| Factors that Influence the Value of Collectible | | | | like gold bullion or platinum. These coin values are |
| Coins | | | | less volatile because the worth is guaranteed in |
| If you are interested in collecting coins, it's | | | | part by the material. A gold bullion coin, for |
| important to be able to have a rough idea of how | | | | example, is usually worth more than its melted |
| much coins are worth. Knowing how coin values | | | | weight, but it is never going to be worth less. |
| are determined will enable you to find good deals, | | | | Coin Values are Tempered by Grade or |
| and ensure that you don't get cheated into paying | | | | Classification |
| too much money for a coin with a low worth. | | | | The final major factor in determining coin values is |
| Supply Influences Coin Values | | | | the grade or classification of the coin. The more |
| One major factor in determining coin values is the | | | | wear and tear that a coin has undergone, the less |
| law of supply and demand. If there are many | | | | value it is going to have. This is why uncirculated |
| coins of a particular type available, that coin will | | | | coins are usually more valuable than coins that |
| not be worth much. On the other hand, if only a | | | | have been passed from hand to hand. |
| very few coins of that type are produced, the | | | | Uncirculated coins have always been kept in the |
| coin values will rise. This is why a completely | | | | very best of conditions, making their value much |
| normal-looking copper penny minted in 1943 is | | | | higher. A coin in flawless condition may be worth |
| worth about $200,000, whereas a 2,000 year old | | | | hundreds of times more than a low-grade version |
| Roman coin may be worth less than $100 - | | | | of the exact same coin. |
| because thousands upon thousands of Roman | | | | Now that you understand the basic factors that |
| coins were minted, but only 40 pennies produced | | | | influence coin values, you have a better grasp of |
| during war-time 1943 were made out of copper. | | | | which coins may have real value and which will be |
| Demand's Effect on Coin Values | | | | worthless. In order to get a ballpark estimate of |
| Even among coins with a similar number of copies | | | | the value of any coins you might have, you will |
| in existence, some have a higher worth than | | | | first need to determine its grade or classification. |
| others. This is because some coins are in higher | | | | You can do this by comparing your coin's condition |
| demand, driving up the coin values. Coins may | | | | to a published list of guidelines. Then look up the |
| become popular because they are particularly | | | | value of a coin in that condition in a book such as |
| lovely to look at, because they are part of a | | | | "The Standard Catalog of World Coins," which |
| topical set that is often chosen by collectors, or | | | | should be available in most public libraries. If you |
| because they have a certain historical significance. | | | | need to know the exact amount that your coin is |
| Precious Metals and Coin Values | | | | worth, you should take it to a coin dealer and let |
| Some coins are made out of precious materials | | | | him or her evaluate it for you. |