Rare Coins

Rare Coins Definition: Technically, "rare" means very few examples are known (e.g. no more than 75 to earn that designation on the Sheldon Rarity Scale), but with these coins becoming not affordable for the general collection coins with much higher mintages are becoming "rare coin investments".
Rarity of the coin has a huge affect on rare coin value. There are some rare coins with a value of more than $1,000,000 and there are some common coins with the face value or little value.

Most of the time, the rare coins are the once, which can appreciate in value dramatically over some time and these are the once collectors seek the most. You can read more on the Value of Rare Coins on our Coin Values page.

Rare Coin

Rare Coins Prices


Rare coins prices depend on a lot of factors and we will discuss some of them here:

1) Coin Grading: Value of rare coins depends a lot on the coin grading. Usually, even a difference in 1 grade makes coins 2-3 times more expensive.

2) Mintage or how rare the coin is also affects the value. Coins minted in low mintages would have a better value in the series. Even if 2 coins look and grade identical and only differ in 1 year, the coin with the lower mintage for the year will have higher value.

3) Coin Market: - Demand and Supply for coins creating a coin market, where value of the coin would be influenced by a lot of political and economical factors. For ex: Some of the rare old coins from Eastern Europe would cost very little only, because there is a little demand and people can't afford to have the luxury of collecting coins. NOTE: We can see that this is changing now and some coins from Eastern Europe, especially Russian coins have a huge opportunity to increase in value and already started to become expensive even for serious investors.

4) Rare Silver Coins and Rare Gold Coins - There is an increasing demand in rare coins made from precious metals, such as silver and gold. The value of these rare coins grown dramatically in last years affected by increase in commodity prices and high demand. Refer to Silver Coins page and Gold Coins page for more information about rare silver coins, rare gold coins and rare gold coins value.

5) Error Coins - Some collectors specialize in so-called error coins. These are the coins that have been minted in error or with some unintended mistake in design. Prices of error coins vary considerably, and are based on denomination, date (if the date is visible), how significant the error, error type, how scarce the error is, and the dealer's demeanor.

NOTE: Be aware that values of error coins have been stable and steady over the decades. This is not an investment hobby, but an enjoyable and educational experience, and a good illustration of our imperfect world.

Please refer to the Coin Values page for more information about rare coin value and rare coin prices.

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This article by Eduardo De Resendes briefly summarizes the main advantages of investing in rare coins and offers some guidelines to prospective rare coin investors.

The following summarizes some of the main advantages of rare coin investments.

1) Rare coins have historically protected or preserved wealth as strong inflation fighters, particularly in countries whose paper currency has been severely weakened. Any time our paper money is threatened, rare coins can protect wealth much like an investment in gold bullion.

2) Rare coins are selling at steep discount to their 1980's highs and, given the cyclical nature of the rare coin market, may be poised for rapid price appreciation in the near future.

3) The beauty of rare coins can be enjoyed much like any other work of art. They are also a very private form of investment not subject to government scrutiny common to other types of investments held in banks and by brokerage houses.

4) Rare coins are easy to store and are virtually indestructible. They are also insurable. Rare coins represent truly portable wealth which can be moved from place to place very quickly and easily.

5) With thousands of coin dealers around, selling most quality rare coins is quite easy making them a fairly liquid investment.

If you are interested to collect rare coins, read more at A Companion to Rare Coin Collecting

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Rare Coins News
07/18/2025
Rare 50p coin sells for £180 after bidding war – exact details to spot
A RARE 50p coin has sold for £180 after a fierce bidding war – we reveal the exact details to spot. The 2009 Blue Peter piece sold for the hefty sum just days ago, receiving a total of 21 ... more info

07/18/2025
Rare 50p error coin sells for 600 times face value after three-day bidding war – exact mistake to look out for
A RARE 50p error coin has sold for more than 600 times its face value after a fierce three-day bidding war. The “Lines Across The Face” 2011 Olympic Aquatics piece fetched £305.20 less ... more info

07/14/2025
Rare 'Brexit' 50p coin worth £40,000 could be hiding in your change - how to spot
An expert has urged Brits to look out for a rare 50p coin that could be worth as much as £40,000. However, this piece needs to feature one of two specific dates to be especially valuable. Known as the ... more info

07/17/2025
Chicago firm returns coins from 1850 ship wreck to U.S. Navy
A Chicago firm specializing in rare coins, antiquities and historical artifacts has returned looted coins from the wreck of the USS Yorktown (1839) to the U.S. Navy. more info

07/18/2025
Rare coin on sale for £15,000 with half of sale donated to charity
A Paddington Bear coin is on sale in Evesham for over £15,000 with 50 percent of the sale fee being donated to Cancer Research UK. more info

07/09/2025
Rare 50p coin listed for £10,000 on eBay and there are 9m of them out there
A rare 50p Paddington Bear coin has been spotted on eBay for a staggering £10,000 - but a coin expert has urged people to be wary of purchasing 'rare' coins online ... more info