Which Coins Are Worthless and Which Ones are Valuable?

If you’ve got a handful of coins clinking around in your drawers or in a box under your bed, you may be wondering if they are valuable. But how can you tell which coins are worth something? We’re here to tell you which coins are worthless and which ones are valuable. Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.

Which Coins Are Worthless?

Susan B. Anthony Coins

Susan B. Anthony coins tend not be worth much. There are two reasons that these coins don’t hold much value. The first is that they were extremely common when they were in circulation. It is very rare to come across one that actually has worth to it since so many are common mints. Second, is that there was a lack of interest and confusion when it came to the coins that caused most of the variations to not be in circulation at all. The supply of these coins is very high, while the demand is low. Often, you won’t get more than the face value of the coins.

Sacagawea Coins

Like the Susan B. Anthony coins, the Sacagawea Dollars don’t often hold much value besides the very few rare varieties that exist. These coins are also often only worth their face value, and while they are a great addition to a coin collection, they won’t make you money.

Presidential Dollar Coins

Presidential dollar coins are another type of coin that is only worth its face value. Presidential dollar coins are fairly common on the market and make a fun gift for kids or collectors, but aren’t worth trying to make a sale on. These coins stopped being in production around 2011 because they had a very low demand.

Wheat Back Pennies

Wheat back pennies are coins that are commonly misrepresented as being worth a lot of money, but in reality, they aren’t worth more than a few cents. There are millions of these pennies on the market, and there are only two pennies (the 1909-s and the 1909 BVD) that have value. However, these two pennies are so extremely rare that it’s highly unlikely that you will ever come across one.

Which Coins Are Valuable?

American Flowing Hair Dollar (1794)

The American Flowing Hair Dollar first appeared in 1794, and only lasted until around 1795. The 1795 version is more common than it’s earlier counterpart which makes the 1794 coin extremely valuable.

Draped Bust Half Dollar (1797)

Draped bust half dollars were minted between 1796 and 1807. However, the 1797 draped bust half dollar is a very rare version of the coin with less than 4,000 coins ever minted with only a few hundred still left circulating today.

Liberty Seated Dollar (1870)

Liberty Seated Dollars from 1870 are extremely rare and valuable coins. With only 15 minted of the 1870-S variety, these coins are in high demand and could fetch you over a million dollars if it’s in pristine condition. However, the regular strike 1870 coins are also valued around $100,000 (in pristine condition) and have around 415,000 in circulation.

Morgan Silver Dollar (1889)

It’s possible that you have an 1889 Morgan silver dollar sitting around at home. With over 21 million minted, these coins are valued at around $25,000 if they’re in pristine condition. These coins are also valuable because each mint of these coins has its own distinctive mark.

Any PCGS or NGC Coins

Any coin that is graded by a national grading organization like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) will have value to it. If you buy coins that are already graded by one of these organizations, it’s likely that your coin has potential resale value that can make you a profit.

Should You Clean Coins Before Selling Them?

You should never clean coins before you sell them. Even if you have a coin that is extremely valuable, cleaning it could greatly diminish the value. Even if your coins are very dirty, you should never attempt to clean them before you bring them to be graded. Professional coin dealers won’t mind that they’re dirty, and they will take the proper steps to remove the dirt if it’s necessary.

Want to Buy or Sell Gold and Silver Coins?

If you have coins that you are ready to sell, or you’re prepared to invest in gold and silver coins, California Gold and Silver can help! You can contact us to schedule an appointment or visit our office in Upland, California. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have!

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How to Tell if Your Silver Coins Are Valuable

You may find yourself with an excess of silver coins. Or, maybe you’ve been keeping an eye on the silver market prices and you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to sell your coins. Either way, how do you tell if your silver coins are valuable? If you want to be able to have an idea of how much you’ll get for your silver coins before you go to sell them, there are a few ways you can determine their value. Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.

