Coin Prices Magazine

Coin Prices Magazine

I recently became re-interested in coin collecting when a friend mentioned that she was an avid collector and showed me some of her pieces. I had earlier had an interest in numismatics but time and circumstances had caused me to lay it aside for a while.

One of the most trusted names in collecting valuable objects like coins is Krause Publications, publisher of Coin Prices. If you collect something already - antiques, for example, you have probably heard of this company. They have been publishing coin and other collectible magazines since the 1950s. I read Coin Prices since the 1960s and still pick up an issue at the newsstand from time to time to keep up with my interest.

This specialized knowledge is becoming ever more important with the growing interest in the economy, There are certain coins with intrinsic value, that is, bullion value because they contain precious metals. Other coins have numismatic value, based on their rarity or desirability or other factors. These coins have value beyond the melt down value of the gold or silver they contain and the market fluctuates, but trends continue to spiral upward and coins of numismatic value have no problem staying ahead of most investments.

Just the other day a friend approached me indicating they had discovered a hoard of old coins left by their father. They wondered how to put a value on the treasure trove. Coin Prices is one of the good answers for a person in this situation. Let me add that as the population ages, more and more of these collections pass into the hands of unknowing descendants who sometimes cannot recognize the value of the objects and let them go for little or nothing. A magazine like Coin Prices can let you appraise your collection yourself and make an informed judgment as to the value you want to place on your collection. You an also update your knowledge, as the value continues to go up year by year and sometimes month by month.

Coin Prices by Krause Publications is a bimonthly magazine that lists the most current prices for all issues of US collectible coinage in the standard grades of condition - Good (AG)- Good (G) - Fine (F) - Very Fine (VF) Extremely Fine (XF) About Uncirculated (AU) and Uncirculated (Unc).

While there are certain key dates in every series of coins, some collectors prefer in specializing in Type Collecting - that is, one of every known issue the US mint has coined. Others want every coin in a particular series, that is, every year and mint mark. Each of these collection strategies have their adherents and each makes a formidable collection. And once you have your set complete, collectors usually go back and try to replace each with one of better condition. It has endless possibilities.

Coin Prices also has many advertisements that will keep you informed of who, what, when, where, and how coins can be purchased or sold. Listings of coin shows will give you knowledge of when coin shows are held in your locale.

A subscription to Coin Prices costs about $20 for one year (six bi-monthly issues).