If you have a jar of old coins sitting around, here is what you need to know right away: a coin is worth investigating further if it has a rare date, an unusual mint mark, a minting error, or if it is made of silver or gold. Most coins in everyday change are worth face value, but a small number can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and the difference often comes down to a few details you can check at home with a magnifying glass.
This guide walks you through exactly how to do that, step by step. By the end, you will know how to look up coin values for free, how to understand grading, which specific coins to watch for, and when it makes sense to get a professional appraisal.
What Makes a Coin Valuable?
A coin’s value comes down to five main factors. Understanding each one helps you figure out whether you are holding loose change or something worth keeping.
Rarity: The fewer coins of a specific year and mint mark that exist, the more valuable each one becomes. Some coins had low mintage figures to begin with. Others were melted down over time. Either way, scarcity drives value.
Condition (Grade): Condition is graded on the Sheldon Scale, which runs from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (absolutely perfect). A coin in Mint State 65 can be worth 10 times as much as the same coin in Fine condition. We cover grading in detail further down in this guide.
Mint Mark: The mint mark tells you where a coin was made. An ‘S’ means San Francisco, a ‘D’ means Denver, and no mark usually means Philadelphia. Certain mint marks are rarer than others for specific years, which is what makes a coin like the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent so sought after.
Metal Content: Coins made of silver or gold have intrinsic metal value on top of any collector value. Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars are made of 90% silver. Even a worn, common-date example in poor condition is worth more than face value because of the silver content.
Minting Errors: Errors happen when something goes wrong during the striking process. A doubled die, an off-center strike, or a missing design element creates a coin that looks different from the standard issue. Collectors prize these because they are genuinely unique. A well-documented error can be worth many times its catalog value.
How to Check If a Coin Is Worth Money (Step by Step)
You do not need any special equipment to do an initial evaluation. Here is a practical process you can do at home.
Step 1: Read the Date and Mint Mark
Turn the coin over and find the date. The mint mark is usually on the obverse (heads side) near the bottom or on the reverse (tails side) on older coins. Write down the year and the mint mark. This is the starting point for any research.
Step 2: Look Up the Coin
Search for your coin on PCGS CoinFacts (free to use online) or the NGC Price Guide. Type in the coin type, year, and mint mark. These databases list estimated values for each grade, and they are updated regularly. The Red Book (‘A Guide Book of United States Coins’) is also a reliable printed reference
Step 3: Assess the Condition
Look at the coin under good light with a magnifying glass. Ask yourself: how much detail is left on the highest points of the design? Is the coin worn flat, or are the fine lines still visible? Compare what you see to the grading images on PCGS CoinFacts. You are looking for an approximate grade, not a certified one.
Step 4: Check for Errors
Look at the design elements carefully. Is the date doubled? Are there extra lines, shifted images, or unusual marks? Run a search for your coin type with the word ‘error’ to see what known errors exist for that date and mint.
Step 5: Decide Whether a Professional Appraisal Makes Sense
If the coin appears to be worth over $100, or if you are unsure, a professional appraisal is worth considering. An appraiser with PCGS or NGC submitter credentials will give you an honest value and can explain exactly what you have. At Mountain View US and Foreign Coins, David offers free appraisals and can evaluate coins via photo before you make any decisions. You can text photos of your coins to (415) 952-6467.
Key Coin Dates and Mint Marks Worth Looking For
Not every old coin is valuable, but these specific dates and mint marks consistently attract collector interest. If you have any of these, it is worth getting them evaluated.
Coin | What to Look For | Why It Is Valuable | Rough Value Range |
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent | S mint mark, VDB initials on reverse | Low mintage (484,000), first year of Lincoln penny | $700 to $3,000+ |
1916-D Mercury Dime | D mint mark, winged Liberty head | Very low mintage (264,000) in Denver | $900 to $20,000+ |
1932-D Washington Quarter | D mint mark below the eagle | Key date with only 436,800 minted | $100 to $2,000+ |
1893-S Morgan Dollar | S mint mark on reverse | One of the rarest Morgan dollars | $5,000 to $100,000+ |
1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel | D mint mark, buffalo missing front leg | Die error, distinctive and widely recognized | $500 to $5,000+ |
Value ranges are rough estimates based on publicly available PCGS data and can vary significantly based on grade, eye appeal, and market conditions. Always get a professional appraisal for coins you believe may be valuable.
Understanding Coin Grading
Coin grading is the standardized system used to describe a coin’s condition. The Sheldon Scale goes from 1 to 70. Here is how the main grades break down in practical terms:
Grade Range | Label | What It Looks Like |
1 to 8 | Poor to Good | Heavy wear. Major details visible but little fine detail remains. |
12 to 20 | Fine to Very Fine | Moderate wear but all major features are clear. A typical circulated coin. |
40 to 58 | Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated | Light wear on the highest points only. Some original luster still present. |
60 to 70 | Mint State | No wear at all. MS-70 is a perfect coin with no flaws visible under magnification. |
For most inherited or found coins, you are evaluating condition in the range of Good to Very Fine. A coin in Fine condition (F-12) is not very valuable for common dates, but for a key date like the 1916-D Mercury Dime, even a Fine example can be worth thousands.
