What we buy

Older U.S. coins of all kinds: Indian Head and wheat pennies, Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, Walking Liberty and Franklin halves, key dates and scarce mintmarks, type coins, proof and mint sets, and coins graded and sealed in holders (often called “slabs”).

Date, mintmark, condition and demand all affect what a collectible coin is worth, so we look at each one individually.

• Dimes, quarters and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier (90% silver).
• Kennedy half dollars dated 1965 to 1970 (40% silver).
• Wartime Jefferson nickels from 1942 to 1945 (35% silver), marked with a large mintmark above Monticello.
• Morgan dollars (1878–1904 and 1921) and Peace dollars (1921–1928 and 1934–1935).
• 40% silver Eisenhower dollars: S-mint collector coins dated 1971–1974 and 1776–1976.

Dealers often call common pre-1965 silver dimes, quarters and half dollars “junk silver.” It only means they're valued mainly for their silver. The silver calculator gives a quick estimate for the coins listed above, including Morgan and Peace dollars. Better dates, high grades and many Morgan and Peace dollars can be worth more than their silver, so send photos and we'll look at each one.

Not sure whether a coin is silver? Here's how to tell if a coin is silver.

U.S. gold coins, from older Liberty Head, Indian Head and Saint-Gaudens designs to modern American Gold Eagles and Buffaloes, plus other gold bullion coins.

Large-size notes (the bigger bills issued before 1929) and small-size notes, including blue-seal silver certificates, gold certificates, red seal notes, star notes, National Bank Notes and other older U.S. currency.

Please send notes as they are. Don't flatten, press, wash or tape them.

Read our guide to old paper money, including notes from Rockmart and Cedartown banks.

Whole collections and accumulations are welcome. We're glad to look at inherited collections, coin albums and folders, rolls, and proof and mint sets, as well as individual pieces. For estates and large collections, we can come to you.

Inherited a collection? Read what to do first.

Most bullion is valued on its metal content. Some pieces also carry a collector premium:

• Low-mintage proof issues.
• Coins with privy marks or other special-edition markings.
• Bullion coins graded and certified by a grading service, especially with special labels.

Premiums vary from piece to piece and change over time, so we review these individually.