FAQs About Derzon Coins
What does Derzon Coins sell?
We have a large selection of collectible U.S. coins and paper money—from common wheat cents to very rare items. We offer foreign and ancient coins as well. If you are searching for a rare or special coin, let us find it for you. Books and other supplies for coin collectors are also available at our store.
Do you sell the statehood quarters?
We stock all the statehood quarters in uncirculated condition. We also have many different holders for them, including folders, maps and albums.
Do you have coins that I could give as a gift?
Yes, we handle a number of items that are popular as gifts, including Silver Eagle Dollars in gift boxes, and Proof Sets for current and past years. We also carry birth year coins available in special gift holders.
Will you come to my location to appraise my collection?
Appointments are available for meeting in your home or at your bank. Please call, fax or e-mail Derzon Coins to set up an appointment.
Why should I sell to Derzon Coins?
We are able to pay very competitive prices because of the large volume of retail and wholesale business we do. But we’re more than great pricing. At Derzon Coins, you’ll find a knowledgeable staff that you can trust. Many of our clients have remained with us over the years because of our integrity and the personalized service we provide. We at Derzon Coins believe that no collection is too small or too large for us to handle. Whether you have a collection, inheritance, estate or any other quantity of coins for sale, we will use our resources to your benefit.
Do you buy and sell stamps, baseball cards or other collectibles?
Our specialty includes coins, gold and silver items, stamps, and jewelry. If we are unable to help you, we have numerous contacts who buy and sell other items, and we’re happy to put you in contact with them.
Would I make more money selling my coins online?
In our opinion: no. Derzon Coins pays very competitive prices. Plus, we make it easy for you. If you sell at an online auction, you have a lot of work ahead of you: you have to know exactly what you have, how to group your collection and how to list them accurately so you get the best price. You also have to pay the listing fees, commissions, postage and then handle shipping and receiving your payment. Online auctions have their place—for example, very unique pieces do well—but as a standard course of business, we recommend against it.
What gold and silver do you buy?
Derzon Coins buys the following:
- Almost all gold, silver, and platinum.
- Old coin silver, and bullion silver and gold.
- Gold, silver and platinum eagles, maple leafs, k-rands, and other bullion coins.
- Silver bars, sterling silver coin and bar sets, and sterling flatware. We do not buy flatware that is simply plated in silver. If you are not sure of what you have, please contact us.
- Gold and platinum jewelry, dental gold and diamonds.
Do you buy foreign coins and paper money?
Yes, we buy all types of foreign coins and paper money; however, many are common and therefore not valuable. Derzon Coins has many contacts in the market for foreign, ancient and medieval coins so, if you have an unusual item, we can likely pay top price for it.
General FAQs about Coins
Can I make money with a coin collection?
Time has proven that collectors tend to make the most money in rare coins when they search out undervalued coins and buy during market lulls. Buying in today's market climate offers you excellent profit potential.
How do you go about appraising a coin?
First, we identify the coin: its age, date and type. The next step is determining the coin’s condition, which is also called its grade or state of preservation. Most collectors prefer their coins to be in mint condition or as close as possible. Once we identify the coin and ascertain its grade, we can determine the value. Supply and demand dictates the price at which a coin is likely to sell.
What are the PCGS and NGC?
The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are two firms that have established a uniform coin-grading standard that has gained almost universal acceptance.
Are the coins advertised on TV or in the newspaper a good deal?
The coins advertised using these high-profile and expensive media seem to be informative and well-packaged. If you research these items, you will find that the advertised sources charge two to three times as much as your local dealer would charge. While this is not always the case, it pays for you to shop around.
How old do coins have to be to be worth more than their face value?
It truly depends on the coin. Derzon Coins is interested in purchasing the following coins. Please give us a call if you have these among your collection and would like to discuss a sale:
- Dollars: 1935 and older
- Half dollars: 1969 and older
- Quarters and Dimes: 1964 and older
- Nickels: 1945 and older (some)
- Cents: 1958 and older
How much are wheat pennies worth?
Wheat cents were minted from 1909 to 1958. Most are very common and are worth about 2 cents each. The teen years have some rare dates to look for. If your wheaties are in coin folders, or you have the early years separated, Derzon Coins can evaluate whether you have coins for which we can pay more.
Is my steel penny worth something?
In 1943, the government needed copper for the war and so they made cents out of steel. More than one billion steel pennies were minted and many were saved because they appeared different. Therefore, they are only worth about 2 cents per penny today.
What are silver dollars worth?
It depends on coin’s condition, date, mintmark, and what silver is going for in the current market. Most silver dollars from 1878 to 1935 range somewhere between $8 and $25 each.
Are Bicentennial (1776-1976) coins worth anything?
To celebrate the Bicentennial, the government made special quarters, half dollars and Ike dollars. Because so many were minted, each coin is presently worth only face value.
What is a Silver Certificate or other old paper money worth?
Most paper money from 1928 forward does not have much of a premium. Many notes were produced and, unlike coins, the date on the bills was not changed often, e.g., a silver certificate could be dated 1935 but actually have been printed in 1956. While most notes are not worth much—most silver certificates and red seal $2 bills are worth about 25 cents above face value—there are some worth more. Let Derzon Coins evaluate your collection to appraise its worth.
How should I clean my dirty coins?
We recommend that you do not clean your coins. In general, cleaning coins hurts the value of the coins. Although there are a couple of safe ways to clean certain ones, it is far better to have dirty coins than to risk damaging them. Bring them to Derzon Coins and we’ll look at them for you or leave them as is.
Are coins a risky venture?
All investments involve risk, and coins, currency and bullion are no exception. The rare coin and currency markets are speculative and volatile, and prices for these items may rise or fall over time. Derzon Coins does not guarantee that any client buying for investment purposes will be able to sell for a profit in the future. As with any investment opportunity, you should contact your financial advisor and tax accountant before making any decisions about your portfolio.