ok, my first of many questions. there is a 1934 silver dollar on ebay that has a BIN of 25,000. i have several 1934 silver dollars. how do i tell if mine is worth that much? the ebay SD is in emaculate condition, mine is not as pretty, but still not horrible. (im going to take a pic and post) anyway, im assuming that value is also based of what mint the coin was made at. CC coins are worth more correct? how do i tell what mint it is from? thanks!!
Before assigning any value to your coin, we would definitely need to see a picture. It it likely that the 1934 on ebay is from the San Francisco mint and has an "S" mintmark on the reverse. To be priced so highly, the coin is likely a high end mint state specimen, possible Mint State 66 (MS-66). The value of the 1934 Peace Dollars flucuates a lot depending on the particular mint it came from and the condition of the coin. These can sell any from $20 to thousands depending on these factors. Hope to see some pics of the coin.
I appreciate your reply. and i appreciate everyone who has patience with my lack of coin knowledge. ok, i just figured out how to use the macro on my camera. (im not very literate in photography either ill try to get a pic up soon. form the looks of mine and the one on ebay, everything looks the same. thats why i was wondering how do i tell the mint state. where would the S be on the back?
Imagine a '57 Chevy, right out of the factory, never been driven, clean as a whistle, original paint job, interior, etc. Imagine another one, low mileage, driven by the proverbial "old lady." Imagine a third one, driven moderately, with some dings and scratches on the body, and some tears in the upholstery. Imagine a fourth one, driven heavily, with restored interior, and a hammered-out and repainted body. And just go on like that. Which one would you say should command the higher price? It's the same thing, here, with coins, except, with these, they're looking at these under 10x magnification, and better. And they hate it when you clean these things, because you can never restore the finish back to its original factory luster. If the luster fades, or discolors, that's usually not a problem, so long as it doesn't look phony. That's the kindergarten version, anyway, on "grading." On that mint mark, find it on the tails side. If it's an S or D, it's San Francisco, or Denver; if there's nothing there, it's Philadelphia. And, yeah, it's insane, but that's the game. They see a fingerprint on these, under 10x magnification, or better, and that warrants a lower grade, which could mean thousands of dollars. I don't know if your coins have ever been buffed, cleaned or polished, but don't do that. They've got these cheap 2x2 "coin flips" you can staple them in, to preserve them, generally. Put them in those, and tuck them away, someplace. That's what we all do. And, if you get a real shiny one, put up a nice, clear, photograph, and some of us, here, will help grade it for you, and tell you if it warrants being "slabbed." And, above all, enjoy these things. Don't lose sight of that.
thanks eddiespin! hey, that mint mark.... would it be under the "one" on the tail side? if so, it looks like a D. still trying to get a good pic!
hope you can see the detail. here are three pics of one of my 1934's.. these look cleaner in person. the lighting gave it kind of a copper tint, but they are pretty silverish considering age. im not holding any of you to your word, but a ballpark would be nice. thanks! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/EDDIEVRULZ/000_0003_0001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/EDDIEVRULZ/000_0002_0001.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/EDDIEVRULZ/000_0001.jpg
