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Coins & Currency
US and world coins, raw and certified, plus paper money and sets. The single most useful thing you can do: leave them exactly as they are.
Please don't clean coins or notes. Cleaning, polishing or dipping causes permanent damage and is one of the most common ways coins lose collector interest.
01 · Identification clues
- Country, denomination and date come first.
- Mint marks: small letters or symbols, usually near the date or on the reverse.
- Banknotes: series year, serial number, signatures and seal colors.
- Certified pieces: the holder label with company, grade and certification number.
- Sets: original mint or government packaging.
02 · Information worth recording
- Country, denomination, date and any visible mint mark on key pieces.
- Whether items are loose or in folders, albums, rolls, sets or holders.
- Approximate counts and totals by type for large groups.
- Visible damage: scratches, holes, bends, tears, tape, stains.
- Anything unusual, described plainly without assuming it's an error or rare.
03 · Useful photo views
- Obverse (front), straight on.
- Reverse (back), straight on.
- The holder label, readable.
- Albums or folders open, to show completeness and scale.
04 · Paperwork to gather
Certification records or submission invoices, mint or government packaging and certificates for sets, your own inventory lists, and receipts or dealer invoices. None of it is required to start.
05 · Careful handling
- Hold coins by the edges, over a soft surface.
- Leave pieces in their holders, flips, albums or sleeves.
- Don't unfold, flatten or repair notes, or remove tape.
- Store away from damp, heat and soft PVC plastics where possible.
06 · What photos can't show
- Grade or authenticity.
- Metal purity. Precious-metal content needs testing; weight and appearance are only hints.
- Errors and varieties. These need physical examination.
07 · Common questions
Can I clean dirty coins before photographing them?
No. Photograph them as they are.
Do you look at bullion coins and bars?
You can describe them in an inquiry, but metal content and purity can't be confirmed from photos.
What should I note for a coin I think is an error?
Describe what looks different and photograph both sides clearly. Don't call it an error until someone has examined it.
Tell us about your coins
Category is pre-selected for you. A short description is enough.
Start an inquiry