A partial collection of people, places and events that have made
Chesapeake City the unique and desirable location that it has become today.

Site Keeper: Lee Collins
Comments/Questions? Please forward emails to: leeofcc@msn.com
Mailing Address: PO Box 95, Chesapeake City, MD 21915-0095


1/28/07

Last Updated:  Thursday, April 24, 2008 08:02:42 PM

Circulated Silver United States Coin Values

    *WWII War Nickels - Nickels dated 1943, 1944, 1945 and some 1942 nickels contain silver. They can be identified by the mintmark above the dome on the reverse or "tail" side. Silver was used during this period to replace the nickel that was needed for the war effort. *(Recently worth over $1.00 each (21 x face value) for silver content) See Chart Below.

    *Dimes, Quarters, Half-Dollars and Silver Dollars dated before 1965 are worth considerably more than their face value because of silver content. *(Recently worth approximately 13 times their face value for silver content) See Chart Below.

    *Kennedy Half-Dollars dated 1965 thru 1970 are also worth more than face value. This was the only circulating coin minted after 1964 containing silver. *(Recently worth approximately 5 times face value for silver content) Also known as "clad" or "40%" halves. See Chart Below.

    *SEE CHART BELOW

Collector coins containing silver are still minted each year but they are rarely ever found in circulation or pocket change. Most, but not all of these coins have the "S" (San Francisco) mintmark.

    Silver Eagles have been minted annually since 1986. They are one ounce bullion coins with a face value of one dollar but collected primarily for their bullion or silver value.   

Presidential $1 Circulating Coin (New in 2007)

First Lady/Spouse Gold Coin (New in 2007)

1999-2008 State Quarter Program
Now in the ninth year of a *ten(?) year program.
Each state is produced for a period of ten weeks ONLY. Five states per year.
Circulating quarters are produced by the Philadelphia "P" and Denver "D" Mints.
The "P" or "D" Mint Marks are located on the obverse or head side of each coin.
A full set of "P" & "D" State Quarters will consist of 100 coins when completed.
Proof coins are produced in San Francisco "S" and are rarely found in circulation.

    I am not a coin dealer but I  have been collecting coins for many years and offer the following Do's, Don'ts and general advice.

    First and foremost, beware of coins sold on TV or advertised in daily newspapers. Many of these items are not legitimate US coins. Some of the legitimate coins are seriously overpriced and not nearly as rare as advertised. The best way  to buy legitimate current coins is directly from the US Mint. You can order by mail or online.  www.usmint.gov

    The best place I have found to determine the value of coin related items is in the "Completed Items" section of eBay. The magazine I refer to most often is Coin Prices. It is a bi-monthly publication available at most major news stands and it will help you determine the value of your coins.

Factors considered when determining the value of a coin:

Denomination, Year, Mint Mark, Quantity Minted, Precious Metal Content,
and Condition or Grade.

Coin Grading - When "GOOD" is Bad

U.S. regular-issue coins are graded on a scale of 1 to 70. A grading of 1 would be a coin with little or no identifiable features remaining. A grading of 70 would be a rare perfect specimen.
Grading is divided into 14 categories as shown below.

ABOUT GOOD (AG-3)
Very heavily worn with portions of lettering, date, and legend worn smooth. The date may be barely readable.
GOOD (G-4)
Heavily worn, with design visible but faint in areas. Many details are flat.
VERY GOOD (VG-8)
Well worn with main features clear and bold, although rather flat.
FINE (F-12)
Moderate to considerable even wear. Entire design is bold with overall pleasing appearance.
VERY FINE (VF-20)
Moderate wear on high points of design. All major details are clear.
CHOICE VERY FINE (VF-30)
Light, even wear on the surface and highest parts of the design. All lettering and major features are sharp.
EXTREMELY FINE (EF-40)
Light wear on design throughout, but all features sharp and well defined.  Traces of luster may show.
CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE (EF-45)
Light overall wear on highest points. All design details are very sharp. Some of the mint luster is evident.
ABOUT UNCIRCULATED (AU-50)
Traces of light wear on many of the high points. At least half of the mint luster is still present.
CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED (AU-55)
Evidence of friction on high points of design. Most of the mint luster remains.

MINT STATE
The term Mint State (MS) and Uncirculated (Unc.) are used interchangeably to describe coins showing no trace of wear. Such coins may vary to some degree because of blemishes, toning, or slight imperfections, as described in the following subdivisions:
UNCIRCULATED (MS-60)
Has no trace of wear but may show a number of contact marks, and surface may be spotted or lack some luster.
CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (MS-63)
Has some distracting contact marks or blemishes in prime focal areas. Luster may be impaired.
GEM UNCIRCULATED (MS-65)
An above average uncirculated coin that may be brilliant or lightly toned and that has very few contact marks on the surface or rim.
PERFECT UNCIRCULATED (MS-70)
Perfect new condition, showing no trace of wear. The finest quality possible, with no evidence of scratches, handling, or contact with other coins. Very few regular-issue coins are ever found in this condition.

A single coin can have a different grade on each side.

Damaged coins, such as those that are bent, corroded, scratched, holed, nicked, stained, or mutilated, are worth less than those without defects. Slightly worn coins ("sliders") that have been cleaned and conditioned ("whizzed") to simulate uncirculated luster are worth considerably less.

Information Source: The Official 2007 RED BOOK (60th Edition)

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