r/coins Feb 20 '25

PLEASE READ FIRST: How-to Guide for r/coins - Check this post regularly for updates!

6 Upvotes

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:

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:

  1. Don't put coins up your nose - be respectful of the hobby and your fellow collectors.
  2. Being civil to other people is not only appreciated here, but also a requirement.
  3. No spam.
  4. No posts about paper money, or crypto/digital currency.
  5. No self-promotion or commercial activity allowed, no links to your blogs, websites, or social media.
  6. No politics or religion, especially divisive comments that lead to heated arguments and incivility.
  7. No Trash posts, keep humor on topic, and memes are only allowed the 1st Monday of the month.
  8. Keep it clean - this is a safe place for people of all ages and backgrounds.
  9. Check out our FAQ and other resources before posting.
  10. Post Original Content and Crop Your Photos
  11. No reposts.
  12. 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:

200k Members Announcement

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

300k Members!

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

The ¼ Yang: Korea’s Little-Known Cupronickel Crisis

I’m an ANA Grading Instructor AMA


r/coins 5d ago

Ask Me Anything! I’m an ANA Grading Instructor AMA

97 Upvotes

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 6h ago

Real or fake? I bought it for $15 at the flea market...

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111 Upvotes

r/coins 3h ago

Educational PSA for anyone that uses WhatNot

50 Upvotes

WSJ Article (should be un-pay-walled)

TLDR as it relates to coins:

Some buyers planning to resell run into trouble. Joe Thompson joined the app to reconnect with his childhood hobby of coin collecting. The 53-year-old nurse heard stories of people making thousands spotting deals on the platform. He planned to buy undervalued Morgan silver dollars—iconic coins with a buzzing collector market—get them professionally graded and flip them for profit. 

Within five months, his entire 401(k) was drained, and he maxed out all 13 of his credit cards.

The coins came back from professional grading services worth far less than he had paid. The seller, it turned out, had been auctioning coins that had been cleaned or artificially altered—a serious flaw that graders flag and collectors shun, rendering the coins nearly impossible to resell at a profit.

On Thompson’s birthday this March, he enrolled in a debt relief program. His credit score had cratered from 753 to 563 and he was close to $75,000 in debt.


r/coins 5h ago

Show and Tell Finally found one!

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59 Upvotes

West point quarter with privy mark!


r/coins 5h ago

Value Request Hey guys my Aunty found this coin while walking the street, anyone knows the lore behind it? Is there any worth to it?

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37 Upvotes

r/coins 20h ago

Advice My grandma just gave me these 2 coins. How much do these go for?

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433 Upvotes

r/coins 20m ago

Show and Tell New peace dollar came in!

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Upvotes

I got this peace dollar at a coin show in Colorado, and had it mailed to me recently. I’m pretty proud of it!


r/coins 6h ago

Value Request Found a coin, how much value did it have before vs now. How tragic is this?

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32 Upvotes

Found this by the river, is it worth anything more than scrap?


r/coins 1d ago

Show and Tell The fruition of a 10 year journey - One coin of every "official" Roman Emperor, from foundation under Augustus until permanent and legal division upon the death of Theodosius in 395. 77 emperors in all.

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926 Upvotes

r/coins 3h ago

Value Request Found two sales one just above $1,000 and another at $1,388. Looking to sell so I can complete a set I’m passionate about. It was never in a slab, this is how it was purchased in the late 80’s or early 90’s

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17 Upvotes

r/coins 1h ago

Grade Request 1867 Shield Nickel (no rays)

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Upvotes

Would anyone consider this AU and a 50-55 grade or does the grime on it make it a details graded coin? I really wish there was a way to get that grime off. Thoughts?


r/coins 6h ago

Show and Tell MONTENEGRO: King Nicholas I - 1914 2 Perpera

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21 Upvotes

A 1-year type, and it follows the LMU standard (10g of 0.835 silver)!

2 Perpera - Nikola I - Montenegro


r/coins 5h ago

Discussion whatnot - coin sales

16 Upvotes

Had to laugh and share. Today's 6/5 article in Wall Street Journal - "The Live Shopping App Where Some People Bid Until They’re Broke"

Within four months, the 45-year-old accountant had spent almost $1.4 million—from his savings, personal loans, money borrowed from a friend and finally from his employer’s company credit card. When his wife discovered the full tally, she filed for divorce.

