Guides
What is it, and what is it worth?
Plain-language guides for things people inherit, find or dig out of a drawer. Each one answers the question first, with honest value ranges, and tells you which photo would settle the hard cases. 50 guides so far.
Coins
- 1943 Steel Penny Value: What Is Yours Worth?Most 1943 steel pennies are worth 10 cents to a few dollars. Only top uncirculated coins bring more. The magnet test, mint marks and copper fakes explained.
- Bicentennial Quarter Value: What Is a 1776-1976 Quarter Worth?Almost every 1776-1976 bicentennial quarter is worth 25 cents. The 40% silver S-mint coins, proofs, top grades and real errors are the exceptions. How to check.
- Buffalo Nickel Value: Are Buffalo Nickels Worth Anything?Dateless Buffalo nickels are worth 10 to 25 cents and common dates $1-3. Key dates like the 1913-S Type 2, 1918/7-D and 1937-D three-legged are worth hundreds.
- Are Old Foreign Coins Worth Anything?Most foreign coins are worth a few cents each. Silver issues, pre-1950 crowns and a few key types are the exceptions. How to read the legend and spot them.
- Indian Head Penny Value: What Is Yours Worth?Most Indian Head pennies are worth $1-3 worn, but the 1877, 1909-S, 1908-S, 1869 and 1872 are worth far more. How to read the date, mint mark and condition.
- Inherited Coins: Are Any of Them Worth Anything?Most inherited coin jars are worth face value plus some silver. Here is how to sort a pile fast and spot the few dates, mint marks and errors that pay.
- 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Value and Other Years ExplainedA 1964 Kennedy half is 90% silver and worth its melt, 1965-1970 halves are 40% silver, and 1971 onward are usually face value. How to tell which one you have.
- Mercury Dime Value: What Is Your Mercury Dime Worth?Common Mercury dimes are worth their silver, roughly $2-4 each. Key dates like the 1916-D, 1921 and 1942/1 overdate are worth far more. How to check yours.
- Morgan Silver Dollar Value: What Is Yours Worth?Most Morgan dollars are worth their silver plus a modest premium. The 1893-S, 1889-CC, 1895 and Carson City coins are exceptions. How to tell which you have.
- Peace Dollar Value: What Is Your Silver Dollar Worth?Most Peace dollars are worth their silver plus a few dollars. The 1921, 1928 and 1934-S are the keys. How to read the date and mint mark and spot cleaned coins.
- Are State Quarters Worth Anything? Errors, Proofs and SetsCirculated state quarters are worth 25 cents. A few errors, like the 2004-D Wisconsin extra leaf, and silver proof sets bring real premiums. What to look for.
- Wheat Penny Value: Are Wheat Pennies Worth Anything?Most wheat pennies are worth 3 to 10 cents. A few dates, like the 1909-S VDB, 1914-D and 1943 copper cent, are worth hundreds or far more. How to check yours.
Jewelry
- Is Costume Jewelry Worth Anything? Vintage Makers and ValuesIs vintage costume jewelry worth anything? Which signed makers sell, from Trifari to Haskell and Chanel, how to find a signature and what damage costs you.
- How to Tell if Gold Is Real at Home (and What Tests Lie)How to tell if gold is real at home: what 10K, 14K, 585 and 750 stamps mean, the plating marks to watch, why magnet and skin tests mislead, and melt value.
- How to Tell if Pearls Are Real: Tests, Types and ValueHow to tell if pearls are real: the tooth test, drill holes, weight and clasp marks, natural vs cultured vs imitation, and what Akoya and Tahitian strands get.
- Is My Old Jewelry Real Gold? How to Read Gold StampsHow to tell if old jewelry is real gold from its stamps: 10K, 14K, 585, 750, the plating marks that fool people, melt value math and who settles it.
Art and antiques
- Depression Glass Value: Is Depression Glass Worth Anything?What depression glass is worth: how to identify 1930s patterns, makers and colors, the UV test for uranium glass, how to spot reproductions and what sells.
- How to Read Pottery Marks: Identify and Date Your PiecePottery marks name the maker, the country and often the decade. How to read impressed, printed and painted marks, from Nippon to Roseville, and what they mean.
- Is This Painting Worth Anything? Original or PrintHow to tell if a painting is an original or a print, what signatures and labels on the back mean, and what most inherited paintings and prints sell for.
- Is My Old China Worth Anything? Fine China Value TodayIs your old fine china worth anything? How to read backstamps from Lenox, Noritake, Wedgwood and Limoges, why full sets sell low, and which pieces still sell.
- Sterling Silver vs Silver Plate: How to Tell the DifferenceHow to tell sterling silver from silver plate by its marks, what a sterling set is worth by weight, why plate sells for a few dollars and what to photograph.
Trading cards
- 1st Edition Charizard Value and How to Tell Which Print You HaveA Base Set Charizard can be worth $150 or $300,000. The print, the stamp, the shadow and the grade decide which. Here is how to tell the versions apart.
- How to Tell If a Pokemon Card Is First EditionA 1st Edition Pokemon card has a small black EDITION 1 stamp below the art box on the left. Which sets had it, how shadowless differs and what it does to value.
- Michael Jordan Rookie Card Value: 1986 Fleer #57A 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 is worth hundreds raw and six figures in PSA 10. How grade sets the price, how to spot fakes and which cards are not rookies.
