Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/28/2008

Question
I have an 1856 seated liberty "QUAR. DOL." coin. One side has a seated liberty with a sheild and a ribbon with the words "LIBERTY" and the other side with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" with an eagle holding in right claw three arrows and in the other claw holding wheat. I also have a 1856 and 1875 "HALF DOL." seated liberty coin. The only difference is the "HALF DOL." has a ribbon over the eagles head with the words "IN GOD WE TRUST". And I also have an 1826 liberty head "50 C" with seven stars on the left edge and six stars on the left edge, the ribbon over the eagles head is a little different. How much do you think they are worth? Should I send a picture? Or is it worth it?
thanks,
Vicki St. Pierre

Answer

Hello Vicki

Thank you for selecting me for this question. I am not sure of how close you wanted the value of the coins. All coins must be seen to be appraised pictures don‘t really help. I can give you approximate values though.

Coins are valued based on a grading scale from 1 to 70. And on how rare a coin is. With no or little experience it is sometimes easier letting another collector look at them, and even most coin shops will help for free on one or two pieces.
 
In each series of coin type there are some quick reference points of wear to be seen on the high points that are known to show wear first.
Most of these are covered in the RED BOOK. See if you can borrow or use at your library a copy of the book titled "A Guide Book of U. S. Coins" by R. S. Yeoman. If you can borrow a copy it will help. The grading details it describes at the start of each coin series is taken from the American Numismatic Association Standard. And uses the 1 to 70 scale recognized by all professionals since the 1970's.

Also the coins are made at more than one mint. The San Francisco or New Orleans issues sell at different levels than the Philadelphia minted coins.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Un-circulated (grade-AU50) on the scale.

1856 seated liberty Quarter from $15 in low grade to $400 for the San Francisco issue if Almost Un-circulated grade

1856  and 1875 Seated Liberty half dollars from $32 in low grade to $140 for the Philadelphia issue $150 the San Francisco issue and $250 for the Carson City issue if Almost Un-circulated grade

1826 from $55 in low grade to $200 for the San Francisco issue if Almost Un-circulated grade

If you need to locate a dealer in your area feel free to write me back. Use the private question option; put a check in the box when you write me back with the general location (nearest large cities and some zip codes in your area, I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy. They will look at the coin for free.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack