coin expert | Nashua Coins and Collectibles

Six Fun Facts of the Indian Cent

American coins, American Eagle coins, coin dealers, coin expert, Indian cents, Nashua Coins, Nashua Coins & Collectibles September 14, 2018August 23, 2018American coins, Indian cents, Nashua Coins, Nashua Coins & Collectibles

One of the most popular pennies in existence would be the Indian Head Penny. Even people who don’t collect recognize the now iconic penny. James Longacre designed the Indian Head Penny. Because it premiered in the years leading up to the Civil War, this penny is viewed as an important part of the history of American coins. Though it was only struck from 1859 until 1909, the Indian Head Penny remains a favorite part of many coin collections. Here are six more fun facts about the Indian Head Penny!

1.

The Indian Cent evolved from the Large Penny. When the Large Penny was first minted, the public did approve. As the Mint reduced the size of the penny, the Flying Eagle Penny came to be. As design flaws affected the use of the Flying Eagle Penny, the Mint replaced it with the Indian Head Penny.

2.

Though most think the design is of an Indian Chief, the face was intended to be Lady Liberty adorned with an Indian headdress. When it comes to American coins, it’s hard to get more American than Lady Liberty and Native Americans.

3.

Due to their location on the timeline, Indian Head Pennies have different values. It was struck for fifty years, so multiple editions of this penny exist. The earlier versions from the years leading into the Civil War carry a higher value than newer editions. Of course, this is just a rule of thumb.

4.

The very first Indian Head Penny featured a laurel wreath on the opposite side. This edition of the penny was made of a copper-nickel composition. However, within a year, the laurel wreath was exchanged out for an oak wreath. When they made this change, they also added a small shield to the top of the penny.

5.

Most coins that enter circulation only last a few decades. Very rarely do circulated coins still exist 100 years later. This is what makes the Indian Head Penny so fascinating. Not only did it survive over 100 years, but certain editions remain in abundance. Naturally, the abundant versions are not as valuable as the more rare editions.

6.

The Indian Head Penny faced a lot of changes in 1864. The first significant change was the composition. This is the year the United States Mint chose to use bronze in penny production instead of copper and nickel. This year also saw the addition of a small L to the bottom of the headdress in honor of James Longacre.

American coins have such a rich history that too many people are unaware of. For example, the 1908 and 1909 Indian Head Pennies are the only editions with the mint marks printed on them. You never know what facts follow around the coins in your pocket. For those interested in numismatics, contact Nashua Coins & Collectibles today or visit them online!

Tips for the Coin Show Circuit

coin expert, coin store, Nashua Coins, Nashua Coins & Collectibles, rare coin auctions, rare coins August 23, 2018American coins, Nashua Coins & Collectibles, rare coin auctions, rare coins

All coin collectors one day hope to make it to a coin show. Whether it’s a small scale show for the day or a weekend event with a couple of hundred vendors, it’s exciting. Not only do you get to meet people who share your passion, but you get to see rare coins you never knew existed. When it comes to your first coin show, it can get overwhelming. Here are some tips and tricks for making the most of the coin show circuit!

Know Your Money

This doesn’t just apply to knowing your coin collection. You should always keep your budget in mind. This means know how much you’d be willing to spend to grow your collection and how much you’re going to ask for if you are selling. Always be sure to have cash on you. While some vendors may be credit and debit accessible, many will not be.

Keep It Comfortable

Of course, you want to dress respectably to show you know what you’re talking about. You should. Still, keep in mind that it’s going to be a long day. You’re going to spend most of that time on your feet. Make sure that your clothes are neat but comfortable. Your shoes should give you enough support to make it through the day.

Know the Floor

Knowing the floor starts before you even get to the coin show. Prepare yourself by finding out which vendors and coins are going to be there. This may not be necessary for smaller coin shows, but at larger coin shows you won’t have time to see everything. Know what you want to look at! Once there, find where those coins and vendors are located so you can work smarter and not harder. If you prepare accordingly, you may even have spare time to visit vendors you didn’t expect!

Bring Your Tools

You would never purchase a coin without inspecting it first. You should go one step further and bring your own tools so you know the quality of the inspection. Of course, vendors wouldn’t intentionally try to scam anybody. Still, if their tools get used and dirty throughout the day, using your own is a definite way to give a thorough inspection. This comes in handy with rare coins.

The coin show circuit is here to bring numismatic enthusiasts together to display and sell their goods. The larger the coin show, the more overwhelming it can get. If you follow these tips and tricks, you’ll be a pro. You can see rare coins to your heart’s delight and maybe make some connections. For more on American and rare coins, contact Nashua Coins and Collectibles today or visit them online!