- Are Old Baseball Cards Worth Anything?Most baseball cards from 1986 to 1994 are worth pennies, but pre-1970 stars, key rookies and high graded cards can be worth a lot. Here is how to sort them.
- Are Old Magic: The Gathering Cards Worth Anything?Most old Magic cards are worth cents, but Alpha, Beta and Unlimited rares and Reserved List cards like dual lands sell for hundreds or more. How to tell.
- Are My Old Pokemon Cards Worth Anything?Most old Pokemon cards are worth under a dollar, but 1st Edition, shadowless and holo cards from 1999 to 2003 can be worth far more. Here is how to tell which.
- Are Yu-Gi-Oh Cards Worth Anything? Old Card ValuesMost Yu-Gi-Oh cards are worth cents, but early 1st Edition holos from LOB and other 2002 sets, tournament prizes and rare promos can sell for hundreds or more.
Something else
Toys and LEGO
- Hot Wheels Redline Value: Are Old Hot Wheels Worth Anything?Most Hot Wheels are worth about $1, but 1968 to 1977 Redlines often sell for $10-200 and rare colors far more. How to spot a Redline and judge its condition.
- Old LEGO Sets Value: Are Old LEGO Sets Worth Anything?Loose LEGO sells by the pound, but complete retired sets and sealed boxes can be worth far more than retail. How to find the set number and what adds value.
- Vintage Barbie Value: Is My Old Barbie Worth Anything?Most Barbies from the 1980s on sell for $1-10, while 1959 to 1966 dolls can bring hundreds and a #1 Ponytail far more. How to date yours and what hurts value.
- Vintage Star Wars Figures Value: What Kenner Figures Are WorthMost loose Kenner Star Wars figures sell for $3-40, while carded, early and rare variants reach hundreds or thousands. Here is how to date and value yours.
Watches
- How to Tell if a Watch Is Real: Fake Watch Signs to CheckPhotos show whether a watch is consistent with the genuine model, and cheap fakes often fail on the dial. Super clones do not, so a watchmaker settles it.
- Inherited a Watch? How to Tell What It Is and What It's WorthMost inherited watches are worth $10-200, but a Rolex, Omega or solid gold case changes everything. How to read the dial, caseback and reference to know which.
- Is My Rolex Real? What Photos Can and Cannot Tell YouPhotos show whether a Rolex is consistent with the genuine reference, but super clones copy the outside well. Only a watchmaker opening the case settles it.
- Old Pocket Watch Value: What Is an Antique Pocket Watch Worth?Most old American pocket watches are gold filled and worth $40-200. Solid gold cases, railroad grades and high jewel counts push value up. How to read yours.
Bags and accessories
- How to Tell if a Louis Vuitton Is Real: What Photos ShowDate codes, heat stamps and monogram alignment show whether a Louis Vuitton is consistent with genuine. Only a professional authenticator settles it.
- Inherited a Designer Bag? Is It Real and What Is It WorthHeat stamps and date codes identify model and era. Coach sells for $20-250, LV for $400-1,600, Chanel and Hermes far more. A photo cannot settle authenticity.
- Vintage Coach Bag Value: Are Old Coach Bags Worth Anything?What a vintage Coach bag is worth: reading the creed patch and serial by era, why made in New York leather sells, and why modern outlet Coach brings little.
Clothing and sneakers
- How to Tell if Sneakers Are Real: Jordans, Dunks and YeezysPhotos show whether the size tag, SKU, box label and shape fit the release, but StockX, GOAT or a legit check settles it. Plus what common pairs are worth.
- Vintage Levi's Value: How to Date Levi's JeansMost used Levi's sell for $20-60, but Big E red tabs, selvedge 501s and US-made pairs from the 1990s can reach hundreds. How tags and buttons date a pair.
- How to Tell if a Vintage T-Shirt Is Worth MoneyMost old tees sell for $5-30, but 80s and 90s band, movie and promo shirts on the right tags reach hundreds. How tags, stitching and prints date a shirt.
Stamps and banknotes
- Inherited Stamp Collection: What Is It Worth?Most inherited stamp albums sell for a small fraction of catalog value. Here is what dealers pay, how to spot the exceptions, and what to photograph first.
- Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Value: What Is Yours Worth?A blue seal $1 silver certificate from 1935 or 1957 is worth about $1.50-4 worn. 1928 funnybacks, Hawaii and North Africa notes and star notes are worth more.
- 2 Dollar Bill Value: Are $2 Bills Worth Anything?Most $2 bills are worth exactly $2. Red seal notes from 1928, 1953 and 1963, star notes and odd serial numbers can be worth more. How to tell which you have.
Books, comics and records
- Is My Book a First Edition? How to Tell and What It Is WorthMost old books are worth a few dollars, but a true first printing in its jacket can be worth far more. How to read the copyright page and spot book club copies.
- Are Old Comic Books Worth Anything? Old Comic Book ValueMost comics from the 1990s on sell for $1-5, while key issues and Silver Age first appearances bring hundreds or more. How to date, identify and grade yours.
- Are Old Vinyl Records Worth Anything? Vinyl Record ValueMost old records sell for $1-5, but first pressings, mono copies, Blue Note originals and rare punk and soul bring hundreds. How to read the label and runout.