Parents and grandparents often saved coins and very often knew precisely what they had. Unfortunately, this was usually not communicated to the family members who ultimately inherited the coins. We once had a family who inherited four coffee cans filled with less than $1,000 face value in coins. They were preparing to deposit them into the local bank at face value when I explained that they were junk silver coins. Ultimately, I was able to convert those four coffee cans of coins into approximately $25,500 for the family. Lets take a quick look at the types of coins typically found in estate situations. Face Value Coins This is basic pocket change and worth no more, and no less, than face value. This would include standard pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters, and halves, as well as most Susan B. Anthony, Sacajawea, and Eisenhower Dollar Coins. Numismatic Coins These are Collectible Coins and carry a premium value based upon such factors as coin type (Morgan Silver Dollar, Indian Head Cent, etc.), year, mint mark, and condition. Value can range from face value to thousands-of-times face value. Junk Silver Coins These coins usually dont carry much numismatic value, but, because they are 90 percent pure silver, they will always have silver value. The value of these coins will fluctuate based upon the silver spot price. Gold Coins With gold currently trading at around $1,300 per oz., only a few U.S. Gold Coins can add up to a lot of money. Be on the lookout for these. U.S. Mint and Proof Sets These are Collector Sets issued by the U.S. Treasury Department that typically include one example of each coin issued in a particular year. Although fun to collect, most sets only have a nominal value above face value. Foreign Coins Foreign Coins can range from nearly valueless travel pocket change and WWI and WWII pocket change to extremely valuable Gold and Silver Foreign Coins. Bullion Coins U.S. Silver Eagles, Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, and South African Kruggerands are just a few examples of Bullion Coins. Although most have low face value, true value fluctuates based upon the gold and silver spot price. Tokens Although not legitimate coins, and having no face value, tokens were often issued by specific businesses or groups and carried some type of value with the issuing entity. Select tokens may carry some collectible value. Whats it worth? The value of the above coins can range from face value to tens-of-thousands of dollars. Well be covering specific coin types in more depth in future Whats It Worth Antique Minute columns. But our caution here is that you should know what you have before you start selling them. Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the Whats It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser radio show that airs live in the Philadelphia area on Friday mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. EST on WBCB 1490 AM and on the Internet at www.WBCB1490.com. You can also visit his radio show website at www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com. Further details can also be found at www.michaelivankovichappraisals.com.