What Are Collectible Coins?

    Collectible coins are those that have value exceeding their precious metal content. Example: A common 1964 Roosevelt dime is only valued for the silver it contains. A dealer would likely only pay fifty cents for it; whereas a 1916D Mercury dime in good condition would probably receive an offer of around $650.00.  Same is true for common wheat pennies from 1909 to 1959. Most dealers pay in the range of two to three cents each while he may pay around $200.00 for 1914D cent in very good condition. Common date silver dollars in average condition will be in the ten to twelve dollar range. Yet a 1893S Morgan that grades VG will sell to dealer in the neighborhood of $3,000.00.

Most foreign coins without precious metal are worthless to most U. S. collectors. Dateless Buffalo nickels will go for face value and dateless Standing Liberty quarter's only value is it's silver content. A badly worn or damaged coin will rarely find a buyer.

Remember, even if a coin is 150 years old and there is no real collector interest, the value may be very low, while a modern piece that has great collector appeal may carry a seemly ridiculous price tag. The bottom line: As with anything else, a thing is only worth what someone is willing to pay,  no matter what a book may suggest it's value to be. Another textbook example of the economics of supply and demand.