Ensuring Old Coin Values

by Sylvie Clashmire

Old coin values increase as time goes by. Your coin collection can become a worthwhile investment if you keep it long enough. Knowing what determines its value and how to properly care for your collection is essential for any coin collector.

How is Coin Value Determined?

The factors that determine old coin values are the condition and rarity of a particular coin. The demand for a coin also influences the value and whatever historical value it might have. The actual value of a coin can be found by consulting the Blue Book or Black Book (for non-US coins).

The demand for a given coin is determined mainly by the coin’s rarity. Old coin values are much higher for those coins that are very rare. Sometimes even very old coins aren’t worth very much if there were so many printed that they are very easy to come by.

Historical old coin values are fairly subjective. If someone is really into to ancient Greece then they will no doubt place higher value on these coins. If you have a specialty coin to sell then it is best to find out its historical value so that you target the right group of buyers.

Old coin values are largely dependent on coin condition. This can be difficult to gauge sometimes but luckily the Sheldon Scale helps us determine the condition of a coin. The Sheldon Scale is a comprehensive 70 part scale that many coin dealers use. Coins that are very worn and difficult to read are considered the least valuable while those that are near perfect are considered mint.

Keep Your Valuable Coins Valuable

No matter the condition of a coin when you buy it you can make sure that its condition does not get any worse. This will ensure you old coin values always increase with age.

Don’t handle your coins very often. When you do handle them, always hold them by the edges only. The oils and acids from our hands can increase the deterioration of our coins thus lowing old coin values over time.

Another thing to remember is not to clean your coins. Every time you handle or scrub the coin you wear some of it away. Most cleaners have a negative effect on the coin as well. So always remember to resist the urge to shine or clean your favorite coins.

To maintain optimal old coin values it is important to correctly store your coins. Many people store their coins in paper envelopes or plastic sheathes but this can be detrimental to old coin values. The chemicals in plastic facilitate the break down of coins and the acid in most papers likewise eat away your coins. Make sure you use only acid-free paper to store your coins. it is also important to avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.

With a little effort, you should be able to keep your old coin values from dropping. Your collection could be worth a fortune someday if you are diligent about its care.

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Monday, June 29th, 2009 Coin Collecting

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