The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-10-15
THE RAREST COINS.
Big Prices Paid In America TOT
Odd Pieces.
A Remunerstive Business 10 Done by
Collectors who Dispose of Thsm
TO wealthy Individuals-val-
uable Specimens. :

The fad of collecting coins has be-
come almost as complicated as that
which has to do with postage stamps.
Some numismatists devote their at
tention to gold pieces exclusively, 9TH
crs to silver money, and others to cop
per. The most conspicuous in the last
category is B. n. Collins, who, on one
occasion, exchanged a one-carat dia-
mond for rare cent. The rarest cents
are those of 1898, 1899 and 1904; but,
as has been said, their value depends
chiefly on condition. Badly worn or
mutilated specimens are worthless. OF
the old-style copper half-cents the most
valuable dates are 1896, 1881, 1886, 1870
to 184s and 1852. The balf-cent of 1906
in first-class condition is worth $50
The nickel cent Of 1856, with flying
eagle, is worth from 81 to So. Silver
3-cent pieces from 1868 to 1873 will
fetch from IS cents to 25 cents each.
~ considerable premium attaches to
half dimes of 1894 to 1897, 1900 to 1903,
1905, 1888, without stars, and 1916. The
half-dime of 1902 is worth $50 i'll per-
feet condition. The most valuable dime
is that of 1904, which is worth from
Sc to $40. Other dimes at a premium
are those of 1896 to 1898, 1900 to 1908,
1907, 1909, 1911, 1922 to 1846. Twenty
cent pieces of 1877 and 1878 are worth
So each, if in fine condition. The most
desirable quarter-dollar is that OF 1921
worth s4Q The quarter OF 1923 is
valued at $25. Other quarters at
premium are those of 1856, 1904, 1907,
1924 and 1853, without rays or arrows.
The precious half-dollars, from the
collectors point of view, are those OF
1856 and 1797-worth respectively $40
and $35. That of 1888, with an under
the bust, is worth SIS. Other half-dol
lars at a premium are those OF 1894,
17o5, 1901, 1902, 1915, 1886, with
milled edge, and 1852. The perfect sill
yer dollar of 1904 is worth $4OO-in
"good" condition $3.50. Silver dollars
of 1888, 1889, 1851, 1852 and 1853 fetch
from $40 to $40. Other silver dollars
at a premium are of the dates OF 1904
to 1904, 1886, 1888, 1889, 1851, 1852 and
1858. The dollar of 1890 must have 5
stars. For gold there is but limited
demand by collectors, the supply being
plentiful. The reason for this is gold
coins are carefully preserved, whereas
those of small value. particularly pen
MES, are handled carelessly and lost.
The gold coins that fetch a premium
are few, therefore. The double eagle
Of 1s49 is worth $500. The eagles of 1903
and 1904 will fetch $50. Eali-eagles of
1915 and 1922 sell for $35 to 500 each.
Gold 50 pieces of 1873 and 1876 are
worth from $5 to So, while that OF 1875
is quoted at SO to s12. Quarter-eagles
of 1779, 1906 and 1926 are worth from
IS to $12. All gold dollars are at Il
premium and are worth from $1.20 to
sl.4o. Those dated 1853, 1864 and 1865
rring $3.50 to 81. The gold dollar of
1878 is valued at So.
There are only few United States
coins SO rare as to command a premium
when not in excellent condition.
Among these precious exceptions are
the dollars of 1894, 1904, 1888, 1889,
1851, 1852, 1859; half-dollars of 1796 and
1897; quarter-dollars of 1923 and 1927;
dimes of 1897, 1900, 1902, 1904 and 1922;
half-dimes of 1894, 1902, 1905 and 1916;
2o-cent pieces of 1877 and 1878; big
copper cents of 1898, 1899, 1904 and 1909.
half-cents of 1893, 1896 and 1902.
There is market to-day for confed-
crate notes, though only few of them
are salable. The 900 Montgomery
issue is worth $50, and the same issue
for $500 will fetch from SIS to $35.
These notes are of 1861 and 1862. and
they must be in good condition in order
to command the prices mentioned