I’m a novice at investing in silver coins. Coin dealers are claiming a .50 fee per coin and it doesn’t matter if I buy one or a hundred or more…the fee is still the same. I’m interested in about a hundred and I feel that a .50 dealer fee per coin for that many coins is a little steep. How can I get a better rate?
call the federal reserve
by: tx askerrrr
on: 8th March 08
I have some old coins that are really looking their ages. Back when I was in elementary school, they had taught us how to clean up pennies, but that’s been a while and I forgot. Help?
Thanks.
Before you clean old coins, get them looked at by a dealer. Some coins lose value from getting cleaned.
by: thezaylady
on: 11th April 07
I’ve been wanting to buy something to keep my coins in – like a folder so i can store but view my coins. Like a stamp album i guess…any ideas?
Your best bet is a local coin dealer. They should have many options which will allow you to view either one side or both sides of the coins, depending on how you want to display them.
2×2 ‘flips’ are cardboard containers designed to have its ends be stapled together with a coin in the display window. This will show off both sides of the coin and you can label them however you wish. Combined with clear plastic pages, which usually hold 20 of the flips, this is the most expensive and time consuming option (we are talking a few dollars total for about 50 flips, a few plastic pages to hold them, staples, etc.), but also the most personalized. Usually only dealers have these types of supplies, although a good hobby shop may have some as well (or look on-line). You can then put the pages in a typical 3 ring binder that you can find at an office supply store.
Whitman folders are another option. They usually show only 1 side of each coin (unless you get the deluxe versions) and many already come labeled with each date, and mint combination. They can also come with blank openings, which will allow you to label them yourself. These can be found in coin shops, hobby shops, and bookstores.
I typically use flips, but I have both types of holder and have been doing this for a while. The folders are cheaper and do a good job as well. It really comes down to what you like best.
by: Chris
on: 21st April 08
world coins in all grades
This is something you need to have checked out by a dealer. Go somewhere and see someone you can trust. Don’t be afraid to get second opinions. They will be able to tell you what the collection is worth. You could also buy a krause manual for identifying world coins and look the prices up in it. You should know however that krause books can get pricey.
by: Blue T
on: 16th October 07
My Dad has coins from the late 1800′s that we need to clean so we can read them.
These coins can be very valuable. Do not clean them with a liquid. Use only a dry rag. When you bring them to a dealer for price value, they all want to see dirt. The call it “provenance”. We call it dirt. But in the old coin business, dirt = provenance = $. Leave the cleaning to the professional collectors.
by: Joseph
on: 22nd March 10
if not onlline then need addresses to contact valuers of coins
type in your coins and press enter it will bring up dealer who sell that type of coins and how much they will sell it .it will give some ideal what they arr worth.
by: dog eat dog
on: 3rd June 06
I’ve 1981 Australian 50cent coin imprinted with a picture of HRH the Prince of Wales & Lady Diana. Does it has a value?
1 – Take your coin to a local coin dealer (trustworthy ones can be found – shop around). It never hurts to get a second opinion. They will be able to tell you so much more by evaluation the condition of the coins. They will also know the amount minted and what it is going for in today’s market.
2 – Try posting pictures on this website (there are many experts here that can help you evaluate it – there also may be people willing to buy if you are trying to sell):
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp
3 – Repost this question and include pictures. You can use websites like http://www.photobucket.com and include the link in your question.
Good luck!
P.S. You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.
When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin’s metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.
Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces – which can be found by the knowledgeable collector – who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a “cleaned” slab (also called a “body bag” in the coin world) – which is usually a greatly decreased value.
If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don’t risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!
I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.
by: Blue T
on: 26th November 07
Where can I get a Coin Apprasel
Any coin shop or coin dealer should be able to help you. You can look under coin dealers or numismatics in the yellow pages to find a local dealer. If you have more than one in your area I would take the collection to several to get a better feel for the value of the collection.
Remember, they will want to see the coins as that is the only way they can assess the condition of the coins.
Have fun.
by: BD in NM
on: 12th March 08
tell me your thoughts on where to ad and how you feel about asking for people to send mea coin or paper money (the older the coin, or not, the better) to add to my collection? would it be safe? U think people would do it?
Its NOT to get Free Money…it,s to get a peice of history from OTHER countries, and enjoy the nice pictures.
i would just find a coin dealer in your area and deal with him or if you wanted to try out your idea you could ask them for a trade, you send an american coin and they send you some of there money.
by: brad
on: 31st July 10
I have inherited my father’s coin collection and haven’t a clue where to start. Could someone please tell me what I need to do for a valuation? Thanks!
Any dealer in Albany NY area would be great, thank you!
One of the best dealers I know of happens to live in Albany. His name is Frank Robinson, and he is a very ethical, nice person. Have him look at it, he will tell you what you have and make you a fair offer. You are of course free to sell them on Ebay yourself if you wish to instead. His email is:
frank@fsrcoin.com
You are very lucky to live in Albany. 
P.S. I have bought coins from this dealer for years, and he is one of the best. You can also do a search and find out for yourself that other coin collectors have nothing but good things to say about him.
by: medoraman
on: 1st November 06