As a non-profit, educational organization, the ANA is not part of the market. That is, it does not buy, sell or arrange the sale of numismatic items; therefore we cannot determine the value of your item. Collector or numismatic value is heavily based on rarity and condition, as well as market factors of supply and demand. Rarity is established by the mintage, the market is determined by the number of collectors wanting to own the piece versus the number that exist, and condition is the physical state of the item. Due to the large numbers of U.S. coins and paper money produced throughout the 20th century, most circulating currency produced during that era will hold only a nominal collector's value over the face value or legal tender amount.

A retail value range can be ascertained from many published sources. A Guide Book of United States Coins by R. S. Yeoman, Comprehensive Catalog of U.S. Paper Money by Gene Hessler, as well as the Standard Catalog of World Coins and the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (both published by Krause Publications), are readily available at most libraries and bookstores or they can be ordered online from the ANA MoneyMarket.

An exact value can be established only by a careful physical examination of the item by an experienced numismatist. We suggest you take your items to an ANA member coin dealer in your local area for an evaluation. You will find a listing of dealers in the yellow pages under "Coin Dealers" or listed by state or country on the ANA website under "Dealer Directory" Please note, ANA-member dealers are bound by our Code of Ethics.

Many numismatic items can be identified by using the same published sources listed in Question 1, A Guide Book of United States Coins, Comprehensive Catalog of U.S. Paper Money, the Standard Catalog of World Coins, and the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. All these publications feature illustrations.

It can be difficult to identify any numismatic item by written or verbal description. If you send in a photocopy of the item obverse and reverse (heads and tails), enlarged as well as actual size (for coins), we will be happy to conduct research for you. In most cases, photocopies provide a better resolution than a scanned image, allowing for a more accurate identification. Research and photocopy fees will be applied as appropriate. Please consider U.S. laws restricting the reproduction of paper money. Always be sure to photocopy paper money at twice its actual size.

We will not honor anonymous submissions. Send requests including name, phone number and return address, to:

ANA Library
Attn: Research Request
818 North Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Replicas and counterfeit copies have been produced of all known numismatic rarities. The "Hobby Protection Act of 1973" dictates that all reproductions produced after that date be marked as such. If your item bears the words "Replica," "Copy," or the letters "R" or "C," it is undoubtedly a copy. As such, it holds no legal-tender or collector value.

Many counterfeit copies are produced utilizing the same casting methods as in mass jewelry production. During this process, molten metal is poured into molds of the obverse and reverse designs, and the two sides are fused together to form a single piece. This process often leaves two telltale signs: a highly pitted appearance, particularly around the perimeter, as evidence of metal that was poured at the wrong temperature; and a seam or line around the edge where the two sides were joined together. Since genuine coins are struck from a single planchet of solid metal, they will have a smooth appearance and will not bear any seam. However, absence of these characteristics does not necessarily mean the piece is genuine.

Genuineness cannot be determined from a scan, photocopy or description. If there is some question, or if you believe that your item may be genuine, we suggest you submit for examination.

If you would like to research the items yourself (and it is a good idea to do so) we suggest you use the published sources referenced in Question 1. Unless you are an experienced numismatist you will not be able to determine an actual value for the collection. However, with careful examination you should be able to establish a retail value range.

If you desire more exact numbers, or if you are simply overwhelmed by the collection, we suggest you employ the services of a local numismatist to examine each item. You will find dealers listed in your local yellow pages under "Coin Dealers" or by searching the ANA website by state or country under "Dealer Directory" Please note that all ANA member dealers are bound by our Code of Ethics. In general, coin dealers are also involved with numismatic clubs and will be acquainted with other collectors in the area. Most will be happy to refer you to someone who specializes in the type of coins in the collection. Please note fees are often assessed for an appraisal.

Money is a representation of material, political and religious culture. Through the study of the coins and paper money of any particular era, one can determine what was important to the people and government at that time. The independent thought of Revolutionary America is glaringly evident in the legends featured on the Fugio cent and Continental Currency piece. Since the portraits used on coinage denote a reliable and recognizable picture of the rulers, we know that Cleopatra bore no resemblance to Elizabeth Taylor and was in fact quite unattractive.

Items used as units of exchange have existed for all time; however, the first items that we would recognize today as coins came from the kingdom of Lydia, approximately 650 B.C. We also know that paper money was used by the Kao-Tsung dynasty, A.D. 650 to 683. If you are interested in a particular subject area, we suggest you visit your local library, where you will find specific information on the cultural associations of your coin(s) or paper currency.

You must collect what you find attractive and interesting so the hobby will be enjoyable to you. Experienced as well as financially successful collectors advise beginners to collect the "best" coins that are financially feasible. Since numismatic value is heavily based on rarity and condition, coins that have not circulated have historically held a higher numismatic value than those that have been in circulation.

If you are a novice collector interested in U.S. issues, A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman is an excellent source and is considered the standard in numismatics. This annually published, retail-value listing details all official U.S. coins from Colonial times to the present. The book also does a fine job of explaining the minting process and grading criteria commonly used in numismatics. You should be able to locate this source at any bookstore or library, or you can order it online from the ANA MoneyMarket.

If you are interested in the collection and study of coins, notes, tokens, medals or related items we encourage you to become a member of the ANA. Membership holds many benefits, including the use of the largest circulating numismatic library in the world, a subscription to our award-winning journal, The Numismatist, as well as discounts on numismatic books and supplies from the ANA MoneyMarket. For more information, please contact the ANA Membership Department at membership@money.org or 719-632-2646, or you can apply for membership online.

There are also several local and national collecting groups that share your interest and will provide another dimension to your hobby. You will find a full listing of clubs by specialty and location on the ANA website under Club Directory.

First, numismatists don't recommend cleaning coins at all. Even rubbing a coin with a very soft cloth can leave minute scratches on the surface that will adversely affect collector value. To improve a coin's appearance it sometimes is acceptable--on a very limited basis--to gently swish it in a diluted solution of pure soap, rinse with distilled water and allow to air dry.

Never use any type of commercial jewelry polish on coins. These compounds contain abrasive grit that will mar their surface, and if used often will eventually wear away the metal. The same advice goes for "home remedies" such as vinegar, lemon juice, tomato juice, etc. All will do more harm than good.

Coins should be stored individually (to avoid scratches) in approved coin containers available for purchase through your local ANA member dealer or the ANA MoneyMarket. Paper money should be stored flat in acid-free or archival holders. A dry environment without temperature fluctuation is important for long-term storage of your numismatic items. Even if your items are stored in a safe-deposit box, you will want to check on your collection every couple of months just to keep abreast of any problems that might develop---so that preventive steps can be taken before true damage occurs.

Your coins are the victims of polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC. Do not attempt to clean the coins yourself. This is a serious problem that must be addressed by a professional. Contact NGC.