Generally, values for low-grade, common-date Barber quarters closely follow silver bullion values, and many pieces can be had for under $10 to $20. There are, however, several dates that are quite scarce and pose the date-and-mintmark collector a serious challenge. These more-expensive Barber silver quarters are not only heavier on the pocketbook, but highly scarce and sometimes very hard to find in problem-free condition.

Even several decades ago, coin collectors were already aware of how rare some Barber quarters truly are, and due to high demand for these scarce dates, values for these scarce Barber quarters have been almost always relatively high. To help illustrate this point further, you can see below historic values for Barber quarters as recorded in the 1965, 1985, and 2005 editions of A Guide Book of United States Coins, by R.S. Yeoman.

The values below are for Barber quarters in a grade of “Good” and are based on coins in typical condition for their grade.

1892-S $9.00 (1965) $15.00 (1985) $20.00 (2005)
1896-S $85.00 (1965) $235.00 (1985) $500.00 (2005)
1899-S $5.50 (1965) $7.50 (1985) $12.00 (2005)
1901-O $8.00 (1965) $10.00 (1985) $30.00 (2005)
1901-S $220.00 (1965) $1,000 (1985) $4,000 (2005)
1909-O $10.00 (1965) $9.00 (1985) $15.00 (2005)
1913-S $95.00 (1965) $300.00 (1985) $750.00 (2005)
1914-S $3.50 (1965) $13.00 (1985) $60.00 (2005)

As you can see, there are a few dates that have increased exponentially in values (such as the 1901-S), whereas others (like the 1909-O) have not even kept pace with inflation. This helps illustrate the idea that buying coins solely for the sake of investment is not necessarily wise, and that coin collecting should be done primarily for the enjoyment of the hobby, with any profits being made as the result of selling your coins icing on the cake.

Typically, common, low-grade Barber dimes are worth slightly more than prevailing silver values. Those in better-preserved states are worth anywhere from $10 to $50, with uncirculated pieces fetching $150 or higher. And, while many dates in the Barber dime series are relatively common, there are plenty of more expensive, scarcer pieces that make collecting the entire series challenging, even for those who aren’t on shoestring budgets.

Below is  a run-down of historic values for the scarcest Barber dimes; you can see how over the last 50 years, most Barber dime values have climbed dramatically, which helps illustrate both the swelling demand for the series, growing appreciation of Barber dimes, and small supply of many dates. These Barber dime values are from the 1965, 1985, and 2005 editions of A Guide Book of United States Coins, by R.S. Yeoman.

1892-O $1.75 (1965) $4.50 (1985) $7 (2005)
1892-S $16 (1965) $23 (1985) $50 (2005)
1893-O $4 (1965) $12 (1985) $25 (2005)
1893-S $4 (1965) $6 (1985) $9 (2005)
1894-O $30 (1965) $32 (1985) $50 (2005)
1894-S $13,000 (1961 auction price); $145,000 (1980 auction price (1980) $850,000
1895 $20 (1965) $55 (1985) $65 (2005)
1895-O $45 (1965) $150 (1985) $300 (2005)
1896-O $17.50 (1965) $42.50 (1985) $65 (2005)
1896-S $25 (1965) $35 (1985) $65 (2005)
1897-O $17.50 (1965) $35 (1985) $55 (2005)
1897-S $17.50 (1965) $7 (1985) $12 (2005)
1898-O $3.25 (1965) $3.25 (1985) $8 (2005)
1898-S $3 (1965) $3.25 (1985) $6 (2005)
1899-O $3 (1965) $3.25 (1985) $6 (2005)
1899-S $2.75 (1965) $3.25 (1985) $6 (2005)
1900-O $2.75 (1965) $4.50 (1985) $15 (2005)
1900-S $2 (1965) $2 (1985) $4 (2005)
1901-S $17.50 (1965) $32.50 (1985) $70 (2005)
1902-S $3 (1965) $3 (1985) $5 (2005)
1903-S $7.50 (1965) $25 (1985) $60 (2005)
1904-S $7 (1965) $18 (1985) $35 (2005)
1913-S $5.50 (1965) $6.50 (1985) $15 (2005)

*All values are for coins in “Good” grade unless otherwise noted.

