A local coin dealer, online, or at a pawn shop. U.S. classic commemorative coins (1892 to 1954), U.S. modern commemorative coins (1982 to present). We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. There are thousands of coin-related Web sites out there for just about every type of old coin imaginable! Private mints around the world have also minted tokens and fantasy coins. They might be fakes, though, so get someone with experience to examine them. This small test can indicate whether you are holding the real deal or a decent copy. What these claims have in common is that they usually disclaim responsibility for the authenticity or grade of the coin. If still in doubt, you can also test the coin with a magnet. If they're present, the coin is not a genuine 1914 Lincoln penny. If you clean a coin, it ruins the value. You’ll need to know exactly what coin you're looking at to determine its... 2. In this case, you might have a token, round, or pattern, all of which resemble coins. It always depends on date, mintmark, and condition, but … First off, grab a simple magnet and hold it near your precious metal coin. These can sometimes be helpful in identifying an old coin once you develop enough of an interest in coin collecting to pay attention to coin designers. They also usually bear the word "Liberty" and the mottoes "E Pluribus Unum" ("out of many, one") and "In God We Trust" (first used in 1863, on all coins since 1938). But with a few simple tools, one can easily tell the difference. Once I have identified the age of my coin, where can I go to find out how much it's worth? You may also like. I know, it’s a bummer to find out that some 70- or 80-year old pennies are worth less than a modern day first-class postage stamp. You could use the internet or a phone directory to find a local coin shop, and they should be able to value the coin for you. Some fake coins are amateurish, often sold to unsuspecting tourists, and can be recognized instantly by any knowledgeable collector. The coins with 4 characters are all common coins but some may be fake, the images are too indistinct to tell. Do you think it has any value? "The first thing you should look for when you found an item you suspect to be real silver, is markings like a stamp or hallmark," explains Nicolas Martin, flea market expert and … What country is the old coin from? You should look in the red book from Whitman Publishing. United States coins are grouped into the following major categories: If your old coins do not say they are from the United States, they will usually name some other country. Nitric Acid Test. In most cases, you should be able to make out what the country is, although it will usually be in the language of the country that issued the old coin. cent, which is worth between $750 and $2,500, based on condition.. Why is that … % of people told us that this article helped them. Sometimes you won't find what you need until several pages into the listings. The ‘ping’ test, as this is commonly known, allows us to tell if a coin is made from real or fake gold by listening to the sound it makes when struck. The coin in the reproduction with panelled sides is dated 1892. Get some of the Ben Franklin 1/2 dollars and they sound and feel different than those Kennedy ones you have there. If the coin has no mint mark, it was likely minted in Philadelphia, which did not use a mint mark until World War II, and then dropped it again until 1968. I have a British coin with Edward the VIII on it and the inscription "In Commemoration". How Do I Buy Coins Directly from the U.S. Mint? 1885 may sound old but they were stored in the treasury and issued up until the mid 1960's. The coin shows a man's profile in the era of Ben Franklin or earlier. How much is a silver dollar from 1889 that is in decent and readable condition worth? A2A. Coins Red Book. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Identify-Old-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-Old-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Identify-Old-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2723468-v4-728px-Identify-Old-Coins-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"