First, Figure Out if Your Coins Are Bullion or Numismatic

The type of coin you have will help to give you a more accurate idea of how much your coins are worth. Your coins will often be bullion coins or numismatic coins. If you have bullion coins, there are fewer factors that go into determining the value of the coin. This means that it will be easier to get an accurate measure of their value. Bullion coins are purely for investing since they themselves hold a numeric value. On the other hand, numismatic coins are more often collected by collectors and hobbyists.

How to Tell if Your Silver Bullion Coins are Valuable

Silver bullion coins are slightly easier to determine their worth than numismatic coins because bullion coins have a numeric value based on their weight and how much silver they contain.

Queen' Beast Completer Coin Front

Purity

Your silver coins should have a stamp on them that says 800, 900, 925, 958, or 999. This stamp will tell you how much silver is in your coin. 999 is 99.9% pure silver while 800 is 80% silver. The higher the purity, the higher the value of your silver coins.

Weight

The weight of your coins is probably one of the most accurate ways to tell if your silver coins are valuable. Since the silver market is measured by weight, you can look at the current price of silver and use that to determine your coin’s value based on how much your coins weigh. Silver is measured in troy ounces, which is a special unit of measurement for gold and silver. Troy ounces are based on 12 ounces to a pound instead of 16 ounces to a pound. One troy ounce is equal to 31.1034768 grams.

How to Tell if Your Numismatic Coins Are Valuable

Numismatic coins are collectibles, which means that there are very specific things that go into the coin’s value. While most collectors will already have an idea of what their coins are worth, people new to collecting may not know what to look for. Since you can’t simply just weigh numismatic coins, you’ll have to do a little bit of research on your coins to tell if your silver coins are valuable.

australia koala platinum

Number Minted

The number minted refers to how many coins were originally made and therefore how many are on the market. Coins with a lower mint number may be more valuable since they are rarer.

Grade and Quality

The grade or quality of your coin also plays a part in determining how much your coins are worth. Coins in better condition are often more valuable than ones that are damaged or flawed. The grade and quality of your coins is not equal to the cleanliness of your coins, and you should never clean your coins before you sell them.

Demand

Lastly, another important thing to research when figuring out if your coins are worth anything is to check their demand. Coins in high demand will be more valuable than those that are not in demand. You can easily do a quick online search to see if your coins are in demand. While you don’t ever want to sell your coins on websites like Ebay, you can use the website to see how much the coins are going for and if there is a high demand for them.

We Buy and Sell Silver Coins

We buy and sell many different kinds of silver coins. Silver coins of note that we are currently buying are:

Silver Dollar Coins

  • Morgan

  • Peace

  • American Silver Eagle.

  • Silver Eisenhower Dollars (Blue Ike or Brown Ike – however, they must be in this special set)

 

Wartime Silver Nickels

We buy wartime silver nickels. We buy coins in the years 1942-P and 1942-S to 1945. Wartime silver nickels look dirty and are 35% Silver.

Silver Coins We Do Not Buy

We do not buy Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, or Presidential Dollar Coins.

Silver Coins We Sell

We currently have a stock of 2023 Silver Britannia with Kings Charles coins for sale.

Ready to Buy or Sell?

If you are ready to buy silver coins or sell your silver coins, you can schedule an appointment with us. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.

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What’s the Difference Between Karats, Carats, and Carrots?

When you start to invest in gold and diamonds, it’s important to know the terminology associated with each trade. Each of these investment opportunities uses karats or carats as a form of measurement. However, there are a few differences in how carats and karats are measured.

Carats

Carats are a unit of measurement used specifically for diamonds. While most people believe that carat refers to the size of the diamond, it actually refers to the weight. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. While diamonds are priced on their weight, or how many carats they are, they are also priced based on their cut, clarity, and color.

Karats

Unlike carats, karats don’t refer to the weight of gold, but they instead refer to their purity. Gold ranges from 9 karats to 24 karats with 24 karats being 100% pure gold. Often, people will choose 14-karat gold for jewelry since it is extremely durable and more affordable than other karats. 14-karat gold is about 60% pure gold and 40% other metals. 18-karat gold is another popular choice since it is about 75% pure gold. 18-karat gold also has gorgeous color quality and is very durable. Since 18-karat gold has a very high gold content, it is less likely to irritate the skin.

