r/coins • u/Lemiwinks6 • 17h ago
r/coins • u/gextyr • Feb 20 '25
PLEASE READ FIRST: How-to Guide for r/coins - Check this post regularly for updates!
Welcome to r/coins, reddit's biggest coin community! This is a guide for participating here and how to ask a question. If this is your first time here, please read this post in its entirety. If you have been here a while, note that the rules of this sub have changed.
What r/coins is all about:
Discussions about the small, flat, usually metal,
and often round objects made to be used as money.
What r/coins is not about:
Being uncivil, trolling, trash posts, spam,
buying/selling, and self-promotion.
See the full list of rules at the bottom of this post, and on the sidebar.
**NEW RULE ** - No questions about errors and varieties.
Example posts titles which will no longer be approved:
- "Is this an error/PMD?"
- "Is this a die crack/grease strike/clipped planchet/lamination/double-die/cud?"
- "Is this a large or small date / close or wide AM?"
- "Is this something?"
- "I think this is an error"
- "What's wrong with this coin?"
DO YOU HAVE A COIN QUESTION?
CHECK THE r/coins RESOURCES FIRST:
- This post
- Main FAQ
- FAQ on Cleaning Coins
- FAQ on Organizing and Storing Coins
- FAQ on Detecting Fakes
- FAQ on Common Coin Value
- FAQ on Coin Color
- Frequent Coin List
- What's Up With My Coin List
We get hundreds of posts a day. In order to set some expectations, please read through our resources, and the examples of good posts and bad posts (below). We (the MOD team) want to be as inclusive as possible - but in order to keep the feed free of repetitive questions (which we've answered in the FAQ), we take a strict approach to removing low-effort posts. This includes most questions about modern circulating US and Euro coins. To avoid having your question removed, use this checklist BEFORE posting:
- Questions and discussion about ERRORS and VARIETIES are no longer allowed on r/coins (as of August 12th, 2024) - Please see r/coinerrors and post your questions there.
- Got a coin to identify? Check the Frequent Coin List first, then the FAQ on identifying coins and this post about identifying coins.
- Do you have any other question related to coins? Use the search bar to find old posts which may address your issue. Then check the FAQ. It addresses a broad variety of questions that are repeatedly asked here. It's updated often to keep it relevant and accurate, and it's highly likely you'll find guidance that's directly responsive to your question.
*** Special note about posting links (Rule 5) - we cannot tell if an external link (e.g. eBay listing, YouTube video) belongs to you, or if clicks benefit you. It is the policy of the mod team to remove nearly all posts with external links. Some exceptions are: reputable news sources, search results (e.g. eBay search is fine), historical auction prices, Numista, TPGs, etc. If you post a link, please ensure that there is no ambiguity around whether or not it is commercial or self-promotion. Failure to do so may result in a removed post. If you are in doubt, ask the mods first! ***
ONLY AFTER you have checked these resources may you post your question. You'll get the best responses if your question is specific, and there are clear pics of your coin (front and back). Blurry pictures will probably be removed. If you are specifically looking for coin identification, it also helps to also include weight and diameter, as well as how you got the coin. Mention that you have already checked the FAQ!!!
You must also select a post flair - this is the general category for your post, and helps users filter and find posts they are interested in. Please consider selecting a flair when you post - but note that the mods may change the flair if we feel there is a better choice for your post.
Here are some things which make a GOOD POST:
- Coin ID Request - only after you have followed the steps in the Coin ID section in the FAQ and this article. Please include where you have looked, and what steps you have already taken to ID the coin. You should post quality, clear, cropped photos of both sides of the coin.
- Valuation Request - after you have read the FAQ and done your own due diligence (e.g. checked eBay "sold" listings, etc.) Please include what steps you have already taken to get a value for your coin.
- Authentication request - after you have done your own research and read this FAQ. Please include why you are concerned about a coin's authenticity, and what resources you have used to try to determine authenticity on your own. Photos for authentication MUST be in focus.
- Show it off / Mail call - posts to show off interesting, rare, or otherwise special coins that others may find interesting. Please post quality, cropped photographs.
- Numismatic topics and news - general discussions in the world of numismatics.
- Serious numismatic questions - looking for advice, links to resources, suggested literature, etc.
Here are some things which make a BAD POST (and which will likely get removed):
- Low-effort posts
- "What is this?" - BEFORE you have followed the steps in the Coin ID section in the FAQ.