Over the years, the Jefferson nickel has undergone a few modifications. The first occurred in 1942, when the United States mint replaced the 75 percent copper and 25 percent nickel composition with a copper-silver-manganese alloy, allowing the nickel formerly in the coin to be used for World War II artillery production. So-called “Wartime” nickels were produced with the 56 percent copper, 35 percent silver, 9 percent manganese alloy through 1945. One way to tell Wartime silver nickels from regular Jefferson nickels is the placement of a huge mintmark over the dome of Monticello on the reverse of the coin. In fact, the “P” mintmark on 1942-1945 Wartime nickels was the first time the Philadelphia mint had ever used a mintmark on coins. This wouldn’t happen again until the production of Susan B. Anthony dollars would begin in 1979.

In 1966, the initials Schlag’s initials, “FS” were first placed on the obverse of the coin, just under Jefferson’s bust. This would be the last change on the coin until the start of the Westward Journey commemorative designs in 2004. These new designs, celebrating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, included a new, right-facing bust of Jefferson in 2005, designed by Joe Fitzgerald. In 2006, a forward-facing bust of Jefferson, designed by James Franki, was implemented and has appeared since. Concurrently during the obverse redesigns that occurred during 2004 through 2006, several new reverse designs were used as well. In 2004, depictions of a keel boat and Indian peace medal appeared during the first and second half of the year respectively; in 2005, an American bison consumed the reverse for the first six months of the year followed by a view of the Pacific coast emblazoned with the words “Ocean in view! O! The joy!”

While most Jefferson nickels are highly common and only worth a premium if in mint state condition, there are also several valuable, scarcer Jefferson nickels in existence. The Jefferson nickel values below are from the 1965, 1985, and 2005 editions of A Guide Book of United States Coins, by R.S. Yeoman, and illustrate the increases (and, in some cases, decreases) in value for the  more sought-after dates.

1938-D $4 (1965) $2.25 (1985) $2 (2005)
1938-S $6 (1965) $3.50 (1985) $3 (2005)
1939-D $15 (1965) $9 (1985) $12 (2005)
1939-S $5.50 (1965) $2.30 (1985) $4 (2005)
1950-D Uncirculated $22 (1965) $12 (1985) $8.50 (2005)
1951-S Uncirculated $6.75 (1965) $3 (1985) $1.50 (2005)

*Unless otherwise noted, all values are for coins in Extremely Fine grade.

From magazine advertisements to old-time movies, and even in some sayings, like “he holds a nickel so tight, the Indian rides the buffalo,” the Buffalo nickel has gained and maintained fame in a multitude of ways.

The Buffalo nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, was minted during 1913 and 1938 and due to its span of when it was minted is highly synonymous with World War I, the Roaring ‘20s, and the Great Depression.

Interestingly, the animal on the reverse of the coin isn’t a buffalo but, in fact, an American bison named Black Diamond, who was a resident at the Bronx Zoo. Also, the Native American depicted on the obverse isn’t a single person but a compilation of features from several, including Iron Tail (a Sioux Indian), Two Moons (a Cheyenne), and Big Tree (a Kiowa).

Read more: Historic Values of Buffalo Nickels

Millions of coin collectors clamor to assemble complete date-and-mintmark sets of Lincoln cents, and many will pay thousands of dollars just to own an entire run of this beloved one cent series.

Lincoln pennies have been popular as collector coins since the 1930s, when the first coin boards, coin albums, and coin folders were published to display Lincoln cent collectors.

Because this coin is so widely collected, it goes without saying that demand for the scarcer dates is extremely high. This also translates to high values for many of the rare and semi-key Lincoln cents.

Read more: Historical Values of Lincoln Cents

In general, coin collectors will accumulate collections of Indian Head pennies by either date and mintmark, or type. For type sets, a coin collector usually needs just one example of an Indian Head cent to represent the series, whereas those who collect by date need one from each year for a complete set.

Determining how much it will cost to assemble a complete set of this small cent design, or figuring out how much one may be worth today, is a matter of perusing an Indian Head cent coin value guide.

In many cases, it is also educational to take a look at the track record of coin values to see how much certain dates have either increased or decreased in value over the years. While this is especially helpful to those who may want to invest in a coin series, it can also quite entertaining to see what the values are for a certain coin over a given period of time.

Below is a look back at historic coin values for the scarcer Indian Head cents. These coin values are from the 1965, 1985, and 2005 editions of A Guide Book of United States Coins, published by R.S. Yeoman.

*Values are for coins in a grade of “Good,” unless otherwise stated.

