Old Coins Value Chart: Identify Valuable Coins

There are many coins with Lincoln, Jefferson, and other prominent people, but what if one of the rattling coins in your pocket once changed the course of history and now can be sold for fabulous money?

History shows many examples when the tiniest things became the cause of important events. But what makes a specimen truly unique and valuable? What if its price and value are completely different things? How old does a coin have to be to be valuable? 

Today we would like to tell you more about the old coins and their value sums.

Are Old Coins Worth Anything?

As you can guess, the value of an ancient coin is determined by many factors, each of them has a direct impact on its value and attractiveness to collectors and investors. So, here you can look at the most basic price old coin values factors:

1. Rarity: it is defined by the number of surviving copies, or the limited mintage issued in a short period of time.

2.  Condition: it is assessed by the degree of wear and defects (scratches, scuffs, or corrosion). So, are old coins worth money? Those in excellent condition, even if they are not rare, can be considerably valuable rather than rare specimens with noticeable damage.

3.  Historical and cultural significance: those issued during periods of important historical events or associated with outstanding figures have a unique value. 

4.   Provenance and proven ownership history: examples found in significant archaeological excavations or owned by known holders can increase in value significantly. 

The U. S. Old Coins Worth Money List

Here we reached the most interesting questions “What are the most expensive US coins?” and “What is the old US coins value?” 

There are many antique and expensive specimens in the United States and around the world that have great historical value and are any collector's dream. 

Let's take a closer look at some of the specimens in the top 10 U.S. most valuable old coins value chart:

Note: Sale price old coins value chart sums are adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars for consistency.

1933 Double Eagle

This is the first one from the old coins value chart by year 1933. It was designed in the early 1930s but was never officially put into circulation as the U.S. government decided to abandon the gold standard. So all minted ones were withdrawn and melted down, however the few surviving examples have become legendary.

Characteristics: Weighs 33.4 grams and contains 31.1 grams of gold (pure gold, 24 karats); grade: 0.900 (90% gold, 10% copper used for strength). The obverse features an American eagle and the reverse shows Lady Liberty.

1794 Flowing Hair Dollar

The next one from the value of old coins chart is the 1794 Flowing Hair. It is the first dollar coin issued by the U.S. federal government, minted after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. It was made in 1794, and although it was issued for circulation, surviving specimens have become an object of great interest among collectors.

Characteristics: Weighs 26.96 grams and contains 24.2 grams of silver (pure silver); grade: 0.892 (89.2% silver, 10.8% copper for strength). The obverse shows the profile of a woman with long hair symbolizing freedom, and the reverse features an eagle standing on a shield.

We recommend you to talk with other collectors and discuss the average prices of others from the old coin values chart above. What if you have a very expensive one but have no idea about it? Try to visit New Jersey coin shows or other events for collectors to understand it. 

The World Old Coin Value List

Note: Sale prices are approximate and based on available data; actual values may vary depending on market conditions and the specific condition.

1343 Edward III Florin ("Double Leopard")

The Edward III Florin, nicknamed the "Double Leopard", is one of the rarest and most mysterious medieval pieces of England. Minted in 1343 during the reign of King Edward III, it was intended to align English coinage with the continental gold florins of Florence and other European states.

The obverse shows King Edward III seated on a throne between two leopards (heraldic lions) with a sword and scepter. The reverse features a royal cross within a quatrefoil, flanked by leopards.

• Material: Gold (.994 fine)

• Weight: Approx. 7 grams

• Diameter: ~28 mm

• Edge: Irregular medieval flan

What old coins are worth money? Only three known specimens exist today: two are housed in the British Museum, and one was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2006 and sold at auction.

723 Umayyad Gold Dinar

The Umayyad Gold Dinar of Hijri year 105 (723 AD) is an example of early Islamic gold old money value coins, issued during the reign of Caliph Yazid II of the Umayyad Caliphate. 

What makes this particular piece unique is its reference to a mine owned by the Caliph near Mecca, marked with the inscription "Ma'din Amir al-Mu'minin" (Mine of the Commander of the Faithful).

The obverse contains religious inscriptions in Kufic script, including the shahada ("There is no god but Allah alone...") and references to Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah. The reverse has Quranic phrases and the Islamic date and minting location.

• Material: Pure gold

• Weight: ~4.25 grams

• Diameter: ~20 mm

• Edge: Smooth

Only a handful of examples are known. It is also the first coin in Islamic history to mention a location related to mining. It reflects a decisive shift in Islamic monetary policy—moving away from Byzantine and Sassanian types and establishing a distinct Islamic identity through inscriptions alone, without portraits or imagery. 

Additional Things to Pay Attention To

Old valuable coins should only be looked for at proven reputable auctions (e.g. Sotheby's, Heritage Auctions, Christie's, etc.). These offer high quality pieces and often publish detailed reports on the condition of the specimens and their history, which can help in the buying process.

Keep in mind that fakes and fraud are unfortunately not uncommon in the world of numismatics. Thus, before buying expensive pieces, it is advisable to carefully check information and contact professional experts or rely on the advantages of technology, e.g., on an old coin value checker app, to be sure of authenticity and avoid financial losses.

But how to value old coins? The good news is that the Coin ID Scanner app can be a real assistant, as it can identify coin by picture​ and help you evaluate them. Now you will be able to easily understand the characteristics and history of specimens, providing an extra level of confidence before making a significant investment.

Sources:

1. https://www.coinstudy.com/how much are old coins worth

2. https://www.bankrate.com/old coins that are worth money