novice

I'm not sure if this should go in here or in the general coin discussion forum, but here goes...

I've inherited a good number (I think) of coins recently, some of which I found upstairs in a box in a closet. I know very little about coin collecting, and plan on purchasing a few books to hopefully tell me the values of whatever I have, but couldn't wait long enough. This box contains:
Many, many random Buffalo head nickels, 1940-50's half dollars... coin folders with 1913-1938 buffalo nickels, 1916-1945 mercury head dimes, 1909-now lincoln head cents, and a few silver dollars. I'd imagine these are the coins of lesser value in the collection, as the rest is in a safety deposit box. But is any of that worth anything... at all? (though I'd probably have to be worlds more specific.)

I'll chose a few random coins that look nice to me...
1886 Silver Dollar, also an 1889, 1921, 1922, and a 1924 (I love the faces on them). They all seem to be in great shape, but again, I'm a novice. I can post pictures if that'd make things easier, if they're at all impressive. I would be more specific, but don't want to take them out of the folders.

Again, sorry if I've wasted your time, I just can't wait until the books come in the mail. Thanks!!!

GDJMSP

Howdy novice - Welcome to the Forum !!

First of all, a few words of advice. Be careful how you handle the coins, don't touch them with your fingers, wear soft cotton gloves. And only pick the coins up holding them by the edges.

The value of any coin is dependent on its condition, along with a few other things. And it is impossible to estimate value without seeing the coin because of this. So yes, pictures are necessary. Try to make your pics as clear as possible, not overly large, but large enough to see the detail. Take a look at some of the pics posted elsewhere in the Forum and you'll get the idea

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novice

hah, I just looked around for a bit and realized how unbelievably vague I was... I guess that's why we look before posting.
And that's exactly why I haven't taken them out yet, I knew I wasn't being OCD by not touching them with my fingers. I'll take some pictures of the ones I think look nicest in the morning.
thanks for the quick reply by the way

GDJMSP

One more word of advice - don't try to wipe the coins off or make them look better. That will only damage them. Just handle them carefully and you'll be fine

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knowtracks

Hi Novice, Welcome to the Forum,
If you have complete sets of Buff's, Merc's & Lincoln cents you are a pretty lucky person!! Even in very good or fine condition they are worth ALOT !! I wouldn't mind being in your shoes. No matter what you plan to do with them (sell or save) investigate what you have & don't let anyone talk you out of them entill YOU decided what YOU want. Good Luck

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The Congress of the United States says "it's a penny" and so does the A.N.A.
So it's a "Penny"

NOS

I'm kind of curious here. Do you see any key date Lincolns such as a 1909S, 14D, or a 31S at all?

andy21us

Hi Novice, Yes indeed if they are full sets you can be looking at a lot of money. Like GDMJSP said tread them with kid glove, you may have some thing special on your hands, so take care of them and don't handle them without gloves. If you have a Barnes & Noble in your area you can pick up a copy of the 2005 Blue book and other price guides, but this will only help to give you a general valve if you do not know how to grade coins. Good Luck

Aidan Work

GDJMSP,it is better to wear latex rubber gloves,as the sweat from your fingers will go through the cotton gloves.A
pair of cotton gloves is good for setting a table for a formal function,but,they are just not good enough for handling good coins.

Aidan.

GDJMSP

That's not true Aidan - latex gloves can and will leave marks on the coins. Cotton gloves are and have been the recommended choice for more years than I have been alive.

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Ali Al-Hazen

Don't be so sure that your coins are of lesser value! What if some/any of them are errors from the mint? You could be sitting on something nice! And don't let your fingers put oils on the coins. But you know that now. We can't wait to see what you've got! Hope you can upload some pics! I'm sure everybody congratulates you on having this chance to find a great coin! All of us are always on the lookout... Best of luck to you Novice, I hope you have a superb gem that somebody needs to fill their collection! Don't be too quick to sell, just learn more as you go... and welcome to the board!

NOS

It seems GDJMSP that Aidan has experienced exactly what I have with cotton gloves! There is your second person now to validate what I have been saying all along. I think latex gloves might be fine so long as they arent powdered at all.

GDJMSP

I gathered he was just repeating what you have said - perhaps not. Regardless of that - cotton gloves are still the recommended type to use. If they get dirty - wash them or buy new ones.

I am correct about the latex gloves - they do leave marks. I have known this for years, thanks to a policeman friend of mine. He showed me how you can even lift prints left behind by someone wearing latex gloves. Not recognizeable fingerprints - but smudges.

Now - in the last issue of Coin World - there was a large article about this same issue. They confirm what I have stated above. So by all means, don't just take my word for it. Read it yourself.

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NOS

Okay then I recommend picking up the unc coins with your clean shirt and using different spaces after a short while because of sweat build up.

Richard01

PUt the latex on, then the cotton over the top
Can't go wrong there (besides cooking your hands).
I just like cotton myself, and my hands tend not to sweat that much during the strenuous task of lifting my coins. I change gloves as soon as they start looking soiled.

NOS

See there we go! Absolutely brilliant. I wish I had thought of that. There is the solution now without a doubt!