…Carrots?

Carrots are a delicious root vegetable, and a great healthy choice to add to a meal. They also make a delicious snack on their own!

We Buy Gold, Silver, and Diamonds

If you have gold, silver, and diamonds you’d like to sell, you can bring them into CA Gold and Silver Exchange in Upland, California. We will test, weigh, and price your coins, bullion, and jewelry in our store. We also sell coins and bullion if you are looking to purchase or start investing. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Gold and Silver Are in Demand – Shop Our Stock

Gold and Silver Are in Demand

Gold and silver are high in demand right now, which is good news for investors. However, this means that it can be more difficult to locate gold and silver items to trade. Here at CA Gold and Silver, we still have both gold and silver items in stock including coins, bullion, and bars.

The Silver Shortage Causes a Peak in Demand

According to the website Chief Investment Officer, “Demand for silver is estimated to have reached a record high of 1.21 billion ounces in 2022, up 16% from the prior year, per the Silver Institute. Gold demand was up, too, some 18%, although it failed to match its 2011 record, the World Gold Council found” (ai-cio.com). This increase in demand comes from the current silver shortage we are experiencing. Since silver is used as an industrial material, and not only for investment and jewelry like gold is, there is a greater disparity in the amount of silver that is available. Only about 25% of our silver comes from mining, so simply increasing our mining production isn’t a viable solution to the shortage.

 

Gold and Silver

Gold Prices Reaching All-Time High

We’re seeing a steady increase in the price of gold this year, and it’s predicted that prices will continue to rise as the year goes on. Currently, we’re seeing gold at the highest it’s been in over ten years, and predictions say that the price of gold will remain high. This has led more people to turn to invest in gold to combat rising inflation prices.

Another big factor in the demand for both silver and gold is the reopening of China’s economy along with others. China is currently the largest trader of precious metals in the world. With their Covid-19 restrictions lifting, and their economy slowly reopening, the demand for gold and silver continues to rise.

We Have Silver and Gold in Stock

If you are an investor that is looking for gold and silver items to buy or sell, come see us at CA Gold and Silver! We have both gold and silver coins, bars, and bullion in stock in all weights and karats. You can see what items we have available here, or call us today for pricing.

(Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.)

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We Exchange Crown Gold

We Exchange Crown Gold

You may have heard the term “crown gold” before. But what is crown gold, and how is it different from other types of gold? If you aren’t already investing in crown gold, now is a great time to get started in investing in precious metals. At CA Gold and Silver, we exchange crown gold. Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.

What is Crown Gold?

Despite its name, crown gold does not refer to the gold used in creating crowns for your teeth. Crown gold is the purest form of gold that you can buy on the market today. The term crown gold refers to a 22-karat gold alloy. The name was introduced in 1526 in England under Henry VIII’s reign, referring to the gold that was used in the crown coin. It has a proportion of 22 parts out of 24 pure gold, and it is less prone to wear than 23-karat gold which tends to be softer.

What is the Best Type of Gold to Exchange?

Generally, gold bars are the most recommended route to take if you want to make the largest return on your investment. Gold bars tend to hold the most value, and they are the most versatile in weight. Because of this versatility, you have the most flexibility when it comes to how much you are willing to initially spend on your trade. It’s also a good idea to look for the highest purity of gold you can find since higher purities often are worth more.

What Kind of Crown Gold Do You Exchange?

We exchange crown gold in nearly every form. Commonly, we buy and sell gold coins, bullion, and bars. We can evaluate and buy gold jewelry even if it’s broken, and we also accept dental gold.

