How Much Are Those Coins Worth?
Certified Appraiser Visits Area BankBy Sharon Turano sturano@post-journal.com
Article Photos
Frewsburg resident Ben Whittaker, 13, was ready to cash in on a bag of collectable coins he brought to Cattaraugus County Bank's free professional coin appraisal day Thursday.
He visited Travis J. George, HCC Rare Coins numismatist, at the bank.
Whittaker said he began collecting quarters to put in quarter books that list dates and from what mint quarters originated.
He found he enjoyed looking over the coins.
He brought a Buffalo head nickel, some wheat pennies, coins from different countries and a silver penny to the appraisal, earning about $6 for his efforts. That's alright, he said, he planned to keep the coins any way.
"They're great pieces of history," said George. For instance, he said, Europe now uses the Euro, making the coins from European countries in Whittaker's collection historical.
He said appraisals are based on value, condition and how many of the type of coins he is appraising were made. He said about 95 percent of people bring in silver half-dollars, quarters and dimes. He said they have "intrinsic" value, as those coins are now made from copper or nickel composition.
"Every series has a key date," he said, adding half-dollars from 1916, 1921 and 1938 D are valuable.
"They didn't make as many," he said, adding some of those coins are valued from $25 to several hundred, and, yes, he has been able to see people come in with that rare valuable coin.
Those he has seen range from people with collections to others, who have found coins handed down from grandparents, who just want to know if the coins are worth anything. Lately, he said, he has seen a lot of gold and silver, as people hear they are worth a lot of money.
He said if people have old memorabilia that won't be seen again, it may be worth something. He encourages them to keep collectables as an inexpensive hobby that could be worth something. He used to be a collector himself, who now enjoys his job looking at what others have collected.
"It's something different daily," he said. During Thursday's CCB event there was a steady stream of people who visited. As of about noon, he hadn't yet found that rare valuable, but events continue.
Other CCB coin appraisal dates will be held Aug. 12 at the Franklinville CCB and Aug. 13 at South Dayton's branch. appointments are not necessary for the appraisals, which run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. all four days.
"Coin appraisal days have been very successful in the past at CCB. We were amazed at the turn-out," said Joni Simcick CCB vice president and marketing manager.
"We knew some of our customers were coin collectors but had no idea how many," she said.
"I invite the public to visit CCB with their old coin and currency for some refreshments and possible great news about the value of their belongings," she said.
HCC Inc., an Ohio-based company, appraises, sells, purchases and provides custodial services on rare and old coins, precious metals, modem proof sets, governmental commemorative issues and currency. Those with questions about their work, can call 800-422-4405.
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NYNana
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07-24-09 1:46 PM
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I would love to see this type of event in Jamestown. Maybe Jamestown Savings Bank would be interested in doing it.
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