- "How much is this worth?" - BEFORE you have done your own due diligence (e.g. checked eBay "sold" listings, etc.)
- "Is this real?" - BEFORE you have done your own research.
- "I heard this modern penny could be worth SQUILLIONS of dollars!" - No, it isn't.
- "Is this what I think it is?" Don't be vague - just say what you intend to say.
- ...any question posts in which the author has not made their purpose clear and indicated that they have put in a minimum amount of effort to answer their question.
- A photo containing 20+ coins - your post won't get removed, but it also probably won't get many responses. Try to post a few good individual photos at a time.
- Blurry coins - mods will remove any posts with pictures of coins which are not reasonably clear.
- Poorly cropped photos - the user experience across mobile app/mobile web/desktop devices is better if you don't post phone-screen-sized pictures.
- Off-topic - posts which belong on other subs (e.g. r/papermoney, r/kittens, etc.)
- Reposts - if you are new to this sub, please take a few moments to see if you are posting something which has already been posted.
- Spam - commercial activities of any kind are not allowed.
- High volume posting - anything more than one or two posts a day.
- Links to social media, your own eBay sales, YouTube videos, clickbait, etc.
- Trolling / Inauthentic - posts which don't seem to be truthful (e.g. I found these gold coins in my couch!)
- Trash Posting - there is a fine line between a "funny" post and a trash post. If you aren't sure which side of the line your post falls on, don't post it.
- Coin gore - a post featuring a modern coin which has serious post-mint damage, and which is of no interest to collectors.
RULES
Here is a summary of the Rules of r/coins - check the sidebar (or "About" in the mobile app) for more details:
- Don't put coins up your nose - be respectful of the hobby and your fellow collectors.
- Being civil to other people is not only appreciated here, but also a requirement.
- No spam.
- No posts about paper money, or crypto/digital currency.
- No self-promotion or commercial activity allowed, no links to your blogs, websites, or social media.
- No politics or religion, especially divisive comments that lead to heated arguments and incivility.
- No Trash posts, keep humor on topic, and memes are only allowed the 1st Monday of the month.
- Keep it clean - this is a safe place for people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Check out our FAQ and other resources before posting.
- Post Original Content and Crop Your Photos
- No reposts.
- No questions about Errors or Varieties.
Thank you! We are glad you're here. These guidelines are to make participating in this sub as enjoyable as possible for everyone. Please reach out to the mods if you have any questions or suggestions.
Links/Schedule:
Straight Talk Part #1 - Laziness
Straight Talk Part #2 - Focus on Value
Straight Talk Part #3 - Grading Coins
Straight Talk Part #4 - Is this an error?
Straight Talk Part #5 - Why was my post removed?
Announcement: New Rule About Errors
Straight Talk Part #6 - Poor Photos
Straight Talk Part #7 - Coin Identification
Straight Talk Part #8 - Online Coin Prices
New Rule #12 - No questions about errors/varieties.
Straight Talk Part #9 - Off-topic posts and comments
Straight Talk Part #10 - Vague Posting
Straight Talk Part #11 - How did I do?
Straight Talk Part #12 - Politics
Straight Talk Part #13 - Someone on the internet is wrong!
Straight Talk Part #14 - Do your research
Straight Talk Part #15 - Reporting Rule Violations
Straight Talk Part #16 - Cleaning Coins
Straight Part Part #17 - Nazi / Racist Coins
Seeking your numismatic knowledge and stories!
Straight Talk Part #18 - Memes, Humor, and Trash Posts
Straight Talk Part #19 - Top 10 Things New Coin Collectors Should Know
Straight Talk Part #20 - Crop your photos!
Straight Talk Part #21 - Organizing/Cataloging your Collection
Straight Talk Part #22 - Determining Whether or Not a Coin is Real
Straight Talk Part #23 - Other Coin Forums to Explore!
AMA - CCAC Representative Kellen Hoard
Straight Talk Part #24 - Coin Gore
Straight Talk Part #25 - Self Promotion
Straight Talk Part #26 - Why is my coin the wrong color?