Common Minting Errors and What They Mean
Minting errors are mistakes that happened during the production process. They are not damage that occurred after a coin left the mint. Knowing the difference matters because post-mint damage reduces value while genuine mint errors increase it.
Doubled Die
The design looks doubled or shifted. This is caused by a misaligned hub being pressed into the die more than once. The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is the most famous example and routinely sells for over $1,000 in circulated condition.
Off-Center Strike
Part of the design is missing because the planchet (blank coin) was not centered under the die. The more off-center and the more of the visible date, the more valuable the coin.
Broadstrike
The coin expanded beyond its normal diameter because the retaining collar was missing during striking. These coins look slightly larger and flatter than normal.
Wrong Planchet
A coin struck on a blank meant for a different denomination. For example, a dime struck on a cent planchet. These are rare and highly collectible.
Clipped Planchet
Part of the coin’s edge is missing, creating a curved cut. This happens when the blank is punched too close to a previously punched area of the metal strip.
Free Tools to Research Your Coins
You do not need to pay anything to get a basic idea of what your coins might be worth. These resources are free and widely used by serious collectors.
- PCGS CoinFacts: Comprehensive database of US coins with population reports, auction records, and graded values by grade level.
- NGC Price Guide: Similar to PCGS, with pricing data for US and world coins across all grades.
- USA Coin Book: A free beginner-friendly reference for common US coins with estimated values.
- Numista: Particularly useful for foreign coins and world coins, with identification tools and collector data.
For any coin that looks like it could be worth over $100, move beyond free tools and get a professional evaluation. Online research gives you a starting point, not a final answer.
How to Check Coins in Your Pocket Change
You do not need to dig through old collections to find valuable coins. Here is what to look for in everyday circulation:
- Check all quarters dated before 1965. These are 90% silver and worth several dollars each for the metal alone.
- Look at dimes dated before 1965 for the same reason.
- Examine pennies from 1909, 1914, 1922, 1931, and 1955 closely. These dates include key dates and known error coins.
- Check nickels from 1942 to 1945 for a P, D, or S mint mark above the dome on the reverse. These are silver-content wartime nickels.
- Any coin that looks dramatically different from others of the same type (wrong color, wrong size, unusual marks) is worth looking up.
Should You Clean Your Coins?
No. This is one of the most common mistakes people make, and it almost always reduces a coin’s value. Cleaning removes the natural patina that develops over time, which collectors call original surfaces or original skin. A cleaned coin will be graded as ‘cleaned’ by PCGS or NGC and will be worth significantly less than an uncleaned example in the same condition.
If a coin looks dirty, leave it alone. Store it in a soft cloth or a coin flip and let a professional appraiser see it as-is.
When to Get a Professional Coin Appraisal
You should consider a professional appraisal if:
- A coin matches one of the key dates or error types listed in this guide
- A coin is made of gold or silver and looks to be in decent condition
- You inherited a collection and want to understand its overall value before deciding what to do with it
- You are thinking about selling and want to know a fair price before approaching a buyer
A reputable coin appraiser will never pressure you to sell. Their job is to give you an honest assessment of what you have. At Mountain View US and Foreign Coins, we offer free appraisals with no obligation to sell. David has over 14 years of experience, is an ANA member, and is an authorized submitter for PCGS, NGC, and CAC. If you are in the Bay Area (Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Cupertino, or Milpitas), we are available to evaluate your coins in person or by photo.
Text photos of your coins to (415) 952-6467 for a free assessment. We respond quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my old coins are worth money?
Start by checking the date and mint mark. Look them up on PCGS CoinFacts or the NGC Price Guide for free. If the combination appears on a list of key dates or error coins, or if the coin is made of silver or gold, it is worth getting appraised by a professional.
What is the most valuable coin I might actually find at home?
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent and 1916-D Mercury Dime are among the most valuable coins that still occasionally turn up in old collections. Pre-1965 silver coins (dimes, quarters, half dollars) are more common and worth several dollars each in any condition due to silver content.
Can I find valuable coins in my everyday change?
Rarely, but yes. Pre-1965 silver coins do still show up in change occasionally. Error coins also circulate undetected. It is worth spending a few seconds looking at dates and checking for anything that looks unusual.
Does cleaning a coin increase or decrease its value?
It almost always decreases it, sometimes dramatically. Cleaning removes the natural patina that collectors value. A cleaned coin will be flagged as ‘cleaned’ by grading services and will receive a lower grade and lower value than an identical uncleaned example.
How much does a coin appraisal cost?
At Mountain View US and Foreign Coins, coin appraisals are free with no obligation to sell. You can text photos for a free initial assessment at (415) 952-6467, or arrange to have your collection evaluated in person if you are in the Bay Area.
What is a mint mark and why does it matter?
A mint mark is a small letter stamped on a coin to indicate which US Mint facility produced it. S means San Francisco, D means Denver, and O means New Orleans (on older coins). Certain mint marks are rarer than others for specific years, which makes them more valuable to collectors.
What is coin grading, and why does it affect value?
Coin grading is the process of assigning a numeric score (from 1 to 70 on the Sheldon Scale) to describe a coin’s condition. Higher grades mean less wear and more original detail. The same coin can be worth $10 in Good condition and $500 in Extremely Fine condition, which is why condition is one of the most important factors in determining value.