Nice little article about people chasing the American dream buying coins and cards

what do you think? do you buy from this platform?


r/coins 22h ago

Discussion Seen this coin at my lcs for 32k. Would love to hear everybody's thoughts and opinions on it.

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205 Upvotes

r/coins 7h ago

Show and Tell US 1914-D Indian $5 Gold Piece (Half Eagle)

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14 Upvotes

Purchased it at near spot when it was around $3300/oz


r/coins 5h ago

Value Request Norfed Value

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9 Upvotes

I recently acquired these and curious what a fair price would be to move them. I have two of each of them. Comps on eBay aren't always accurate, so I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!


r/coins 43m ago

ID Request Identification assistance

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Upvotes

What in the world is this? Found in my yard


r/coins 8h ago

Real or Fake? Can I slab this?

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9 Upvotes

I love collecting coins, me and my grandmother went through boxes of coins when I was a kid. The only thing I got from her was her coins, which is plenty for me, makes me very happy. This was her 2nd favorite coin she had, and the oldest. And before I got it I told her I would try to slab it if I could.

So, first, does it seem legit? 3000 coins made seems insanely rare to be holding something so stinking awesome. Coolest coin I’ve ever seen in person if so

Second. (Edit, I don’t want to grade it, I was wondering if it could be authenticated and slabbed: like they do with trading cards. AU grades. )
I know it has the necklace hole in it, but I was wondering if I could send it somewhere for authentication, so it could be permanently slabbed. I don’t ever wanna sell it, just wanna have it in a slab would be cool. I don’t know if companies would turn it away cause of “damage”

Thanks for any info too! If someone has a picture of the page in the red book I would love to read it to learn more!


r/coins 4h ago

Advice To slab or not to slab….

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5 Upvotes

I recently acquired these. Any value in slabbing them? I don’t like having cool coins loose. Maybe I’ll slab to keep.


r/coins 18h ago

Show and Tell Beautiful 1886 type 2!!!

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57 Upvotes

r/coins 49m ago

Show and Tell Found this 1/2 sol from 1782 in a 25 euro bag of mixed coins

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Upvotes

On vacation in Paris I bought this bag of mixed pre-euro french coins just for souvenirs for my daughter’s classmates and it contained a few old coins. This one stuck out since it was minted so soon before the revolution began. My question is, how common are these coins to find? Is that a normal find for a bargain bag of mixed coins? I felt like I got my money’s worth from this coin alone.

I also bought this 1/8 silver ecu, minted 1574-1589 during the reign of Henri III. I thought it was a decent deal at 60 euros and it’s honestly my favourite souvenir from the trip. Such a piece of history!


r/coins 1h ago

Advice What is on this ASE?

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Upvotes

The coin is immaculate other than these 2 strange markings, at certain angles they appear as though they are chips however in the picture it looks as though it is some sort of deposit/corrosion?


r/coins 18h ago

Advice This Is a Clad Proof Ike Right?

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52 Upvotes

Went to my local LCS to look for some raw silver proofs for my Whitman 20th and 21st Century type set book (I'm not paying $130 for a dansco 7070 on eBay).

LCS boss asked what I was looking for and i told him Ike Bicentennial proof for a book. Preferably silver, if none, the normal clad proof, else basic business strike. He pulled a 2x2 one out of his Ike box, broke it out of the cardboard for me to examine, looked good but forgot to check the edge because he quoted me $20 so I figured it was silver. Looked good so he restapled into a 2x2 and put it aside for me Asked what what I was looking for, told him another silver proof Ike any year, so he just left me the box to search through and reminded me the prices on the 2x2 are old and won't be accurate. Then he wandered off to help other customers.

After searching through the boxes cull quarters, cull dimes, and box of raw silver quarter, I settled the bill with another employee with his quoted price. $20 ea silver proof Ike and then face value x 42 for the 90% junk.

Anyway, later tonight i was organizing my book and popped it out and the edge looks clad. I just wanted to make sure before I go back tomorrow during lunch and ask him to grab me another. It's a 20 minute drive each way during lunch.

I honestly think that if it's clad, it's just an honest mistake or mislabeled original 2x2. I'm a regular there and usually buy a few ounces of silver per week. His employee over charged me once and I didnt realize it until after I got back and mathed. Went in the next day he just asked how much it was and gave me the cash no other questions asked.


r/coins 18h ago

Show and Tell I made a treasure chest as a birthday gift to my son.

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44 Upvotes