The Silver Dollar Scoop — A Coin Collecting Blog

How Much Are Silver Dollars Worth? - Eisenhower Dollar Value January 07 2016

If you're looking for an Eisenhower dollar price guide and don't want to read the full article, click the link or scroll down. In previous articles, we've explained how to value earlier series of U.S silver dollars, like Morgan and Peace Dollars (minted 1878-1935) as well as Trade Dollars (1873-1885).  In today's article, we're going to discuss a more modern dollar coin — the Eisenhower Dollar, minted from 1971-1978.   History of the Eisenhower Dollar Originally...

How to Safely Buy Gold Coins on eBay July 04 2015

With the price of gold at a five-year low, gold coins have become a very attractive investment opportunity for many collectors. Any coin shop or bullion shop will have a selection of gold, but most of their coins will be priced at a substantial premium over the precious metal melt value. For the absolute lowest prices on gold and silver coins, a collector's best bet is eBay.   To the...

How much is a 1973 Silver Dollar worth? May 20 2015

Curious about the value of a 1973 "Ike" dollar? Read below to find out how much it's worth.   The Eisenhower dollar was the first dollar coin produced by the U.S. Mint since the end of the Peace silver dollar series in 1935.  First struck in 1971, Ike dollars were created to commemorate President Dwight Eisenhower and the national space program.  The obverse of the coin features a left-facing bust...

Investing in Gold Coins Part 1 - Bullion Coins March 29 2015

Gold coins have been a store of value for over 2000 years, from the first natural electrum coins struck in ancient Lydia to modern American gold eagles.  Gold serves as a valuable hedge against uncertain financial markets, and coins are the most convenient way to hold physical gold.  Coins have more liquidity than gold bullion bars, and there's no excitement to investing in gold via a precious metals ETF - holding gold in...

The 5 Most Essential Books for Coin Collectors January 25 2015

"Buy the book before you buy the coin."  That's one of the guiding principles of coin collecting, a lesson that many collectors unfortunately have to learn the hard way.  In the field of numismatics, knowledge is power, and that power can make the difference between buying a valuable coin or a worthless counterfeit.  Coin collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, with thousands of numismatic books written over the...

A Guide to Toned Gold Coins January 04 2015

It's not just copper and silver coins that tone - gold coins tone too!  Surprisingly, many coin collectors remain unaware that gold even tones at all.  While gold has little chemical reactivity compared to some of its metallic brother elements, gold is not completely inert.   A quick chemistry note here: what coin collectors call "toning", a discoloration of a coin's surface, actually encompasses a wide range of chemical reactions between the...

Choosing the Best Coin Album November 16 2014

Coin albums are essential for coin collectors interested in collecting an entire set of coins, or those who just want an easy, safe, and impressive way to store and display their collection.  Finding the best coin album can be a challenge, especially with so many different options on the market—that's why we've put together this helpful guide to compare and review some of the best.      The Definitive Guide to Coin Albums...

Where to Find Old Coins November 02 2014

For any new coin collector interested in finding old coins, the variety of options can be overwhelming.  Ebay, coin shops, and coin roll hunting are just a few of the great collectible coin sources out there. But how do you know where's the best place to find old coins?  In this article, I'm going to explain the pros and cons to hunting for coins in each source.     Buying...

The 5 Principles of Coin Collecting October 25 2014

All too often, eager new collectors dive into the market, buying and selling coins before they have a grasp of the fundamentals of the hobby.  In this short article, we'll go over the 5 basic principles of coin collecting that every collector needs to know.  These 5 tenets should serve as a guiding rubric for collecting decisions - how to buy, how to sell, and how to ensure you don't get ripped off....

Value of a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar October 13 2014

In this article, I'm going to give a brief overview of the Kennedy half dollar series, focusing on the first-year 1964 half dollar.  To skip the chatter and fast-forward to the half dollar price guide, scroll down or click the link. You might also be interested in our price guide to the entire Kennedy series.   Despite its infrequent appearances in general circulation, the Kennedy half dollar remains one of the...

Where to Buy Old Gold Coins October 08 2014

With the economy on the rise and gold dropping to a five-year low, more and more people are looking to old gold coins as an investment opportunity and a collectible pursuit.  But for those with little coin collecting knowledge, how do you avoid getting ripped off?  In this short article, I'm going to go over some of the best platforms for buying gold coins, as well as some tips to...

How much is a 1972 Silver Dollar worth? September 16 2014

Wondering how much your old "Ike" dollar is worth?  Read below to learn the value of a 1972 silver dollar.   The Eisenhower dollar series was created to commemorate the late president Dwight Eisenhower, with the first coins being produced in 1971.  All of the dollar coins produced for public circulation were made on a copper-nickel planchet, the same type used in U.S. quarters, dimes and half dollars.  A few special types...

eBay Bidding Strategies - Tips for How to Win Auctions September 14 2014

As an active eBay buyer for nearly a decade, I've developed a fair number of bidding strategies to maximize my chances of winning the item I want at a good price.  And as an eBay powerseller, I've also gained a perspective on how sellers think and act.  In this article, I'm going to share with you a few of my most effective tips and tricks for buyers looking to score big....

