Did You
Know?
Quick Facts: Selling Your Coins
Purchase:
U.S. gold/silver coins
• 90% silver
• Certified coins
• Complete collections
• Key dates
Pricing:
Live auction data +
current spot prices
(not outdated guidebooks)
Payment:
Same-day check or cash
Appraisal:
Free, no obligation
Time:
30-60 minutes for most collections
Schedule Free Appraisal or call
(937) 376-2807
Why Sell Your Coins to Xenia Coin Shop
Transparent Process, Honest Pricing
We show you exactly how we determine value. We consider precious metal content, numismatic premiums, rarity, condition, and more. You'll see the research, understand the numbers, and know you're getting a fair deal.
It Pays More to Know More
Most dealers rely on outdated price guides or quick melt-value calculations. We don't. Every offer is based on live auction results from Heritage, Stacks, and eBay, as well as Greysheet pricing data. That means you're getting what your coins are actually selling for today, not what a book from three years ago says they might be worth.
Expertise You Can Trust
Our team stays current on market trends, auction results, and grading standards. We catch details other buyers miss—key dates, varieties, and grading nuances that can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in value.
No Pressure, Ever
Get your free appraisal, hear our offer, and take your time deciding. We're here to educate, not push. Many customers come back weeks or months later when they're ready.
Immediate Payment
At Xenia Coin Shop, there's no need to wait on a payout. If you accept our offer, you'll walk out with cash or a check the same day.
Proud ANA Member
We've built our reputation on fair dealing and honest pricing. Xenia Coin Shop is a name you can trust in Southwest Ohio. For 40+ years, we have been the local authority on coins.
How We Determine Value
Most dealers use outdated price guides or vague "book values." We don't.
We reference live auction results from Heritage, Stacks, and eBay. We check PCGS and NGC price guides updated with real transactions. We track current collector demand for specific series, dates, and grades.
That means you're getting an offer based on what your coins are actually selling for today—not what someone thinks they might be worth.
What We Buy
Pre-1933 U.S. gold, Morgans, Peace dollars, Walking Liberty halves, and Indian Heads.
Organized or not, we'll sort through it with you.Even if you don't know what you have, we do. And we'll explain it in plain English.
Dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965.
PCGS and NGC graded slabbed coins.
1909-S VDB cents, 1916-D Mercury dimes, and Carson City Morgans.
What Makes Coins Valuable?
Not all old coins are worth a fortune. But some are worth far more than you'd expect. Here's what we look for:
Silver or Gold Content
Even worn coins minted before 1965 contain 90% silver. They're worth several times face value based on silver content alone. Better-condition or key-date examples bring in even more.
Rarity
Low-mintage coins and scarce varieties command premiums. A 1916-D Mercury Dime or 1893-S Morgan Dollar can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on condition.
Grade and Condition
Higher-grade coins—those with minimal wear and strong details—are significantly more valuable than heavily circulated examples. Professional grading from PCGS or NGC adds credibility and often increases value.
Collector Demand
Popular series like Morgan Dollars, Indian Head Cents, and Walking Liberty Half Dollars have active collector markets, which drives prices higher for desirable dates and grades.
Examples of Valuable Coins We Buy
People are often surprised by what's valuable. That worn penny from your grandfather's collection? It might be worth $500. Here are some examples:
- Indian Head Cents (1859-1909): 1877 can bring $200-$1,000+. The 1908-S and 1909-S often sell for $50-$300+.
- Wheat Cents (1909-1958): The 1909-S VDB is worth $500-$2,000+. A 1914-D brings $100-$1,500+. The 1922 "No D" variety? $300-$5,000+. And the famous 1955 Doubled Die sells for $1,000-$2,500+.
- Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938): The 1937-D "3-Legged" variety is worth $300-$1,500+.
- Mercury Dimes (1916-1945): The 1916-D is a key date worth $200-$1,000+. Even the 1942/1 overdate brings $200-$500+.
- Washington Quarters (1932-1964): The 1932-D and 1932-S are both worth $40-$200+.
- Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947): Early dates like 1916-D bring $15-$200+. The 1921 issues can sell for $50-$500+.