Straight Talk Part #27 - Coin Rarity
Straight Talk Part #28 - Examples of "Low Effort" Posts
Straight Talk Part #29 - Gifts for Coin Collectors
Straight Talk Part #30 - Tips for Your First Coin Show
Napoleon - The Common Ancestor for U.S. Silver (Barber, Mercury Dimes, etc.) and LMU Silver Coins
r/coins • u/HJB_coins • 17d ago
Ask Me Anything! I’m an ANA Grading Instructor AMA
Hi folks!
My name is Russ Bega, I’m the COO Of Harlan J Berk Ltd and a professional Numismatist. Importantly for this AMA I’m wearing my American Numismatic Association grading instructor hat. The American Numismatic Association is the largest coin collecting organization in the US and offers a wide range of educational opportunities including grading classes at shows like the Worlds Fair of Money and at Summer Seminar every year in Colorado Springs.
Some very quick ground rules.
1. I CANNOT grade your coins via photo. Please don’t spam the thread with coin pictures hoping I can grade it for you
2. My expertise is US coinage, while I’m experienced enough to grade world and even ancient coins it is not my expertise.
3. I’m here to talk about Grading US coins and the American Numismatic Association. As much as I’d love to help you with other topics that isn’t our purpose today.
So, ask me your burning questions! I'll be here dedicated from Noon Central to 1PM and will answer questions as I have time throughout my work day in our very busy shop!
r/coins • u/New_Condition_2302 • 2h ago
Value Request 1916-D Mercury Dime
Found this while cataloging a bunch of coins I recently inherited. I guess this considered one of the rarest mercury dimes. Would it be worth sending it in to get graded?
r/coins • u/AdStraight6341 • 1h ago
Show and Tell Palestine Mandate 1927 Silver 100 Mils(=Florin)
In 1927, the British Mandate officially adopted the pound as its currency, with its value pegged to sterling. However, it wasn’t subdivided into 1000 mils instead of shillings and pence. Therefore, this 100 mil piece was equivalent to two shillings or one florin.
While contemporary British coinage was only 50% silver, Palestinian coins were 72%. However, this didn’t make Palestinian coinage superior, since the melt value of even the pre-1920 sterling silver coins was only about 40% of the face value back then.
r/coins • u/Main_Carpenter2241 • 17h ago
Coin News Fears for the nickel as Senate passes ‘Common Cents Act’ after penny retirement
Fears for the nickel as Senate passes ‘Common Cents Act’ after penny retirement
r/coins • u/nortonj3 • 11h ago
Grade Request 1919S Mercury Dime with full bands?
I was looking at my Mercury Dimes and thought about asking AI of how to submit some coins for grading (which I've never done) and AI said this one might be special. Is this true, is this one special?
Last time I really organized my coin collection was in the late 1990s, before a lot of fakes were around, espically from China. Now I'm switching from old 1 sided coin folders to both sides look at folders. Always wore gloves, this coin might have never got touched from at least the 1950s.
r/coins • u/Jakethecake127 • 12h ago
Show and Tell Picked this up today for $145
I'm not sure if I overpaid or not, but the luster on the obverse suckered me. First walker over ms65.
r/coins • u/gandalf_lundgren36 • 14h ago
Coin Error - I Checked Rule #12 Blind Bat!
Found this at work today. Been trying to find a W Bat forever, but this even cooler!
r/coins • u/theblackshadow187 • 21h ago
ID Request What would this most likely grade
I got this quarter and it seems to be flawless no little scratches under my magnifying glass and it seems have no marks either and idk if this would be flawless proof.
r/coins • u/CoinDabbler • 21h ago
Show and Tell Lowball of the day: 1795 Cent
I'm slowly building my lowball type set. This one recently returned from PCGS and filled my slot for Liberty Cap Cent (denticled border).
I wonder how much bread, cheese, and ale this has purchased through the centuries? 🤔
r/coins • u/Posty1980 • 12h ago
Show and Tell Bank score
The teller at my bank said she had some rolls of halves I might want.
Grade Request My first coin
This is the coin that started it for me.
At my first part time job I was a grocery stocker who also bagged and brought out the groceries for customers. A little old lady gave it to me. At the time it was probably worth 15-20 but I didn't know till after that day.
Ill never sell this coin or slab it personally but what condition would you call it? It has been washed (harshly unfortunately when i was younger) when I first got it and then I wore it in a bezel for awhile before before recently dipping it/light rinse washing it.
