COIN COLLECTING BASICS PART ONE: CIRCULATED VS. UNCIRCULATED COINS (2024)

FAQs

COIN COLLECTING BASICS PART ONE: CIRCULATED VS. UNCIRCULATED COINS? ›

Uncirculated coins show no wear from being thrown into piles, purses, or pockets—the lettering and images look perfect. They are worth more than circulated coins. How much more? According to Pat, the value depends on the year, mint mark, and grade.

Circulated coins may be cheaper, but they are likely not in mint condition and have lost some value over time. Uncirculated coins are more valuable since they retain their original condition. While they cost more, their condition means they will likely retain or increase in value.

Strictly speaking, a circulated coin will be worth its face value and nothing more. Therefore, they are worth something, even if that value is not particularly high. Furthermore, some circulated coins can sometimes be more valuable depending on the situation, although this is rare.

Generally speaking, proof coins have a higher relative mark-up than uncirculated coins. As a collector's item, proofs can be sold for more than the value of the raw precious metals they contain. However, the downside is they cost a little more than uncirculated coins to purchase.

As a general rule, assume nothing is really “unopened.” That goes for mint and proof sets, too. (You can open and seal them easily---again, not for sharing here.) Some rolls obviously have been tampered with. To inspect contents, the person unwraps one end and then gently pushes out the coins from the opposite end.

That's what happened to several pennies produced in 1982, which pushed their value up from 1 cent to nearly $20,000. The penny in question is the 1982-D Small Date Copper Alloy Lincoln Cent, which sold at auction in 2016 for $18,800, according to Numismatic News.

How to find rare coins in circulation? ›

The only way to get an uncirculated coin is to purchase it directly from your bank. Uncirculated coins are hand-loaded into the press and have a brilliant luster that circulated coins lack.

1965 Washington Quarter Value

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of April 2024, a Washington Quarter from 1965 in circulated condition is worth between $0.30 and $0.85. However, on the open market 1965 Quarters in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $5250.

Amazingly, the 1990 No S Proof Lincoln cents deceived both the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mint employees. The only proof Lincoln cent from 1909 to date missing the mint mark. The 1990 No S Lincoln cents were first discovered on July 18, 1990 by Jim Gullen of New York.

There are numerous factors that contribute to the value of proof coin sets but age and rarity are the two greatest indicators. Since they were originally produced as prototypes, very few proof coins were made and those that were produced for that purpose, generally before 1970, tend to hold a higher value.

These coins tend to be the choice of many coin collectors because of their uniqueness, perfect presentation (most of the time) and authenticity. An uncirculated coin will also appreciate over time, exceeding its face value and making it a coveted piece of any coin collection, unlike a heavily circulated coin.

The Federal Reserve accepts deposits of uncurrent coin from depository institutions. If you are in possession of uncurrent coins and would like to exchange them for current ones, please contact your local commercial bank.

Premium Pricing: Due to their superior condition, BU coins are generally priced higher than coins with wear or imperfections. Collectors and investors expect to pay a premium for coins that preserve their original mint luster and flawless appearance.

Hold the coin by its edges with your thumb and forefinger. Holding the coin in this way will prevent damage and also makes it easier to examine the coin. In many cases, handling an upper-grade, proof or uncirculated coin calls for wearing a pair of lint-free cotton gloves.