Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-12
RARE UNITED STATES COINS.
Some Points MS to Vnlues From n
Skilled Numisma-

In the estimation of coin collectors, the
most valuable of all the American coins
to-day is the perfect silver dollar of 1904.
IEat particular coin is worth whatever an
enthusiastic collector is willing to pay for
II. The highest auction price is 1000, and
there Is u record of $1,000 having been paid
for one at a private sale. Only thirteen
or them are known to exist. and each has
u record of ownership.
Lyman ii. Low. the skilled numiSmatist.
IN discussing the subject of coin collections,
IN his office in the United Charities build
ing. said to a New York Herald reporter:
There are many mrities in the different
series of United States coins. and some of
tfem command pretty high prices. That
"hlch mas the highest record with us is
the 1914 dollar. and there are probably
several hundred mistaken claims made
each year by persons who think that they
nave one OF these dollars. This mistake
arises from Il confusion of other coins
gearing the same date with the United
Sna,es silver dollar. The Spanish-Amer,,
1904. and the Bank of England has an 1901
issue. which is stamped five shillings or
cred coins turn up as alleged 1904 dollars.
Next TO these rare silver dollars the
coin collector prizes the half-eagles. or S.
worth from $500 upward. OF the other
rarities in the gold series the most nota-
pit are the VI piece OF 1919 ana tht vi pieces
bearing date OF $50 and 1876. In the series
of silver half-dollars the most valuable are
the coins of 1896 and 1897. The lesser lights
halves Of 1874. l$Oi. 1902, 1915 and 1852. High
prices are realized by silver quarters of
dates prior 10 1915 when they are in the
quarters most in demand and consequent
" most valuable are those of ls2I and ls2..
An lSo2 half-dime is very valuable. \
any time. The 1891 dime is probably the
rarest.. and it is fair TO say that any early
American dime in a high state of preser-
also TO almost any Of the copper cents
bearing dates prior to 1910, especially when
they are in the mint state or near thereto;
The rare sets of copper cents may be noted
in the following order: 1879. 1851. 1888, 1909.
and 1911. In the issues of other dates the
Question of preservation is most important;
The old two-cent pieces which Were coined
from 1864 to 1913 have no special value,
except those of the date of 1873. The
1873 coins We're never struck for general
circulation, but We're put in proof sets of
that date.
Then there is the little Scent silver
piece, the coming of which began in 1851
and ended in 1878. All the issues of the
last eleven years are in demand. Perfect
specimens are rare. OF the small copper:
bears the date of 1856 is the only one that
is priced
In the course of a year great quantities
of old coins are submitted TO Mr.. Low for
inspection and appraisal. He is a recos-
nized authority in the science of numis-
MATES. and is one of the very few men
in this country who devote exclusive at
tontion to the handling of rare coins: His
catalogue OF American colonial and United
States gold. silver and copper coins worth
little book. When asked what proportion
of the coins submitted to him for
ton We're really valuable, Mr.: Low re.
to go through a wagonload of coins to find
one of unusual character or value.