1859 $4.00 (1965) $4.50 (1985) $13 (2005)

1864 (L on ribbon) $16 (1965) $25 (1985) $55 (2005)

1866 $10 (1965) $20 (1985) $45 (2005)

1869/8 $45 (1965) $50 (1985) $110 (2005)

1870 $14 (1965) $23 (1985) $50 (2005)

1871 $21 (1965) $30 (1985) $50 (2005)

1872 $23.50 (1965) $43 (1985) $75 (2005)

1877 $100 (1965) $250 (1985) $550 (2005)

1878 $8.50 (1965) $14 (1985) $30 (2005)

1908-S $22 (1965) $22 (1985) $60 (2005)

1909-S $78 (1965) $100 (1985) $300 (2005)

As is the case with all coin values, previous trends may not necessarily predict future outcomes. For example, if a hoard of a rare date, such as the 1877 Indian Head penny, is found, the sudden influx of coins can lower the value of that date. For the most part, coin values are very volatile, and coins should never be seen as a “guaranteed” investment.

In the case of Indian Head pennies, whether or not they are a good investment, they more importantly represent a bygone era in the United States and should be collected and enjoyed for their historic, social, and numismatic value, as much as, if not more than, for their potential as a good investment in the years to come.

Old Lincoln Cents

Dating back to 1909, Lincoln pennies are the longest running United States coin series. However, over the course of more than 100 years, this tiny coin has seen several reverse design changes, including four commemorative designs that were issued in 2009 to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

The three reverse primary reverse designs include:

• Wheat ears (1909-1958)
• Lincoln Memorial (1959-2008)
• Union shield (2010-present)

Most of the valuable dates occurred among old Lincoln wheat ear pennies, and principally during the first 25 years or so of the Lincoln cent’s run. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable Lincoln cents and their values in Good-4 condition (unless otherwise stated):

• 1909-S VDB: $750
• 1911-S: $44
• 1914-D: $225
• 1922 no date: $725
• 1924-D: $37
• 1931-S: $110
• 1955 doubled die: $950
• 1969-S doubled die: $50,000 (Mint-State 63)
• 1970-S small date: $50 (Mint-State 63)
• 1995 doubled die: $10 (Mint-State 63)

Old Indian Cents

Struck from 1859 to 1909, Indian pennies are a throwback to an era when the value of a penny definitely meant much more than it did today. However, if you could transport yourself back to the late 1800s, when the Indian cent was in its prime, and carry back to the present day a handful of old Indian Head cents, you would have beat inflation. Unless damaged or discolored, almost any Indian cent is worth at least $1 to $2, and many are worth much more than that, especially if in well preserved condition.

Here’s a rundown of values for the scarcer Indian pennies:

• 1861: $23
• 1864 with L (for James B. “L”ongacre – the coin’s designer): $62
• 1873 doubled LIBERTY: $625
• 1877: $725
• 1878: $26
• 1888 Last 8 over 7: $2,650
• 1908-S: $70
• 1909-S: $450

While this list does not include every single possible valuable variety in existence (listing that many coins would take more than just one article!), this list is pretty inclusive of the most valuable coins that you’re likeliest to come across in old jars, boxes, drawers, chests, and collections. Good luck!

But, that may change in 2012, as the United States Mint considers ushering in the return of the full line of platinum Eagle coins.

Platinum American Eagle coins were first minted in 1997, and had been a favorite coin for tens of thousands of portfolio and IRA investors and coin collectors.

Platinum Eagle coins are .9995 fine and were offered in one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce, and tenth-ounce sizes. These coins were available in $100, $50, $25, and $10 denominations, respectively.

Read more: Platinum American Eagle Coins Returning in 2012?

• Never clean your coins.
• Don’t drop your coins.
• Keep your coins in the best holders you can afford.
• Be a good steward, for your coins will be in the hands of future generations.

But there are some other principles I’ve learned to always keep in mind about this hobby which have helped me to enjoy this ages-old pastime even more.

I’d love to share these thoughts with you…

Read more: 4 Things To Remember When Coin Collecting

However, if you think coin collecting is a luxurious hobby that you need oodles of money to take part in, then you must not be aware of the many budget-friendly options available for collecting coins on the cheap.

In fact, it’s entirely possible to begin a decent U.S. coin collection for less than $20. How, you ask?

If you’re interested in starting a basic coin collection of Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, or Washington quarters, here are some ideas that can help you take your coin collecting goals to flight…

#1  Buy a coin folder.

For less than $5, you can buy a coin folder at your local bookstore or coin dealer. Coin folders are perfectly fine for keeping common, worn coins organized and displayed and are much safer than simply storing your coins in a cigar box, glass jar, or other improvised container.

Read more: 3 Tips For Starting A Budget Coin Collection For Under $20