Their Expertise in Coins and Care

American coins, American Eagle coins, appraise coins, coin expert, coin store, Nashua Coins, Nashua Coins & Collectibles, Nashua Coins and Collectibles, old coins August 14, 2018August 23, 2018American coins, American Eagle coins, coin dealers, Nashua Coins & Collectibles

Numismatics is the study or collection of money in different forms. From coins to paper currency to medals, there are so many different kinds of money in the world. Something people tend to overlook is that money gains value over time. A lucky penny may be worth more than a cent if you keep it long enough. Nashua Coins & Collectibles understands this and helps collectors and sellers know the value of their coin and money collections. With a specialty in American coins, here’s what makes Nashua Coins experts in their field!

Their Specialty

Gary Galbo founded Nashua Coins as a full-service coin dealer nearly forty years ago. He started with a focus in Small Cents rare coins due to his love for Lincoln and Indian cent series. The Lincoln cent first popped up in 1909. Victor David Brenner designed the Lincoln penny for the United States Mint, and it has since seen various reverse sides. The Indian cent, on the other hand, dates back to before the Civil War and has remained a favorite collection item ever since. Nashua Coins know their schtick when it comes to American coins.

National Coin Show

Gary has worked the national show circuit many a time before. Between 1996 and 2004, that was his primary focus. His experience there has made Nashua Coins & Collectibles even better at knowing the best route to go with your collection. Whether you’re looking to expand your collection or sell for a profit, Gary and his staff can help you take those steps. They can give you an appraisal and show you the ropes of the coin show circuit.

Networking

The staff of Nashua Coins is well connected. Gary alone is a lifetime member of the American Numismatic Association. On top of this, Gary stays involved with Central States Numismatic Society, Florida United Numismatics, and the New England Numismatic Association. For Nashua locals, consider joining the Nashua Coin Club of which Gary is the president!

Coins have a varied and fascinating history. You never know when that quarter you found on your Grandma’s nightstand will be worth a fortune. For any questions on American coins, coin collections, or auctions, talk to Nashua Coins & Collectibles. Contact them today or visit them online!

How Long Will It Take?

American coins, antique collection, appraise coins, certified coins, coin dealers, coin expert, coin store, coins appraisal, mint products, Nashua Coins and Collectibles, rare coins, silver dollars July 19, 2017July 19, 2017American coins, antique collection, appraise coins, certified coins, coin dealers, coin expert, coin store, coins appraisal, mint products, Nashua Coins and Collectibles, rare coins, silver dollars

For those who are new to the world of coins and antiques, you may not quite understand what our shop does. We buy coins based on the rates that are on the market, then sell them. These are flexible and change every 15 minutes, so we stay up to date with these prices constantly. That isa central part of how we appraise coins. Our shop owner, Gary, looks at a coin and finds out what he can price it at in an instant. He knows coins that well. However, when it comes to the antiques, that takes a bit longer than we plan.

Now, we try to get a quote for you as soon as possible. However, some things require a lot of digging compared to others. During coin appraisals, we look for mint marks, grade, and year of the coin. A keen eye comes with research and experience. However, with, say, jewelry or pieces of art, it takes a while to find out more information about the item. The process takes anywhere from 15 minutes to however long it takes to appraise coins. It depends on how rare the piece is and its condition.

Pieces with mint marks are simpler to figure out. A mint mark on the coin explains how many got made, the amount in circulation, and many other things determining price factors. We don’t guess. So, it’s important that we consider everything when we appraise coins before we tell you a price. Also, if you are away from us, feel free to send us email pictures just in case. That way, we have time to research. Plus, you do not need to part with your pieces.

For the collectibles items that take time, it’s up to you how you are going to handle the situation. If it is going to take a while, take the object home with you. That way, we call on you to bring the object back if you approve of the price that we offer. The other option that you have is to leave it with us. The object gets locked up safe while we do our research. Our research occurs on a mix of Google links and databases to ensure that we have all the information we need. It takes some time, so it is important that we make sure all of our ducks are in a row.

Remember that getting a price from us on something that you wish to sell takes some time. We try to be quick, but it depends on the piece. If you have a rare piece, prepare to wait. The good thing is that there are plenty of places near our shop to grab a bite to eat. Or, find some fun distractions just by looking around the store. No matter what, keep in mind that appraisals aren’t always simple. A thorough research process trumps getting things done fast!