Follow These Steps

1

Identify Your Coin

Match your coin to one of the categories below (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, silver dollars).

2

Check the Date

Find the year on the front of your coin. If it’s listed below, it may be valuable.

3

Find the Mint Mark

Look for a small mint mark letter, such as D, S, O, or CC; some coins have no mint mark, and its location varies by coin.

4

Get a Free Appraisal

Condition can have a major impact on value. Bring your coin in for a free appraisal, and we’ll evaluate it for you.

Pennies & Cents

Flying Eagle Cents 1856–1858

Semi-Rare Dates

Most dates carry collector value

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1856

Indian Head Pennies 1859–1909

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1859
  • 1861
  • 1864
  • 1864 with ‘L’ on neck
  • 1866–1876
  • 1878
  • 1908-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1877
  • 1909-S

Lincoln Cents 1909–Present

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1909-S

  • 1911-S
  • 1912-S
  • 1914-S
  • 1915-S
  • 1922-D
  • 1924-D
  • 1931-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1909-S VDB

  • 1914-D
  • 1922 (no D)

Large Cents & Half Cents Pre-1858

Semi-Rare Dates

Most dates have some collector value

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • Any 1793 coin

  • 1799 Draped Bust
  • 1804 Draped Bust

Nickels

Buffalo Nickels 1913–1938

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1913-S v1
  • 1913-D v2
  • 1914
  • 1914-D/S
  • 1915-D/S
  • 1916-D
  • 1917-D/S
  • 1918-D
  • 1921-S
  • 1924-S
  • 1926-S
  • 1931-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1913-S v2

  • 1916 Double Die
  • 1918-D (8 over 7)
  • 1937-D (3-legged buffalo)

Shield Nickels 1866–1883

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1866 Rays

  • 1867 Rays
  • 1871
  • 1875
  • 1876
  • 1883 (3 over 2)

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1877

  • 1878
  • 1879
  • 1880
  • 1881

V (Liberty) Nickels 1883–1912

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1883 Cents

  • 1884
  • 1888
  • 1894
  • 1912-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1885

  • 1886

Three Cent Nickels 1865–1889

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1879

  • 1880
  • 1882
  • 1883
  • 1888
  • 1889

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1884

  • 1885
  • 1886
  • 1887

Dimes

Mercury Dimes 1916–1947

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1921

  • 1921-D

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1916-D

  • 1942-P (42 over 41)
  • 1942-D (42 over 41)

Barber Dimes 1892–1916

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1892-S

  • 1893 (3/2)
  • 1893-O
  • 1894-O
  • 1895
  • 1895-S
  • 1896-O/S
  • 1897-O
  • 1901-S
  • 1903-S
  • 1904-S
  • 1913-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1894-S — only 24 known

  • 1895-O

Seated Liberty Dimes 1837–1891

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1837

  • 1838-O
  • 1843-O
  • 1846
  • 1856-S
  • 1858-S
  • 1860-S
  • 1864
  • 1865
  • 1866-S
  • 1879–1881

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1844

  • 1860-O
  • 1863
  • 1866
  • 1867
  • 1870-S
  • 1871-CC
  • 1872-CC
  • 1873-CC
  • 1874-CC
  • 1885-S

Draped & Capped Bust Dimes 1796–1837

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1798–1803

  • 1805
  • 1807
  • 1809
  • 1811 (11 over 09)

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1796

  • 1797 all types
  • 1804
  • 1822

Quarters

Washington Quarters 1932–Present

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1932-D

  • 1932-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

See semi-rare column

Standing Liberty Quarters 1916–1930

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1917 all mints

  • 1918-D
  • 1919 all mints
  • 1920-D
  • 1921
  • 1924-D
  • 1927-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1916
  • 1918-S (8 over 7)
  • 1923-S

Barber Quarters 1892–1916

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1892-S

  • 1896-O
  • 1897-S
  • 1901-O
  • 1905-O
  • 1909-O
  • 1914-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1896-S

  • 1901-S
  • 1913-S

Seated Liberty Quarters 1838–1891

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1841

  • 1842
  • 1851
  • 1852
  • 1855-O/S
  • 1856-S–1862-S
  • 1864
  • 1865
  • 1875-CC
  • 1876-CC
  • 1877-CC

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1842-O small date

  • 1849-O
  • 1864-S
  • 1866
  • 1870-CC
  • 1871-CC
  • 1871-S
  • 1872-CC
  • 1872-S
  • 1873-CC

Half Dollars

Walking Liberty Half Dollars 1916–1947

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1916

  • 1916-D
  • 1916-S
  • 1921-S
  • 1938-D

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1921-P

  • 1921-D

Barber Half Dollars 1892–1916

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1893-S

  • 1896-S
  • 1897-O/S
  • 1913
  • 1914
  • 1915

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1892-O

  • 1892-S

Seated Liberty Half Dollars 1839–1891

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1846 (6/6)