- Morgan Dollars (1878-1921): All Carson City mintmarks bring $100-$1,000+. The 1893-S run anywhere from $500 to $5,000—and beyond. Better dates in higher grades command significant premiums.
- Peace Dollars (1921-1935): The 1921 first-year issue brings $50-$300+. The low-mintage 1928 sells for $150-$500+.
Bring in your coins and we'll identify key dates, varieties, and grade-sensitive pieces that may be worth far more than you expect.
90% Silver Coins
Dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted in 1964 and earlier contain 90% silver. These are sometimes called "junk silver" but there's nothing junk about their value.
Even worn examples are worth several times face value based on silver content alone. Higher-grade or key-date examples can bring significant premiums.
We buy Roosevelt Dimes (1946-1964), Mercury Dimes (1916-1945), Washington Quarters (1932-1964), Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947), Franklin Half Dollars (1948-1963), and Kennedy Half Dollars (1964 only, 90% silver).
Ask a Coin Dealer
What Is a Legal Tender Coin?
A coin is legal tender if the unit of currency appearing on the coin is legally accepted for commerce within the issuing country. All United States-issued coins are legal tender within the United States. Technically, you can still go to a store and spend a Morgan silver dollar, as it is worth precisely one dollar of legal tender currency despite not being minted for circulation for over 100 years. The United States has never "demonetized" any of its coins.
However, we STRONGLY recommend you DO NOT spend silver dollars at a store. They are worth A LOT more than a dollar.
Many older foreign coins have been demonetized within their respective countries because their accepted legal tender currency has changed over time.
France's Franc and Germany's Mark, for instance, are no longer legal tender as they were replaced by the Euro in 2002.
What is a proof coin?
Proof coins are special coins explicitly produced for collectors, unlike circulating coins produced for general commerce. They are characterized by frosted elements set on mirror-like backgrounds, or fields, that give the coins a high contrast appearance. Proof coins represent the highest-quality examples of a particular coin's design. They are typically produced in much lower mintages than their general circulation counterparts and, therefore, are typically worth more than their face value.
What is a mint mark?
Mints often include a small letter or symbol on their coins to indicate which particular mint the coin was produced at. The U.S. Mint, for instance, uses a small letter P, D, S, or W on its coins to indicate whether the coin was produced at its Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, or West Point mint facility.
Will cleaning a coin make it appear more valuable?
Absolutely not. In fact, cleaning, scrubbing, or polishing a coin lowers or even eliminates a coin's collector value.
Coin Grading Facts
How are coins graded?
A numismatist or professional coin grader examines the condition of a coin, looking at characteristics such as luster, coloration, strike, and surface preservation, and will assign a grade based on a scale from 1-70. A grade of 70 is considered the highest quality possible. As the quantity and severity of imperfections observed increase, the grade number is reduced.
The number grade determines which broad grading category a coin falls within:
Mint State
- Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
- Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)
- Choice Uncirculated (MS-63)
- Uncirculated (MS-60)
Other Grades
- Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55)
- About Uncirculated (AU-50)
- Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45)
- Extremely Fine (EF-40)
- Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
- Very Fine (VF-20)
- Fine (F-12)
- Very Good (VG-8)
- Good (G-4)
- About Good (AG-3)
Number grades below AG-3 would be considered either Fair or Poor. A coin's grade is undoubtedly a factor in determining its value, but it is not the sole factor.
Inherited a Coin Collection?
Many of our clients come to us after inheriting a parent's or grandparent's collection. It can feel overwhelming—especially if you don't know coins and aren't sure what you have.
You're not alone. We've walked hundreds of families through this exact situation.
We'll sit down with you, go through the collection piece by piece, and explain what's valuable and why. No jargon, no pressure—just straightforward guidance so you can make informed decisions about what to keep, what to sell, and what it's all worth.
Whether you inherited a shoebox of coins or a lifetime collection of albums, we'll treat it with respect and give you the clarity you need.
Serving Coin Sellers Throughout Southwest Ohio
Xenia Coin Shop serves sellers throughout Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Beavercreek, Springfield, Kettering, Wilmington, and the entire Miami Valley. Visit our Xenia location or call for a free appraisal.