collect Presidential dollars and state quarters with my grand children. We get lots of Denver mints but no Philly …...

When did the US move the mint marks back to the right of Montecello on nickels?
Question: I read the article about Mr. Frith finding a rare Jefferson Nickel with a new 1942 die for the front of the coin but the back had the old 1941 …...

Are the transactions kept confidential?
Question: The bottom line; Does the government have access to purchase

records? Are all coins exempt from confiscation? i.e. those

without mint marks. …...

SILVER DOLLAR
Question" I have a 1974 silver dollar that looks new with an S on it. Someone turned it into a store for a purchase. Is it worth something? Also a …...

Can you help me identify a coin?
Question: Among some old US coins I found a tiny coin, approximately 1/2" in diameter and very thin. It appears to be a gold coin. The front of the …...

What does "reverse" mean on a description on a coin?
Question: Like an 1899-0 reverse, what does the reverse mean?

My Answer: "Reverse" simply means the back or 'tails' side of a coin.

In the …...

How can I locate banks which receive the new Quarters when they are minted?
Question: Commerce Bank (now TD Bank) used to have a Quarters Club where you would be notified when the new State quarters where available and come into …...

Is this penny worth anything?
Question: I have a 1956 penny with the letter, D, underneath the date and the back of the penny does not have the Lincoln Memorial on it. Is this penny …...

1834 Classic Head Half Eagle Value
Question: Can you give me an approximate value of a $5.00 gold 1834 Classic Head 1/2 Eagle?

My Answer: Thank you for contacting me with your question, …...

1776 TWENTY DOLLAR COIN?
Question: I Have a 1776 TWENTY DOLLAR COIN. Why doesn't it say UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the other side and is it worth anything?

My Answer: The …...

No mint mark on morgan dollars. Where do I look next?
Question: I have several morgan dollars ranging from 1900 to 1922. I have looked for the mint mark, under the eagle and above the "D" , but cannot …...

2x2 paper/mylar holders
Question: When putting coins in 2x2 paper/mylar coin holders, why are staples used as opposed to using clear plastic tape around the edges ?

My Answer: …...

What are coins made of?
Question: What material(s) are US coins (penny, nickels, dimes, etc.) made from? I think I once heard coins from the 60's,(different time periods) had …...

Obtaining Bulk Coins
Question: How can I obtain boxes(50 rolls) of pennies? I tried going to banks but they claim they don't have the 2009 Lincoln pennies.

My Answer: …...

How i need to start as kid?
Hi, i am Wout, an 11 years old kid from belgium.

I want to start collecting coins.

My grandma give me some franks (now we got euro but before the …...

What is a large date or small date on a coin?
Question: I see different descriptions about a coin and there is a description saying the coin has a large or small date. What does that mean and how …...

Nickel Error?
Extra Window on Monticello
Question: I happened across a 1970 nickel. On the back, upon further review I noticed that the Monticello had an extra window. When looking at the …...

Click here to write your own.

Are nickels with errors important?
There does not seem to be any websites with error nickels .
I have an error nickel that is doubling around the collar, chin, nose and forehead. Some of the letters are pressed flat.

Thank you for your time. …...

What is a Counterfeit?
Question: How can I determine if a coin is a counterfeit coin or not?

My Answer: In short, you probably can't determine if a coin is a counterfeit …...

Is a Proof Coin Worth More Than an Uncirculated Coin?
Question: Is a proof coin worth more than an uncirculated coin?

My Answer: Not necessarily. I would say that probably a majority of the …...

What about eBay?
Question: I was wondering what you thought about buying coins from an auction site like eBay? Is is a good idea?

My Answer: I have …...

What coins do people collect?
Question: What coins do people collect? How will I know if I am doing it right?

My Answer: Different people collect coins in different …...

Why collect coins?
Question: What are some reasons people collect coins?

My answer: A collection of coins is like a miniature art collection. Many people …...

Small 'w' on Reverse of Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Question: On the reverse side of a 1943 walking liberty 1/2 dollar, there is a 'w' to the right of the HALF DOLLAR and just under the tip of 1 feather. …...

just wanted to know about a coin i found...
Question: I found a Deutsches Reich 1905 10 pfennig mint mark A,and just wanted to know if anyone knows anything about them as i cant seem to find anything …...

Should coins be left in rolls when collecting?
I buy Presidential dollars in rolls from the bank. I have been leaving them in the paper roll thinking the intact roll may have more value than individual …...

How can I get a price guide on pennies I've saved?
Question: I have several gallon jars of pennies I have saved over many years. I'm sure many are only worth 1 cent each. But I'm sure I have a few that …...

kennedy 40% half dollar weigh?
Question: What does a Kennedy 40% silver half dollar weigh?

My Answer: The weight for the Kennedy Half Dollars dated 1965-1970 with a composition …...

What does 2 of Date over 1 mean?
Question: In my 2010 Rotographic Collectors Coins GB Annual I keep coming across notes against coins as under:-

2 of date over 1

…...

How many 1982 d small date pennies were minted?
Question: I would like to know how many 1982 d small date us cents were minted.

My Answer: Nick, as far as I know, the Mint has never released the …...

What is a Double Cracked Skull Penny?
Question: I have a set of two pennies I bought at a convention a long time ago, both 1960 d and on the cardboard protective cover it says double cracked …...

1795 Jefferson Head Lettered Edge Liberty Cap Cent
Question: I believe my son has a 1795 Jefferson Head Lettered Edge Liberty Cap Cent. The details are difficult to determine because of what looks like …...

Ocean In View Error Nickels
Question: I own over 20 sealed boxes of the "2005 Ocean In View" P & D nickels. So I decided to open a few up. I found a few nickels with the "ST" …...

Are Silver One Cent Pennies Rare?
Question: I have a Lincoln/Lincoln Memorial Building 1959 One Cent Penny, without D or P. It is SILVER coated (looks like a dime) on both sides, and …...

What does the "m" value mean?
Question:

Dear CCGFB:

I have the rare opportunity this summer to sift through my coin collection and see exactly what I have, and from my grandparents' …...

Do banks accept miniature coins?
Question: Are miniature coins as valuable as they read and would a bank accept them?

My Answer: Miniature coins are made as novelty items by private …...

Click here to write your own.