Home >> Collecting >> Coin Collecting

How to Tell What Kind of Old Coin You Have

The first thing that you need to know in order to find out the value of an old coin is the specific kind of coin that you have. Sometimes this is as easy as looking at the faces of the coin and reading what is written there, but sometimes you have to do some research. Coin dealers are an excellent resource when trying to figure out the type of coin you have.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the coin. Take note of the pictures on the front and the back of the coin, as well as any words or numbers present.
- 2
  Determine the coin's country of origin. Many coins have the name of the country of origin written on either the front of the back. If this info is not on the coin, you will need to search for this information either online or at a coin shop.
- 3
  Figure out the denomination of the coin. This info is usually written on the coin itself. If you know the country of origin, you can find this information by comparing the coin to pictures in a coin price guide.
- 4
  Find the date on the coin. This is almost always written on the coin, usually in Arabic numerals, but sometimes in Roman numerals. If the coin has no date, chances are it has been worn off. Coins with the date worn off are not worth much.
- 5
  Look for a mint mark. Some coins have small marks that tell where the coin was minted. The mint mark is usually a letter, and it can appear on either side of the coin. The presence of a mint mark can greatly affect the value of the coin.

Coin Collecting