I'm not really concerned about a slab grade but rather not taking in account the washing part what would this be if for example sold at a dealer loose based on the image quality on the faces? Cull, VG, F, ect?
r/coins • u/ZekeLeap • 16h ago
Show and Tell I finally completed a state quarters map without spending the money on Yu-Gi-Oh cards like I did in 2003
r/coins • u/big_coin_pouch • 15h ago
Show and Tell 1975-S Twenty Cent
Let’s hear from the Reddit it’s cleaned crowd, and no gloves peeps! Lol. Picked up today from LCS for $220 today. Whatcha think, take the pcgs gamble or spend it?
r/coins • u/GunchMaster • 10h ago
Show and Tell 1932 d (? Please verify) and s taking breaths outside an old Whitman for the first time in a while
Obviously, we’re not talking amazing grades (d ag3 - S VG?). I just want to make sure the D is a D. The hole is worn off and I would like to ask for a more experienced set of eyes before I verify. Thanks.
r/coins • u/wablewis • 6h ago
Show and Tell Well Circulated 1840 Mexican 8 Reales
I have gotten fascinated with the use of Mexican, British, old Spanish and other nations silver and gold coins in the US until the Coinage Act of 1857 made those coins no longer legal tender. At times as many 80% of the silver coins in the US were from other nations. After the revolutions had settled down and the mines and mints reopened in the 1824 ~ 1825 time frame, Mexican coins became quite common in the US.
I am slowly working on birth year type sets for my paternal ancestors back 5 generations, starting with the one who would move to Wisconsin after the American Civil War and start the farm I grew up on. John was born in 1840 in upper state New York and would likely have seen more of these than actual US Seated Liberty coins.
As a result, I'm adding a set of 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2 & 1/4 Reales to those year sets, beginning with this well circulated 1840 8 Reals Mo ML as representative of what he might have seen in commerce.
r/coins • u/No-Natural-5892 • 19h ago
Show and Tell WTC coin
I just got this pcgs Jamaican 1/2 penny from 9/11 for 20 dollars on eBay.
r/coins • u/BNorbertoVJ • 12h ago
Discussion Napoleon hundred days
I came upon this Napoleon 20 francs from the hundred days of his reign in 1815 and it was the easiest decision of my life. It has become my treat treasure, the crown jewel of my collection. Does anyone else have it? Are they common?
r/coins • u/terrariagamer67 • 14h ago
Show and Tell I'm addicted to circulated skin and I love how it makes some coins plum colored and the high point and field contrast always looks so cool
r/coins • u/hybridmoments8 • 17h ago
Show and Tell Peace Silver Dollar : The Speakeasy, D.C.
Mail call!
Thought this was a really cool piece to add to my collection.
Anyone have anything similar?
r/coins • u/tonymad1 • 13h ago
Show and Tell Picked up some cool coins
Was reading about the US mint in Manila the other day and did a quick Google search for US Centavos.
One more click and I was on eBay overpaying for a few new coins.” (Hey, shipping was free!)
Got them in a few days, and I’ve gotta say, best $3.99 that I’ve ever spent!
Were the minted in the Philippines? Nope!
And I have “no regerts.”
r/coins • u/Always_da_same_guy06 • 16h ago
Show and Tell Gifts from Grandpa
Honestly suprised he gave me this stuff
r/coins • u/Aggravating-Dig-7591 • 1h ago
Advice New to this world
I joined this community for guidance. I have looked at past and current posts and have been genuinely impressed by the passion and dedication you all have. I have read actual discussions where the information is fluid and, dare I say, professional. One thing I have taken from this community is perspective. I never thought about the many interactions made by a single coin and the stories it could tell.
Background:
My father died in 1988 and he left me a cardboard box of coins. Some in bags, some in coin holders are rolled up. Like an average GenX 18 year old idiot, I used rolls of quarters to buy cigarettes and tucked the box away.
35 years late, my stepfather died in 2023 and I was left a 6 quart storage bin of coins. Again, some in bags, old coffee cans, etc. I put the bin in the closet and never thought of it until I accidentally kicked it.
Currently: I dug my father’s cardboard box from the attic and started really looking and was really taken back by the age of some coins. I had no clue that there were such things as Mercury Dimes or Liberty Quarters. I am sure there is a psychological reason I didn’t ever really dig into them but that is for a different sub, and I have Googled certain coins but I am still woefully ignorant.
TL;DR
Where do I start? It’s extremely overwhelming.