Half Dollar Value - How much are Kennedy Half Dollars Worth? July 08 2014

Just want to get to the half dollar price guide?  Click that link or scroll down.     In this article, I will discuss the values of Kennedy half dollars, minted from 1964 to the present.  The Kennedy half dollar, as you might guess, was created to honor President John F. Kennedy. After his assassination in 1963, Congress quickly and unanimously passed a bill to replace the half dollar's current Benjamin...

Where to find Ancient Roman Coins April 13 2014

The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful civilizations in human history.  At its peak, the Empire encompassed modern-day Britain, France, Spain, half of Germany, northern Africa, Asia Minor, and the entire Mediterranean region.  The Western Roman Empire lasted nearly 600 years, and the Eastern Roman Empire lingered on for another 1000 years as the "Byzantine" Empire.   Because of their immense historical significance, Roman Empire coins are in...

How to Safely, Securely, and Affordably Ship Coins March 03 2014

As an affirmed numismatic addict, I purchase a large number of coins from eBay every month.  Whenever I receive a new package or envelope in the mail, I cross my fingers hoping that the seller managed to ship the coins safely and securely.  Unfortunately, A+ shipping seems to be the exception rather than the rule.  I’ve received many a coin taped directly to a piece of paper or just haphazardly...

How to Properly Handle Coins February 15 2014

For chunks of metal, coins are surprisingly delicate objects.  A single misplaced fingertip can lead to damaged luster or a permanent fingerprint, and woe betide you if your fingers slip while removing a coin from a stapled cardboard 2X2.  But preventing such catastrophes requires little more than a steady hand and common sense.  In this article, I’m going to run through a couple of the basic do’s and don’ts for...

Lucius Cornelius Sulla - A (Numismatic) Profile February 10 2014

Lucius Cornelius Sulla was one of the most important figures of the late Roman Republic.  An extremely-skilled general and politician, Sulla aligned himself with the Optimates, Roman aristocrats who sought to limit the power of the Roman people and extend the power of the elite Senate.  The Optimates were opposed by the Populares headed by the ambitious and powerful Gaius Marius, who sought to gain the favor of the Roman people at the expense of...

How To Tell The Difference Between Artificially & Naturally Toned Coins January 03 2014

    Take a close look at the four coins above.   Which of the four would you guess are artificially toned and which are naturally toned?       The answer?  All four were cleanly graded as having natural toning by PCGS.  Despite the kaleidoscopic colors, none of these Morgan dollars are considered artificially toned.  But how can a collector understand the difference between vibrantly toned stunners like the coins...

The Optimal Times for Buying and Selling Coins on eBay October 17 2013

As with any website, eBay has periods of heavy and light traffic.  In the early evening, when most Americans are at home after work, you might expect that lots of people are using eBay.  And when more people are using eBay, more people are bidding on each item.  But go onto eBay in the middle of the night, and odds are that you’ll be competing with fewer bidders.  But what...

Value of 1921 Silver Dollar October 08 2013

In 1921, two different designs of U.S. silver dollars were produced.  1921 was the last year of the iconic Morgan Dollar series, which had started in 1878. 1921 Morgan Dollars were produced at the following mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), San Francisco (S mintmark), and Denver (D mintmark).  1921 also saw the beginning of the Peace Dollar series, the final series of silver dollar coins produced by the U.S. Mint, which were minted until 1935.  1921 Peace Dollars were...

Valuable Coins in Circulation October 03 2013

Getting The Most Out Of Your Pocket Change While the likelihood of finding a 1909-S VDB penny decreases with each year, many rare and valuable coins can still be found in ordinary pocket change.  In this article, I'm going to point out a few of the more valuable coins to keep an eye out for.     Old Silver Coins Pre-1965 US dimes, quarters, and half dollars were all struck...

Collecting Ancient Roman Coins, Part 1: The Roman Republic September 19 2013

Ancient Roman coins hold a powerful attraction for many collectors—Roman coins make up the second largest market within numismatics, behind only U.S. coins.  But to new collectors, the field of ancient coins can seem impossibly confusing, full of strange names and Latin words.  In this article, I’m going to show you that collecting Roman coins is actually very simple, by revealing some of the basics that all new collectors should...

The Lost Art - A Retrospective Look At U.S. Coinage September 09 2013

Let's face it, modern U.S. coins are boring.  Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Washington, Kennedy—while it's important to recognize and honor our greatest presidents, I don't think anybody would argue that any of the coins within our current lineup are particularly beautiful or noteworthy.  What's worse, the U.S. Mint has turned into a profit-grabbing institution with no sense of creativity.  First came the 50 States quarters: a fairly interesting series with a...
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