Expert: PAPAJACK - 7/12/2007

Question
Yes, I have One Buffalo nickle,one lady dime 1945,4 wheat pennies 1929,42,50,57 then i have a set of pennies dates from 1918,20,30,and a silver pennie1943,56,64,77,82,97 set then a set of dimes dates 1905,42,59,74 set how much could this be worth?

Answer
Hello Deborah,                      

Coins are valued on a scale from 1 to 70. And on how rare a coin is. With no or little experience it is sometimes easier letting a collector look at them, and even most coin shops will help for free on one or two pieces.
 
In each series of coin type like your "lady dime 1945" 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. 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.

Most circulated coins range from Good (grade-G4) to Almost Uncirculated (grade-AU50) on the scale. So remember a grade of Good or 4 out of a possible 70 is kind of a low grade.

I can only give you a range of prices a collector may pay at this time.

For a 1945 Philadelphia mint dime:
Very Good (Grade-8) = $.80
Fine (grade-12) = $.80
Very Fine (grade-20) = $1.00
Extremely Fine (grade-40) = $1.30 and
Almost Uncirculated (grade-50) = $2.00

For evaluating how worn your cents are look at Lincoln’s bow tie and ear, they wear first. A 1918, 1920, 1929 or 1930 cent goes from .15 cents to $4 depending on the grade.
A post 1940 issue date coin can retail to collectors from .10 to .50 cents in circulated grades. But a dealer will pay less. Virtually all circulated cents made after 1945 will sell for 3 cents each in bulk.
.15 To $1.50 to a collector depending on grade and eye appeal.

A word of advice;
Do not try to clean the coins in any way. Learning to estimate the grade of the coins and noting any cleaning or mishandling is the key to finding the value. 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, has pictures showing the difference. Or if you can get to a Coin Show in your area I'm sure that you will find your coin types are readily available for examination.

For a 1905 Philadelphia mint Dime: $2 to $8 depending on how worn it is.
Fro 1942, 1959 they are about a dollar in circulated condition and the post 1964 dimes are only collected in Mint State grade at this time. A circulated 74 dime is only worth face value.

These values are estimates for the one mint depending on condition, type and mint mark yours may be more or less valuable.

If you write back with more information like mint mark, wear condition etc I can be more accurate for your value. Or if you need grading help let me know.

I hope this information helps. Please remember to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Good Luck

PapaJack