Common Gold Coins We Buy:

  • American Gold Eagle
  • American Gold Buffalo
  • South American Krugerrand
  • Canadian Maple Leaf
  • Mexican Gold Peso
  • Chinese Gold Panda
  • Austria Philharmonic
  • $20 Coins, Liberty Head and St. Gaudens Type
  • British Gold Sovereigns
  • Austria Hungary Gold Corona
  • Austrian Gold Ducat
  • Swiss Gold Franc
  • French Gold Franc

Learn More About Gold Items We Buy

What Gold Items We Sell

We sell many different types of gold coins, bars, and bullion. Our stock is frequently updated, and can be found here.

Ready to Start Investing?

Contact us to start buying and selling gold.

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Why Are Economists Predicting a Market Crash?

With the Silicon Valley Bank crashing, and others like it predicted to follow, some economists are predicting a market crash in the near future. But what other factors are leading to this crash? And how can you protect your assets? There are several things that may be the root cause of the impending crash, and an easy way to protect yourself is to start investing in gold, silver, and bitcoin as soon as you can.

Factors Leading to the Crash

Why are economists predicting a market crash?

Banks Crashes

In March, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank crashed causing the second and third-largest bank failures in U.S. history. This not only led to the loss of thousands of jobs, but companies with similar banks had to scramble to secure their funds in fear that their bank would also fail. The failure of these banks is leading to a large disruption in the economy since so many businesses relied on SVB for essential financial services such as lending, cash management, and investments.

Inflation

With the price of nearly everything in the U.S. on the rise, we will begin to see many negative consequences very soon if inflation isn’t controlled. According to USNews.com, “While year-over-year inflation did slide in October, if inflation rebounds or if the Federal Reserve is forced to continue to aggressively raise interest rates to keep it in check, that could be a negative scenario for stock prices.” Although the Federal Reserve is “strongly committed” to reducing inflation to 2%, we may see a crash soon if they are not able to achieve this goal.

Interest Rates

A rise in interest rates means that companies have to borrow more money to invest in their growth. Many economists are predicting that the rates are going to continue to rise during 2023 if inflation doesn’t slow down soon. This same problem is occurring in the housing market as well with interest rates on housing also expected to continue to rise.

Geopolitical Events

We are still seeing the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This event has caused stress on economies all around the world and caused a massive wild card for investors. We’re also seeing supply chains at risk in China and Taiwan as tensions between the two countries remain high. However, the political events on our home turf are also causing strife in the economy. With the left and right more divided than ever, members of the House and Senate continue to cause problems for American citizens.

Supply Chain Disruptions

Because of events in Ukraine, Russia, and China, we are seeing a major disruption of the U.S. supply chain in these countries. This is part of the problem with our rising inflation rates as well. With nearly everything in shortage, the supply and demand of the economy is deeply disrupted and leading to a potential crash.

How to Protect Yourself in the Event of a Crash

 

Invest in Gold

MarketWatch.com says that “Gold futures settled Monday at their highest in about 11 months, after briefly topping the $2,000-an-ounce mark for the first time in over year, as the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS stoked fears about more banking-sector fallout.” Despite the concerns over the economy, gold still remains to be a stable investment.

 

Invest in Silver

Like gold, investing in silver also works as a great hedge against inflation. Although it isn’t as valuable as gold, it’s still an excellent investment in times of economic uncertainty. Since silver is one of the most common metals used in jewelry, you may even already have items at home that have some value to them.

Invest in Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a super secure investment with low transaction fees and tons of potential. Bitcoin not only has unlimited growth potential, but it also carries long-term value. However, that’s not saying that Bitcoin doesn’t also come with some risks. If you are new to Bitcoin, make sure to do lots of research before you invest.

 

Ready to Start Investing In Silver or Gold? We Buy and Sell!

If you’re ready to start securing your assets, come to our location in Upland, California and we can help you start your gold or silver investing journey. Contact us today if you have questions.

(Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.)

 

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Why You Should Never Clean Your Coins Before Selling Them

Picture this… you find old coins in a box as you’re cleaning out the house of a relative that’s recently passed away. You look up the coins online to see what they’re worth and get excited to see they could fetch you around $300 each. However, you also notice the coins are a bit dirty from sitting in that box for years, so you decide to give them a nice clean and polish them. You go to a shop to sell them, and the shopkeep tells you that they can’t even buy them for a tenth of what they are worth.