  • 1850
  • 1851
  • 1872-CC
  • 1873-CC

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1852

  • 1855-S
  • 1866-S (no motto)
  • 1870-CC
  • 1871-CC
  • 1874-CC
  • 1878-CC
  • 1879–1890

Capped Bust Half Dollars 1807–1839

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1807

  • 1839-O

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1815 (5 over 2)

  • 1836

Flowing Hair & Draped Bust Half Dollars 1794–1807

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1803

  • 1805–1807

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1794

  • 1796 all types
  • 1797 (15 Stars)
  • 1801
  • 1802

Silver Dollars

Morgan Silver Dollars 1878–1921

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1878-CC

  • 1882-CC
  • 1883-CC
  • 1884-CC
  • 1886-S
  • 1890-CC
  • 1891-CC
  • 1892-S
  • 1896-S
  • 1899
  • 1901
  • 1902-S
  • 1904-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1879-CC

  • 1880-CC
  • 1881-CC
  • 1885-CC
  • 1889-CC
  • 1892-CC
  • 1893
  • 1893-CC
  • 1893-O
  • 1893-S
  • 1894
  • 1895
  • 1895-O
  • 1895-S
  • 1903-O
  • 1903-S

Peace Silver Dollars 1921–1935

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1921

  • 1934-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1928

Gobrecht Silver Dollars 1836–1839

Semi-Rare Dates

Most dates carry collector value

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1836

  • 1838
  • 1839

Seated Liberty Silver Dollars 1840–1873

Semi-Rare Dates

  • 1848
  • 1850
  • 1850-O
  • 1856–1863
  • 1870-CC
  • 1872-S

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1851

  • 1852
  • 1854
  • 1855
  • 1858
  • 1871-CC
  • 1872-CC
  • 1873-CC

Draped Bust & Flowing Hair Silver Dollars 1794–1804

Semi-Rare Dates

Most dates carry collector value

★ High-Value Dates ($100+)

  • 1794 Flowing Hair

  • 1795 Flowing Hair
  • All Draped Bust dates 1795–1803
  • 1804 — ‘King of American Coins’

Things That Make a Coin Valuable

  • Why It Matters: Fewer coins were made at certain mints. CC (Carson City) is the most prized.
  • Examples: 1893-S Morgan Dollar, 1871-CC Quarter

  • Why It Matters: Last year’s date shows through — look for a ghost number.
  • Examples: 1942/41 Mercury Dime, 1918/17 Buffalo Nickel

  • Why It Matters: Something was accidentally left off. These errors are valuable.
  • Examples: 1922 Lincoln (no D), 1937-D Buffalo (3 legs)

  • Why It Matters: Removed after backlash, making early versions rare.
  • Examples: 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

  • Why It Matters: Most U.S. dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 or earlier contain 90% silver.
  • Examples: Any 1964 or earlier dime, quarter, or half dollar

  • Why It Matters: Age alone gives a copper coin collector value.
  • Examples: Any large penny or half cent before 1858.

What Determines Value?

The factors above can help identify potentially valuable coins, but actual value depends on authenticity, condition, rarity, and current market demand. A professional appraisal is the best way to determine what your coin may be worth.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Coin Isn’t Listed. Is It Worthless?

Not at all. This guide highlights some of the more commonly collected dates and varieties, but many coins can carry additional value due to rarity, condition, silver content, mint errors, or collector demand. If you’re unsure what you have, bring it in for a free appraisal.

Should I Clean My Coins?

No. Cleaning can permanently damage a coin’s surface and significantly reduce its collector value. For the best appraisal, bring your coins in exactly as you found them.

What’s the Difference Between Semi-Rare and High-Value?

Semi-rare dates typically sell for a premium above common examples of the same coin. High-value dates are often worth $100 or more and may be especially desirable to collectors due to low mintages, rarity, or strong demand.

How Long Does a Free Appraisal For Rare Coins Take?

Most appraisals take just a few minutes, though larger collections may require additional time. In many cases, we can evaluate your coins and make an offer the same day. Walk-ins are welcome at our Smyrna, TN location Monday through Friday from 10 AM–5 PM and Saturday from 11 AM–3 PM.

Think you found something?

Bring it in. Free appraisals. Same-day payment.

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The #1 Gold Buyer in Tennessee

The Gold Rush Store

1932 Almaville Rd Suite 110
Smyrna, TN 37167

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615.893.2414

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