Coins and Their Value

So much can be learned about history by looking at coins.  The images portrayed on coins represent many different eras throughout history, in countries all over the world.  Visit your Michigan coin dealer to find books and other information about coins that will help you learn plenty of interesting information.

Coins that are still in circulation tend to be worth less than those coins no longer circulated.  For instance, the United States used to circulate coins made from gold, such as the Liberty Head coins, which were minted between 1838-1933.

Once the Great Depression began, the US stopped minting coins out of gold.  Because of this, they are especially valuable today.  Many of the gold coins were recalled, like the Indian Head and St. Gaudins versions, making them difficult to find.

Some wonder what the most valuable coin in the world may be.  It is actually a Double Eagle coin, minted in 1933.  Originally a $20 gold coin made in the 1800s, it was not circulated until around 1930.  In 2002, it was auctioned off for $8 million.

Because gold coins can be difficult to find and very expensive, many collectors do not try to collect these as a priority.  Instead, many try to find coins with interesting designs or coins from specific eras in history.

Some collectors enjoy searching high and low for coins with errors on them.  Mismarked coins, double imprints and crooked lettering can make for a very interesting and valuable coin.  These coins are often far more valuable than their face value.

Other coins that are especially valuable are coins that were only circulated for a short period of time.  These coins are typically more rare, and therefore tend to be more valuable.

Building a good coin collection takes time, and an investment of energy to select and seek the best coins.  Working with a Michigan coin dealer can help take some of the guesswork out of figuring out which coins are going to build the best collection.