Coins can actually lose a lot of value when you clean them. This is why we never recommend that you clean your coins before you sell them.

Why Do Cleaned Coins Lose Value?

Cleaned coins lose value because most cleaning products are abrasive, you can easily damage the coins, and even non-abrasive cleaners can react poorly with other metals in the coins. When you clean your coins, you can also damage the design of the coin itself if you apply too much pressure while scrubbing, or if you scrub for too long. A coin’s design can be one of its most valuable assets, especially when the design is unique, rare, or no-longer in print. It’s one of the most important factors when buyers grade the coin. The coin can also become damaged during the drying process if the cloth you use to dry it is too rough. This causes scratches and blemishes that further decrease the value.  When it comes to bullion coins, even your newer coins hold their value in their precious metal content, not their cleanliness.

clean your coins

What is Patina?

A coin’s patina is the layer of toning that a coin naturally develops over time. Patina development is how the metal in the coin naturally protects itself from the environment. Another important reason not to clean your coins is because a coin’s patina can help determine how much it is worth.

Silver Coins

Silver coins will turn from a light grey to a darker brownish grey with even darker browns in the recessed areas of the coin.

Gold Coins

Gold turns to a softer or warmer yellow over time since it is the least reactive of the metals. It may be harder to determine the patina on gold because of this. If your gold coins have a brown or dark-looking patina on them, it may mean that your coin was not made from solid gold, but was mixed with other metals.

Ready to Sell Some Dirty Coins?

If you have some coins you are looking to sell, you can contact us or come into our shop located in Upland, CA. Although we don’t require appointments, we definitely recommend them to make sure you can be serviced.

(Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.)

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How to Test If Your Gold Is Real at Home

How to Test Your Gold at Home

If you have some gold to sell, you may first need to verify that your gold is actually worth something. While regular gold investors may already own equipment for testing, the average person will probably need to try other options. You may be wondering how to test if your gold is real without the use of fancy equipment. Luckily, you can test your gold for authenticity right at home with things you probably already have laying around!

Home Tests to See if Your Gold is Real

We always recommend getting your gold tested by a professional. However, if you want to make sure the trip to the gold buyer will be worth it, you can do these preliminary tests to check for authenticity. Use these tests with caution. Some of these may cause damage to your items if you aren’t careful.

Gold Hallmarks and Letter Marks

The easiest way to test your gold for authenticity is to check for markings and stamps on the gold. Authentic pieces are usually stamped with letters, numbers, or other markings that give basic information about the gold piece. There is usually a hallmark that will indicate what kind of gold you have. You can find these by looking for 10k for 10 karat, 14k for 14 karat, etc. There may also be letters that indicate if your gold is filled plated, or electroplate. GF means gold filled, GP means gold plated, and GEP means gold electroplate. However, even if your gold plating is real, it doesn’t always mean that there is enough gold to be considered true gold.


Test if Your Gold is Real With Vinegar

You can test to see if your gold is real by putting a little bit of vinegar onto it. Put your piece of gold on a flat surface or hold it in your hand. Carefully pour some vinegar onto the gold, or use a dropper to put a few drops onto it.  If the gold changes color, then it is not pure gold. However, if the gold remains the same, or stays shining, then the gold is real. You can also put some vinegar into a glass and let the gold soak in the glass for 5-8 minutes. If the gold changes color (even slightly) after rinsing it, then it is not real gold.

The Makeup Test

You can test to find out if gold is real or not with just a little bit of liquid foundation. Although this method isn’t 100% reliable, it’s an easy way to test in a pinch. Take a small amount of liquid foundation and blend it into your hand. Set with powder, and after it’s dried down, rub your gold on the area. If the area turns black, it’s more than likely real gold. However, if you rub gold on clean, dry skin that’s free from lotions, makeup, and oils, there should be no residue left from the gold after rubbing. If a black or greenish mark appears on clean skin, it may not be real. Test your gold on both clean, dry skin and skin with the liquid foundation to see if there is any difference.

