Gold, silver, and platinum coins can be extremely valuable, especially rare dates and mint marks. Read on for some of the most valuable coins to keep an eye out for, and learn where to buy coins in San Diego.
Key Rarities
Some of the priciest coins are those with very low mintages and limited availability. These include:
- 1933 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle ($20 gold coin) – Only one is legal to own. It sold at auction for nearly $7.6 million in 2002! It features Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ iconic design, showing Lady Liberty striding forward with rays of sunlight behind her.
- 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar – Believed to be among the first silver dollars minted in the U.S. An estimated 125-130 exist today. It features Lady Liberty surrounded by stars on one side and an eagle on the other. It recently sold for over $10 million at auction.
- 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar – A famous rarity as no silver dollars were actually minted for circulation in 1804. Only 15 specimens of this backdated coin are confirmed authentic, each worth $2-4 million.
Certified Premium Coins
Professional grading services like PCGS, NGC and ANACS evaluate and certify coins based on strict standards like surface quality, strike sharpness, and overall eye appeal. High grades from MS65 up to the peak grade of MS70 indicate a flawless, virtually perfect coin and carry enormous premiums over raw coins in similar conditions.
For example, a common date 1881 $3 Gold piece in collectible MS65 condition may sell for $3,000-5,000 at auction. But in superb MS68 condition, the same coin brings over $30,000. Grades of MS69 and MS70 can increase values exponentially due to remarkably few 19th and early 20th-century coins meeting such lofty certification standards.
Numismatic Treasures
While bullion gold and silver coins trade based mainly on precious metal content, some coins derive tremendous value from collector demand and the extraordinary stories behind them. Key dates, low-mintage issues, and special commemoratives often sell for astounding mark-ups over their simple melt values.
For example, the 2006-W Proof Gold Reverse Proof $50 American Buffalo has a face gold value under $1,800 yet trades for over $20,000 due to its limited mintage of just 5,000 struck specially for collectors. The fabled 1838-O Capped Bust half dollar from the New Orleans Mint had a tiny original mintage of 20,000 yet sells for $25,000 or more in top certified grades – over 1,200 times face value! Such treasures require professional numismatic expertise to evaluate and assess fair prices.
Where to Find Coins In San Diego
Potential sources for valuable coins include:
- Coin auctions hosted by major auction houses
- Reputable coin dealers and shops
- Inherited coin collections from a family member
- Privately buying from other collectors
- Checking your pocket change – rare coins do turn up in circulation!
Avoiding Fakes
With so much value at stake, you must take precautions to avoid counterfeits:
- Carefully inspect details known to give away fakes. Use a magnifying lens as needed.
- Verify weight and dimensions against published specifications
- Perform non-destructive sound, magnet, and ping tests if trained to do so
- Submit to 3rd party grading company like NGC or PCGS for certification
Most importantly, only buy from and sell to respected, experienced dealers who are able to determine authenticity and provide proper documentation. Here at CV Coins and Collectables, we guarantee the quality of every coin passing through our hands with 35+ years in business. Visit us locally or browse our products online to connect with unmatched expertise in the trade. With awareness and trusted guidance, you may uncover remarkable treasures adding immense value to your holdings – or help fund life’s important goals.