What Is My Coin Worth?

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What Is My Coin Worth?
By Dr. Sol Taylor
"Making Cents"
The Signal
Saturday, December 3, 2005

T
he chances of finding any of the following coins in circulation vary from "nearly none" to zero. The rare occurrence of some kid spending some of grandpašs coin collection or a widow dipping into her late husbandšs coin cabinet to buy groceries is just that — rare. Bank tellers occasionally come up with a few rolls of coins that obviously are very old — sometimes Buffalo nickels or silver dimes, or even Indian head cents.
    In my 65 years of looking at coins, banks often represented my best sources of obsolete and valuable coins. In the past 30 years, that avenue has largely been closed, except for silver half dollars, which seem to show up more than most of the other "keepers."
    The following list is extracted from several coin dealersš lists of prices they will pay for average circulated coins. If you have any of these coins, these prices are pretty typical of what you can expect. The actual condition will affect the final price. That factor is up to the dealer, since he or she is qualified to assess a coinšs grade.
    Any Indian head cent with full rim and date 1880-1909 is worth 60-75 cents; 1908-S, $40; 1909-S, $90.
    Lincoln cents: 1909 VDB, $2.50; 1909-S, $50; 1910-S, $5; 1911-S, $10; 1912-S, $8; 1913-S, $4; 1914-D, $80; 1914-S, $8; 1915-S, $5; 1922-D, $5; 1924-D, $9; 1926-S, $2; 1931-S, $40.
    Jefferson Nickels: 1938-D, 50c; 1938-S, 50c; 1939-S, 25c; 1939-D, $1.50; 1950-D, $7; 1942-1945 wartime issues, 15 cents each.
    Buffalo nickels: No date, 10 cents each; 1934-1938, 25c; others from 1913 to 1931 are all worth a premium, and having a full date is very important.
    Roosevelt dimes: 1946-1964, 50 cents each; no premium dates.
    Mercury dimes: 1916-D, $250; 1921, $10; 1921-D, $10; 1926-S, $3; 1931-S, $3; 1939-1945, 50 cents each.
    Washington quarters: 1932-D and 1932-S, $25 each; 1937-S, $1.25; other dates (1934-1964), $1.25 each.
    Standing Liberty quarters: 1916, $400; 1921, $90; 1923-S, $200; 1924-D, $30 (must have all four digits in date showing). Other dates with two or more digits showing are worth $1.50 each.
    Kennedy halves: 1964 or 1964-D, $2.50 each; 1965-1969, 90 cents each; 1970-D, $3.
    Franklin halves: Each $2.50; 1955, $4; 1956, $3 (average used grades).
    Liberty Walking halves: 1916-S, $40; 1917-D and 1917-S, $4 each; 1921, $70; 1921-D, $75; 1921-S, $7; 1938-D, $5; others $2.50 each.
    Well-worn Barber dimes, quarters and halves: Buying prices start at eight times face value. There are too many premium dates in each series to list here.
    Proof sets (original packaging required; less for single coins or custom mountings): 1950, $500; 1951, $450; 1952, $225; 1953, $200; 1954, $115; 1955, $95; 1956, $45; 1957, $21; 1958, $40; 1959, $15; 1960 with large-date cent, $8; 1960 small date, $13; 1961-1963, $7 each; 1964, $8; (none made from 1965-1967; hereafter San Francisco Mint): 1968, $4; 1969, $4; 1970, $9; 1971-1972, $3 each; 1973, $7; 1974, $5; 1975, $8; 1976-1979, $5 each; 1980-1983, $3 each; 1984, $5; 1985, $2.75; 1986, $11; 1987, $2.50; 1988-1990, $4.75; 1991, $9; 1992, $4; 1993, $8.50; 1994, $11; 1995, $48; 1996, $12; 1997, $12; 1998, $18; 1999, $54; 2000, $15; 2001, $110; 2002, $27; 2003, $20; 2004, $50; 2005, $40. Proof sets from 1999 to date include five state quarters.
    Other proof sets have been issued in recent years, called "Prestige Sets," and in silver editions. Both cost more than the "regular" proof-set issues. The 50-state quarters also come in silver, again in sets of five per year, and they are more expensive than regular proof sets of the same year.
    More complete lists are available from dealer ads in various numismatic publications.
    Dr. Sol Taylor of Sherman Oaks is president of the Society of Lincoln Cent Collectors and author of The Standard Guide to the Lincoln Cent. Click here for ordering information.

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