All Rare Coins at JM Bullion

Rare Coins offer investors and collectors a chance to purchase specimens of historical significance with room for appreciation in value over time. Whether it is American coins, notes, or coins from other nations and time periods, rare coins connect collectors to bygone eras in world history and provide a tangible, valuable asset to any portfolio. So, what types of rare coin segments are available at JM Bullion, and what makes these coins rare?

Value of Rare Coins

There are many contributing factors to the rarity of historic coins. While many investors will first look to the gold or silver content of the coin, precious metal value is only one piece of the pie when determining the value of a rare coin. Other important factors include:

• Current condition
• Limited mintages
• Limited production run
• Unique designs
• Distinct mint marks
• Production flaws or errors

When looking at any given rare coin in totality, you may find that several of the factors above contribute to its overall value as an investment or collectible piece. For example, Carson City Mint coinage (both silver dollars and Pre-33 gold) is often coveted by collectors for a variety of factors. First and foremost, the Carson City Mint not only had a brief operational life, but it also produced most coins in far lower numbers than other branch mints. As such, Morgan Dollars and Pre-33 Gold Coins (for example) with the CC mint mark are coveted by rare coin collectors.

Pre-33 US Gold

Arguably, the most popular segment of rare coins is Pre-1933 US Gold. Before 1933, gold coins were part of the backbone of American currency. From 1794 to 1933, the US Mint produced gold coins in a variety of denominations ranging from the US Eagle Series ($20, $10, $5, and $2.50) to $3 gold coins and $1 gold coins. For the most part, these historic gold coins featured 90% gold content and 10% copper (1834 onward).

US Silver Dollars

Silver dollars were among the earliest coins struck and issued by the United States following the founding of the US Mint in 1792. The Flowing Hair Dollar, America’s first silver dollar, was issued in 1794 and has achieved several impressive record sales at auctions in the 21st century. It is more common to find silver dollars from the Seated Liberty (1836-1873), Morgan Dollar (1878-1904, 1921), and Peace Dollar (1921-1928, 1934-1935) eras. Morgan Dollars, in particular, attract a lot of attention among rare coin buyers. Specimens such as those from the Carson City Mint and those discovered in private hoards combine limited numbers of surviving specimens and historical significance for any collector.

Cents, Nickels, Quarters, and Half Dollars

While metal content, such as 90% gold or 90% silver, plays a big role in the attractiveness of a rare coin, other US currency, such as cents, nickels, quarters, and half dollars, also delivers when it comes to rare value. Many of these denominations featured issue years with extremely limited mintages and/or design concepts that saw a much shorter production life at the US Mint. Examples such as the Draped Bust Cent capture a snapshot of coin production that was different than any other point in American history. Early cents, such as the Draped Bust coin, were struck with near-100% pure copper and produced on blanks the size of a modern-day US quarter, a far cry from the diminutive penny in circulation today and its cupro-nickel alloy.

Commemorative Silver

Beyond factors such as metal content, age, and rarity, commemorative US silver coins also appeal to collectors. The primary appeal of commemorative silver is often found in the historical significance of the design. Many of these coins are struck for a specific time and purpose, recalling an important moment in history.

Shop All Rare Coins at JM Bullion

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