Real Gold Won’t Stick to a Magnet

Another very simple test you can do is to use a strong magnet against your gold. Real gold is not magnetic, and therefore, should not stick.

Ready to sell? Contact us today!

Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.

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Which Items We Buy Put the Most Money in Your Pocket?

items we buy

If you are just getting started in investing in precious metals, you may be wondering which items we buy put the most money back in your pocket. While the market is always changing, there are items that guarantee to get some money in your pocket every time. Some of these things you may even have laying around your house waiting for you to cash them in.

Items We Buy

We buy gold, silver, platinum, coins, bullion, and diamonds. However, our main focus, and what will give you the biggest return on investment is gold and silver. We buy items in all conditions and in nearly every form including jewelry, coins, flatware, dishware, dental gold, bullion, PCGS & NGC coins, bars, and more.

 

Items We Buy

What Items We Buy Gets You the Most Back

It may be surprising, but the items we buy that guarantee you get the most are items that you might already have at home. Jewelry, flatware, silverware, and other common household items are often worth some money if they’re made from real gold or silver. So, if you have some fancy silver dishes that your great-great aunt left you when she passed, you may want to get them appraised.

Another place you can often find these types of items for little to no cost to you is at estate sales and yard sales. Many times people just want to get rid of their things without either knowing or caring how much their items are worth.

What to Know Before You Sell

The most important thing to know before we buy your items is: DO NOT CLEAN OR POLISH YOUR ITEMS. Your items will actually decrease in value if you polish, buff, or clean them. Please leave items untouched. If they are dirty, antique, or broken, that is perfectly okay!

This article gives a good overview as to why you especially shouldn’t clean coins before having them appraised.

Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.

Items We Don’t Accept

We do not buy gold or silver plated items, and we also do not buy items that we cannot guarantee their authenticity.

 

Have some items you’re ready to sell? Contact Us today to get some cash in your pocket.

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How to Test the Worth of Your Silver and Gold

Test the Worth of Your Silver and Gold

Is that old silver dish your grandmother gave to you actually a hidden treasure? Did you stumble across a gold coin that you think might be worth something? It’s all a possibility! You can test the worth of those metals at home to see if they are actually a goldmine or not (pun intended). You can perform these tests before deciding to bring them to us to have them appraised.

How to Test the Worth of Silver at Home

Look for Authentication Hallmarks

Authentication hallmarks are a stamp on the metal from the manufacturer. These stamps give you information like the purity of the silver, the manufacturer, and the date the silver was manufactured. Common hallmarks are 925 (sterling silver), 900, or 800.

Magnet Test

Real gold and silver are not magnetic. You can use a magnet to see if it is drawn to your items. If your items stick to the magnet, they are not real silver or gold.

The Ice Worth Test

Real sterling silver will melt ice exceptionally fast. Even when silver is at room temperature, it has high thermal conductivity. Place the supposed silver on the ice (or vice versa), and set another piece of ice by itself as a control. If the piece with the silver melts much faster, it is probably real silver.

 

gold worth test

 

How to Test the Worth of Gold at Home

Acid Tests

You can buy home acid tests that consist of rubbing your gold on a test stone, and then dropping different acids on it. The acids come in correspondence with different gold karats. To test your gold, you drop the acid of the karat you think it is onto the gold. If it stays the same color, it is that karat. However, if it turns brown, it is a lower karat. If it disappears, it is not real gold.

Skey Tests

If you’d like a test that’s safer and still relatively cheap, you can also get a skey test from different online retailers. To perform this test, you place the gold on the testing plate, and touch the probing pen to the gold. Then, the device will instantly give you a reading of what karat your gold is! You can get a testing device on Amazon for $325.

Ready to Bring in Your Gold and Silver?

If you’ve already performed a test to see if your gold and silver are worth anything, or if you want to leave it to the experts, we are here and ready to help! Contact us today to have your precious metals appraised.

(Always talk to your CPA or Financial Advisor before making investments.)

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