Discover the Value of Rare Coins

Precious metals aren’t just about the metal. Rare and numismatic coins draw a great deal of their value from their condition and rarity. Certain coins have values that stretch far beyond their metal content.

This page is your guide to notable rare and numismatic coins and the steps to secure one.

Rare Coins and Numismatics

In some cases, rare coins are valued because of their place within American or world history. Their age alone is part of it, but more specific details about the provenance of these coins can also increase their worth.

Other coins may be valued for their designs. They often pay homage to Greek or Roman designs or deities. Some of them may also be crafted as near-replicas of Greek, Roman, or past American coins.

However, some new coins may also have major price tags. Some of them have limited mintages and are extraordinarily rare. Others have errors on them that reflect problems during the actual stamping of the coin.

Rare US Coins and American History

American history is only a few hundred years long. As such, many of its coins offer the opportunity to buy actual pieces of American history.

In some cases, the coins themselves are historically significant. In others, each surviving coin is important because of its coincidence with landmark events in America’s overall history.

The United States began producing coinage in 1793. The US Mint, newly authorized into law, began issuing various denominations of the dollar, which was the recently adopted currency of the new country.

Any surviving American coin from 1793 – 1800 is both rare and historically significant, regardless of its condition or denomination. Many of them bear unique marks on their designs, too, due to the instability of the minting process during the period.

One of the best examples of these types of coins are the Flowing Hair half dollars. These half dollars, only produced in 1794 and 1795, are both the earliest and rarest fifty-cent pieces ever produced by the United States. Even pieces in terrible condition fetch thousands of dollars, and mint-quality versions can command auction prices in the millions.

Some of the other rare US coins that are worth serious money include:

• 1804 Draped Bust dollar – Actually minted in 1830s to use for gifts to foreign dignitaries. Dollars minted in 1804 were mistakenly stamped with an 1803 date.
• 1933 Double Eagle – The last year of issuance. Featured Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Liberty design, which now appears on Gold Eagle.
• 1943 steel cent – Minted with steel due to wartime copper shortages.
• 1943-D copper penny – Mistakenly stamped on copper sheets not requisitioned by the US military. Only two of these pennies are currently known to exist.

Vintage Silver Coins: Precious Metal and Numismatic Value

Many rare coins are minted using gold. However, a good number of them are silver pieces.

In particular, silver dollars represent an easy example of vintage silver coins. Though the Mint continues to release a limited number of silver dollars, primarily as collectors’ pieces, there have been no dollars minted with silver since 1969 due to rising silver costs.

Thus, Morgan dollars and Peace dollars draw value from both their historical significance and their metal content. All Morgans and Peaces contain 90% silver and are valuable on that front.

On the other hand, the Morgan dollar was the dollar piece in the US during both the Industrial Revolution and the Wild West. Similarly, the Peace dollars are so named because they commemorate the end of World War I and were the coin of the Roaring 20s.

So, valuable and rare coins exist without the use of gold. You just have to know which ones to choose.

Entry Points for New Collectors

Now, it is ill-advised for new coin collectors to start with one of the rare and valuable coins mentioned above. For one thing, they are quite expensive. For another, new numismatists are likely to struggle to confirm the authenticity of one of these coins and are susceptible to fraud.

Instead, we suggest that new coin collectors focus their efforts on collecting sets of common coins. So, for instance, you can assemble a complete set of the 50 state quarters. Or you could put together a full run of Mercury dimes, which were produced between 1916 and 1945.

If you want something more specific, you can pick up some versions or vintages of some traditionally valuable coins. For instance, though the Morgan dollar is generally a rare coin, the 1883 Morgan had a large mintage and can still be purchased for less than $50.

Another option for new collectors is the 1964-D Jefferson nickel. Though Jefferson nickels aren’t usually valuable, ones in mint state or near-mint state can be had for less than $20. If you happen to grab one of the rarer ones, it might be worth hundreds of dollars.

Long story short, you don’t have to break the bank when you begin collecting coins.

Why Buy Rare Coins with JM Bullion?

You may be wondering why JM Bullion is the right place to shop for rare coins. In short, we provide a professional, transparent process to sell, package, and ship rare coins securely and efficiently.

JM Bullion is fully committed to ensuring the authenticity and quality of every coin. Each piece is graded by one of the industry leaders, either the NGC or the PCGS. Our team conducts rigorous checks internally and with external experts to verify authenticity, ensuring the coin you purchase is exactly as described.

Every order is carefully packaged in discreet containers without identifying marks that could attract theft. Packages are fully insured against loss or damage during transit. If anything happens, you can contact us immediately, and we’ll handle the issue promptly.

If you have questions or need guidance, our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you. We aim to ensure you’re confident and informed about your purchase, whether you’re ready to buy or just exploring your options.