Discover the True Value of Your Old Coins

Expert price guides, grading tips, and market data for every U.S. coin from pennies to gold dollars.

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Browse Coins by Type

Explore our comprehensive coin value guides organized by denomination

1¢

Penny

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5¢

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10¢

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25¢

Quarter

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$1

Dollar

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How to Determine Your Coin's Value

Follow these four simple steps to find out what your old coins are worth today

1

Identify Your Coin

Look at the date, denomination, and design on your coin. Is it a Lincoln Penny, Mercury Dime, Morgan Dollar, or another type? The series and year are key starting points.

2

Check the Mint Mark

Find the small letter (D, S, O, CC, W) that indicates where your coin was minted. Certain mint marks are much rarer and more valuable. No mint mark usually means Philadelphia.

3

Assess the Condition

Coin condition (grade) has the biggest impact on value. A coin in Mint State (MS65) can be worth 100x more than the same coin in Good (G) condition. Use the Sheldon scale from 1-70.

4

Look Up Current Values

Use our database to find current market values based on recent auction results and dealer pricing from PCGS, NGC, and Heritage Auctions. Values are updated regularly.

Understanding Coin Grades

The Sheldon grading scale (1-70) is the industry standard for evaluating coin condition. Higher grades mean better condition and higher value.

G-4

Good

Heavy wear. Major design elements visible but details are flat. Most common grade for old coins found in circulation.

VG-8

Very Good

Well worn with main features clear. Some detail in the deeper recesses. A popular entry point for collectors.

F-12

Fine

Moderate even wear on high points. All lettering and major features are sharp. Good balance of affordability and detail.

VF-20

Very Fine

Light wear on high points only. All design details are sharp and clear. One of the most popular grades for collectors.

EF-40

Extremely Fine

Slight wear on highest points. Nearly all mint luster remains. Excellent detail with only trace wear visible.

AU-50

About Uncirculated

Barely any wear, only on the very highest points. Most original mint luster still present. Near-perfect appearance.

MS-60

Mint State

No wear at all — uncirculated. May have bag marks or contact marks. Full original luster. Start of the mint state range.

MS-65

Gem Mint State

No wear, strong luster, eye appeal, minimal marks. The sweet spot for serious collectors. Premium values.

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Accurate Data

Values based on actual auction results and dealer pricing from PCGS, NGC, and Heritage Auctions.

Updated Regularly

Our coin values are updated regularly to reflect current market conditions and recent sales.

Expert Grading Guide

Learn the Sheldon grading scale with our detailed visual grading guides for every coin type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about old coin values and coin collecting

The value of an old coin depends on several factors: its rarity (mintage numbers), condition (grade on the Sheldon scale from 1-70), mint mark, and current collector demand. Common circulated coins may be worth only slightly above face value, while rare key dates in high grades can be worth thousands or even millions of dollars. Use our search tool to look up your specific coin.
Four main factors determine coin value: (1) Rarity — how many were minted and how many survive today; (2) Condition — coins with less wear and more original detail are worth more; (3) Demand — popular series like Morgan Dollars and Mercury Dimes command premiums; (4) Errors and varieties — misstruck coins, doubled dies, and other minting errors can be extremely valuable.
Check three things: the date, the mint mark, and any unusual features. Key dates (years with low mintage) are more valuable. Certain mint marks (like "S" for San Francisco or "CC" for Carson City) can make a coin rarer. Look for errors like doubled lettering, off-center strikes, or wrong planchet errors. Our coin guides list all key dates and known varieties for each series.
Coin grading is the process of evaluating a coin's physical condition on the Sheldon scale from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect). Grading matters enormously because it directly impacts value — a 1916-D Mercury Dime in Good (G-4) condition is worth about $1,000, but the same coin in Mint State (MS-65) can be worth $75,000 or more. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC provide certified grades.
You have several options: (1) Local coin dealers — convenient but may offer lower prices; (2) Online auction houses like Heritage Auctions — best for rare, valuable coins; (3) eBay — good for common coins with active buyer base; (4) Coin shows and conventions — deal directly with collectors and dealers. For valuable coins (worth $500+), we recommend getting them professionally graded by PCGS or NGC first, as certified coins sell for significantly more.
Generally yes. U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 contain 90% silver. At current silver prices, their metal content alone makes them worth several times face value. A pre-1965 dime contains about 0.0723 troy ounces of silver, a quarter about 0.1808 oz, and a half dollar about 0.3617 oz. Beyond silver content, coins with key dates, low mintages, or high grades can be worth significantly more to collectors.