Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion June 9, 2026
Any pricing on this page is calculated with Silver Spot at approximately $60 per troy ounce
Not sure if your old coins are worth anything? This beginner's guide walks you through exactly what makes a coin valuable — and what to do next.
You found a jar of old coins in grandma's attic. Or maybe you inherited a collection and have no idea what you're looking at. The question everyone asks first is simple: are these worth anything?
The answer is: some almost certainly are. Here is exactly how to tell.
The Four Factors That Determine Coin Value
Every coin's value comes down to four things: date, mint mark, condition, and rarity. Understanding these four factors will help you quickly identify which coins deserve a closer look.
1. Date
The year a coin was made matters enormously. Some years had very low mintages — meaning very few coins were made — which makes surviving examples rare and valuable today.
For example:
- A 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent can be worth $700–$1,500 or more
- A common 1965 Roosevelt dime is worth about 10 cents
- A 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar is worth $30–$50 in average condition
- A 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar in average condition can be worth $5,000–$20,000+
2. Mint Mark
The mint mark tells you where the coin was made. The U.S. has had several mints over the years:
- No mint mark — Philadelphia (most common)
- D — Denver
- S — San Francisco (often lower mintage = more valuable)
- O — New Orleans (older coins)
- CC — Carson City (highly collectible)
- W — West Point (modern coins)
3. Condition (Grade)
Coin grading runs from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70). The better the condition, the more a coin is worth — sometimes dramatically more.
A Morgan Silver Dollar in Good condition (G-4) might be worth $30. The same coin in Mint State (MS-65) could be worth $500–$5,000 depending on the date and mint mark.
Key condition terms to know:
- Circulated — the coin was used as money and shows wear
- Uncirculated — never used as money, original mint luster intact
- Proof — specially made for collectors with mirror-like fields and frosted devices
4. Rarity
Some coins are rare because few were made. Others are rare because most were melted down, lost, or destroyed. Rarity combined with demand drives the highest prices.
The rarest U.S. coins — like the 1804 Silver Dollar or the 1913 Liberty Head Nickel — are worth millions. But you do not need a million-dollar coin to have something valuable. Thousands of coins in common collections are worth $50, $100, $500, or more.
Coins That Are Almost Always Worth More Than Face Value
Even without knowing anything about numismatics, these coins are worth setting aside:
- Any coin dated before 1965 — dimes, quarters, and half dollars made before 1965 are 90% silver
- Morgan Silver Dollars (1878–1921) — always worth at least $25–$30 for the silver alone, often much more
- Peace Silver Dollars (1921–1935) — same as Morgan dollars
- Any gold coin — $1, $2.50, $5, $10, or $20 gold pieces are worth hundreds to thousands
- Indian Head Pennies (1859–1909) — worth 25¢–$500+ depending on date and condition
- Buffalo Nickels (1913–1938) — worth 15¢–$100+ depending on date
- Any coin in original mint packaging — proof sets, mint sets, and original rolls are worth more intact
Coins That Are Usually Worth Face Value Only
- Modern clad coins (post-1964 dimes, quarters, halves) in circulated condition
- Lincoln Memorial cents (1959–2008) in average condition
- Modern Jefferson nickels in average condition
- State quarters in circulated condition
What NOT to Do
Do not clean your coins. This is the single most common mistake people make. Cleaning a coin — even gently with soap and water — permanently damages the surface and can reduce its value by 50–90%. Leave coins exactly as you found them.
Do not separate coins from original holders, rolls, or packaging. Original bank rolls, proof set packaging, and mint set packaging add value. Breaking them apart destroys that premium.
Do not throw anything away until you have had it evaluated. What looks like a common coin might have a rare date or mint mark that makes it valuable.
How to Get Your Coins Evaluated
If you're planning on selling, we strongly recommend that you get at least one and perhaps two other opinions as to the value prior to coming to us. We want to pay you more and if you want more money, this is the best way to do it. We pay the most, Always!
The best way to find out what your coins are worth is to bring them to an expert. At Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion in Pendleton, SC, we evaluate coins for free — no appointment needed, no obligation to sell.
We use professional grading references, PCGS and NGC price guides, and decades of experience to give you an honest, accurate assessment of what you have. We will tell you exactly what each coin is, what it is worth, and what we would pay for it.
We are vetted members of CCE, CDHCD, JHJ, PCGS, NGC, PMG, CAC, CACG, NSDR, and the PCDA — the most respected organizations in the numismatic world. Our evaluations are honest and accurate.
Come See Us
Located in Pendleton, South Carolina — just 30–35 minutes from Greenville, 20 minutes from Anderson, and convenient to all of Upstate SC, Western NC, Northeast GA, and East Tennessee.
Walk in any time Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm. No appointment needed for most collections. Call ahead for large estates: 864-502-0100.
Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion Pendleton, South Carolina
We Pay More, Always.