Collectible Coins

Shop our most popular collectible coins in both Silver and Gold, including antique and color coins. All products are 999 fine silver and 9999 fine gold.

Buy Collectible Coins from Scottsdale Mint

The history of coins dates back millennia, to nations around the Ancient Greeks who used precious metals like gold and silver to mint the first standardized methods of payment. Since then, almost every culture has created some form of coin currency—and that great diversity is what makes coin collecting such a fascinating and exciting practice today.

Numismatists, or coin collectors, have diverse reasons for engaging in their hobby. Some are enamored by the wide and varied history of coins, while others are attracted to the immense value of their collections. Whatever reason you might have for looking for collectible coins, you can be certain that Scottsdale Mint offers the best quality coins to all types of collectors.

What are Collectible Coins?

Not all coins made of precious metals are collectible coins—in fact, some collectible coins aren’t made of precious metals at all. Collectible coins gain their status and value not from their material, but from their rarity. Though precious metal coins do tend to be rarer than coins of more mundane metals like zinc and nickel, it isn’t only the gold and silver content of these coins that makes them attractive to collectors. Some important features of collectible coins include:

Age

Coins are lost, get melted down, or otherwise disappear over time, so older coins tend to be rarer and more valuable than newer coins. For example, a quarter from 1800 will be more desirable than a quarter from 2010. Ancient coins are often highly prized by collectors because there might be only a handful of extant specimens available to acquire.

Popularity

Coins from a well-known and beloved series tend to gain collectible status and be worth more than less popular coins. Popularity can arise as a result of historical significance, like coins minted by the Confederacy, or because of distinctive beauty, like the Mercury dime. What is popular amongst numismatists isn’t necessarily the same as what’s popular with the general public, but both groups can affect the price and availability of certain coins.

Mint Marks

Mint marks are special markings on coins that indicate where and when they were struck. Over the course of history, mint marks have been used to hold the makers of coins responsible for their product. For example, if a coin doesn’t contain the standard amount of silver, users can identify the maker and lodge a complaint.

For coin collectors, mint marks are another tool for categorizing coins and determining uncommonness. Not all mints produce the same coins with the same consistency, so some mint marks on certain coins are harder to find, making those coins rarer and more valuable.

It’s worth noting that some coins made as collectibles don’t feature mint marks. For instance, most bullion American Silver Eagles produced today don’t have mint marks because they’re minted exclusively at the West Point mint. However, you can find older Silver Eagles with mint marks like “P” and “S” (for the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints, respectively) which can change the scarcity and thus value of the coin.

Grade

A coin’s grade is its condition—whether the coin is in good shape or whether it’s scarred from age and use. Grade can be affected by circulation or poor preservation, and is usually determined by a grading body, like the American Numismatic Association. The Sheldon Scale is the most widely accepted system of grading for collectible coins. The scale gives a coin a number between 1 and 70, with 70 reserved for coins in superb condition with no damage whatsoever.

Circulated coins tend to have lower grade, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have lower value than uncirculated coins. Again, rarity tends to be the most important feature of a collectible coin.

Metal Content

Though precious metals aren’t the only thing that makes a collectible coin worth collecting, they do tend to enhance a coin’s value. At the very least, a silver or gold coin will always be worth its weight in silver or gold, which is why many investors tend to pick up at least a couple precious metal coin collectibles to add to their portfolio.

Why Should You Buy Collectible Coins?

Bullion coins and collectible coins gain and lose value in different ways. Bullion collectors don’t typically care about how they treat their investment; the precious metal of the coin will maintain value regardless of any scratches or dings. However, the value of bullion rises and falls based on the performance of the precious metals market. In contrast, collectible coins have historic and aesthetic value, which tends to grow over time. Coin collectors take great pains to preserve their pieces, as accidental marks can greatly devalue their investment.

Ultimately, the decision to begin collecting coins is a personal one that depends largely on what you hope to gain from your coin investments. If you find yourself appreciating the beauty and artistry of coins, perhaps collectible coins are the right choice for you.

Collectible Coins Available from Scottsdale Mint

If you’re interested in coin collecting, Scottsdale Mint is an excellent place to start. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our collectible bullion pieces, and we can guarantee the grade and value of any coin in our collection. As you begin your journey into numismatic coins, you can talk to our knowledgeable and trustworthy customer support staff, who will be happy to help you find the right collectible coins for you.