Coin guides

Practical guides for new collectors, based on sources such as the U.S. Mint, NGC and the American Numismatic Association. Quick answers are in the coin FAQ.

Getting started

How to start a coin collection

A simple, low-cost way to begin: pick a theme, learn the basics, look after your coins.

Identifying coins

How to find a mint mark on US coins

Where the small letter sits on US coins and what P, D, S, W and the historic marks mean.

How to read a coin’s date, design and series

Where to find the date, how to tell the design type, and why 1965–1967 and 1975–1976 coins are special.

US coin series overview

The main modern US circulating coin series, their dates and design changes — a map for collectors.

Commemorative vs circulating coins

How commemoratives, circulating commemoratives, proofs and uncirculated sets differ — and what that means for collectors.

Condition & value

Coin condition and grading basics

How the 1–70 Sheldon scale works, what the grade names mean and how to judge wear yourself.

What makes a coin valuable

Mintage, survival, condition, demand, varieties and metal — and why value estimates are always ranges.

Error coins and varieties: the basics

What real mint errors and die varieties look like, how they differ from damage, and what to do if you find one.

Silver coins and bullion basics

Which US coins contain silver, the difference between numismatic and bullion coins, and how to spot silver.