General Questions

What is the value of my coin or banknote?​

If you’re wondering what the value of your coins or currency are, let Stack’s Bowers Galleries do the work for you. What could take you hours can take us minutes! If you happen to be in the neighborhood, you can make an appointment for a free appraisal of your collection. We have offices located in Costa Mesa, California; New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; Hong Kong SAR; and Paris. (See below for contact information for each location.) And be sure to click on our show schedule to see when we’ll be in your neighborhood.

If you prefer to do some research on your own, we suggest either visiting CoinAppraiser.com or obtaining a copy of A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman. This book is the longest running annual retail coin-pricing guide and is available for purchase online and at most bookstores. We also recommend you read the introduction to get a better understanding of how to use the guide. Please note: Since this is an annual publication and coin prices are subject to change on a daily basis, the prices in the guidebook may not always be an accurate reflection of today’s market. Additionally, most times it is necessary for our experts to see your coins or currency in person before determining their worth. If you find that your coins may be worth money or if you have any questions regarding your items, please call us at 800-458-4646 and we’ll get you in touch with one of our professionals who can answer all your questions.

How do I know if the coin or banknote I have is real?

As you become more involved in collecting, you may encounter a coin or banknote of questionable authenticity. The coin or banknote could be altered, replicated, or counterfeited. To protect yourself, you should only buy coins or currency from a reputable dealer, and buy coins or currency that have already been certified by a third-party grading company such as PCGS, NGC or PMG. You should also educate yourself on what to look for when trying to determine the authenticity of coins and currency. A copy of the book The Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection​ by PCGS can also assist you on the subject.

What are replica coins?

Coins of historical importance or exceptional rarity and value are most often affected by replication. These replicas are done by marketing firms for sale to the general public through mail-order catalogs or television infomercials. The easiest way to identify a replicated coin is to look for a seam on the edge of the coin — a sign that the coin is actually two halves that have been joined together.

What is an altered coin?

Altered coins are intended to fool dealers and collectors. The most common alterations are done to mintmarks and dates. Other forms of alteration include cleaning, acid etching and plating the surface of a genuine coin — all of which are practices frowned upon by the numismatic community. Altered coins are typically traded at substantially discounted prices. The best way to detect if a coin has been altered is to examine the surfaces under magnification. If you still have doubts, you should not purchase the coin without a written guarantee of authenticity.

How can I detect if I have a counterfeit coin?

Counterfeit coins can be found for nearly every coin minted up until 1933. As technology improves, so does the sophistication of numismatic forgeries. Some counterfeit coins can be easily detected by looking at the coin under magnification. If you notice any “bubbling” on the surface, engravings that do not match genuine Mint products, inconsistencies with color and/or luster, and difference in weight, the coin in question is most likely counterfeit. Below is a list of the most commonly counterfeited U.S. coins, click on each coin to see what authentic coins look like:

Should I clean my coins?

No, you should never clean your coins. By cleaning a coin you risk causing significant damage to the coin’s surface. Cleaned coins are worth significantly less than a coin that retains its original surface. Coins that have not been sorted in a protective environment will oxidize with time. The oxidation can result in dark and/or vivid, sometimes rainbow-colored toning. Many collectors will only purchase coins with original toning.

How do I sell my coins or currency?

Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, Internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels.  In addition to being at the forefront of numismatic auctions for nearly a century, we also buy coins directly and pay top market price. Each member of our buying team is a valuation expert who you can trust to pay the highest price in the marketplace.  Contact a buyer or a consignment specialist today and convert your coins or paper money to cash you can spend right now. 800.458.4646 or email info@stacksbowers.com

How can I have my coins and currency appraised by Stack’s Bowers Galleries?

Having your coins or currency appraised by one of our expert numismatists is easy! There are several ways to begin the process:

In person:

If you’re wondering what the value of your coins or currency are, let Stack’s Bowers Galleries do the work for you. What could take you hours can take us minutes! If you happen to be in the neighborhood, you can make an appointment for a free appraisal of your collection. We have offices located in Costa Mesa, California; New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; Hong Kong; and Paris. (See below for contact information for each location.) And be sure to click on our show schedule to see when we’ll be in your neighborhood.

Email: 

Send us a list and photographs of your items to info@stacksbowers.com. Please note: It may be necessary for our one of our experts to see your items in person before assigning a value. In that case, we recommend you ship your coins to Stack’s Bowers Galleries via the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Mobile App:

Download our FREE App today in the iTunes App Store or Google Play and introduce yourself to our on-the-go auction experience.  Through the app you can instantly upload images of your collection or single item for our experts to review.

Mail:

Send us a list and photographs of your items to your nearest Stack’s Bowers Galleries office:

Once your list arrives, it will be reviewed by one of our numismatic experts. Please note: It may be necessary for our one of our experts to see your items in person before assigning a value. In that case, we recommend that you ship your coins to Stack’s Bowers Galleries via the United States Postal Service (USPS).