Blog
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30 Most Valuable Commemorative Coins You Might Own
The most valuable U.S. commemoratives include 1915-S Panama-Pacific gold and the 1900 Lafayette Dollar. Auction prices reach $200,000 in top grades. Read more
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Heritage Auctions vs Stack’s Bowers: Where to Sell Rare Coins
Heritage Auctions delivers higher volume with stronger online reach. Stack’s Bowers commands premium results for true rarities and pre-1850 material. Read more
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18 Canadian Royal Mint Commemoratives Worth Money: Terry Fox to Black Toonie
Most Canadian Royal Mint commemoratives are worth only face value. Colored toonies and the Terry Fox loonie carry the real premiums. Read more
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Live Auctioneers vs Heritage vs Stacks Bowers: Online Coin Auction Comparison
Heritage and Stack’s Bowers vet and guarantee coins. LiveAuctioneers aggregates many small third-party sellers. Match the online coin auction to your budget. Read more
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22 Most Valuable Modern US Mint Errors of the 2020s: 2020 to 2026
The most valuable modern US Mint errors of the 2020s are wrong-planchet and off-metal strikes. They can sell for thousands of dollars at auction. Read more
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22 Most Valuable Two-Dollar Bills (And Coins) in Your Wallet
The most valuable two-dollar bills are 1800s notes worth thousands. Seal color and serial numbers drive their value. Most modern $2 bills stay near face value. Read more
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Morgan Dollar vs Peace Dollar: Spotting the Differences
The quickest way to tell a Morgan dollar from a Peace dollar is Liberty’s crown and the eagle pose. Both coins are struck in 90% silver. Read more
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Wheat Penny Identification Guide: 1909-1958 Year-by-Year
Wheat penny identification covers cents struck from 1909 to 1958. The date and mint mark sit below the year. The 1909-S VDB leads the key dates. Read more
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18 Coins Found in Estate Sales That Made Real Money
Estate sales hide real money in old coin boxes. Top finds include 1909-S VDB cents and Carson City Morgan dollars. Learn what turns a cheap lot into cash. Read more
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16 Canadian Loonie 1 Dollar Errors and Varieties Worth Hunting
The rarest Canadian loonies are dramatic mint errors and low-mintage commemorative years. Strong examples can sell for several hundred dollars at auction. Read more
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New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Pre-Confederation Coins Identification
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia issued coins before joining Canada in 1867, including pennies and half pennies. These coins are sought after for their history and design. Read on to discover their features and values. Back in the… Read more
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How to Spot a Counterfeit Gold Coin: Fake Detection for Collectors
Detecting counterfeit gold coins involves examining weight, edge reeding, and magnetic properties. Genuine gold coins exhibit unique characteristics such as precise dimensions and consistent markings. Learn essential tips to protect your collection. Let’s kick things off with the… Read more
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How to Tell if a Coin Has Been Cleaned (And Why It Matters)
Detecting a cleaned coin involves checking for unnatural surfaces, which can drastically reduce value. Signs include hairlines, brightness, and a lack of original patina. Here’s how to spot them and why they’re important. Any seasoned collector will tell… Read more
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How to Identify Canadian Blank Planchet Quarter Errors (Missing Caribou)
Canadian blank planchet quarter errors, missing the iconic caribou, are rare yet thrilling finds for collectors. Knowing their key identifiers aids in distinguishing them from standard issues. This guide unpacks identifying features and market value aspects. The Canadian… Read more
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Papal States Coins: Pope-by-Pope Identification 1500 to 1870
Papal States coins cover nearly 400 years, each pope bringing unique designs from 1500 to 1870. These coins tell of papal prestige and regional history. Look for mint marks and papal portraits to uncover their secrets. Kicking off… Read more
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Silver Eagle vs Gold Eagle: Investment Coin Comparison
The American Silver Eagle offers a lower entry cost, with 2023 editions priced around $30. Gold Eagles, however, appeal to serious investors, costing over $2,000 for a one-ounce coin. We compare their investment potential with historical data. The… Read more
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What is a Doubled Die Error and How to Spot One
A doubled die error occurs during the minting process and results in a coin with an image appearing twice. These errors can significantly increase a coin’s value, especially with known examples like the 1955 Lincoln penny. Learn how… Read more
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Cash vs Card vs Check at Coin Shows: Paying for High-Value Coins
When buying high-value coins at shows, many collectors prefer cash for its negotiating power. Cards offer convenience but might incur fees. Checks can be useful if dealers accept them, verifying funds is key. Cash is often seen as… Read more
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Black Toonie Variants: Identification and Value Reference Guide
The Canadian black toonie is a unusual piece largely known for its striking color variance. Introduced in 1996, these variants sometimes miss their distinctive outer ring, resulting in scarce pieces of interest to collectors. Learn about their identification,… Read more
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Newfoundland Coin Identification 1865 to 1949 Year Guide
Newfoundland coins minted from 1865 to 1949 include rare and valuable pieces like the 1873 20-cent coin. Different mint marks and years influence value. Learn key identification tips and auction trends here. From 1865 to 1949, Newfoundland introduced… Read more