Shelton and the Lower Valley: Bring the Whole Coin Collection to a Dealer Who Shows the Math

Inherited collections from Valley mill and brass families

For generations, Ansonia and Derby brass and copper works employed Shelton residents, and many of those families saved coins as a matter of course. We see Morgan and Peace dollars from the early 1900s, wheat and Indian Head cents in old albums, Mercury dimes, Walking Liberty half dollars, and proof and mint sets still in original U.S. Mint packaging. Each category is priced differently, and we walk you through the reasoning for every piece.

Morgan and Peace silver dollars

Morgan dollars (1878–1921) and Peace dollars (1921–1935) are the coins we see most often from Shelton estates. Every Morgan contains silver, but specific dates and Carson City mint marks command significant premiums above silver value. A typical 1880s Morgan in circulated grade often sells for its silver content alone, while an 1893-S in uncirculated condition can be worth thousands. We examine every dollar for date and mint mark, never just weigh the lot.

Pre-1965 U.S. silver coins

Dimes, quarters, and half dollars dated 1964 and earlier are 90 percent silver. They are often called "junk silver" but are worth well above face value at current silver prices. Certain dates are rare and add numismatic value on top of the silver content. We sort through every coin individually rather than weighing the lot.

Wheat cents and Indian Head cents

Wheat pennies (1909–1958) and earlier Indian Head cents can be worth more than face value, with certain key dates worth hundreds. A jar of old cents from a Shelton estate may contain a 1909-S VDB or a 1914-D worth pulling out. Bring the whole jar — do not clean them first.

Buffalo nickels

Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) show up regularly in Valley estate collections. Most are worth modest premiums in circulated condition, but certain dates — the 1913-D Type 2, the 1937-D three-leg — can be worth well above face. We check the date and mint mark on every nickel, not just the type.

Mercury dimes and Walking Liberty half dollars

Mercury dimes (1916–1945) and Walking Liberty half dollars (1916–1947) are 90 percent silver and common in Shelton estate collections. The 1916-D Mercury dime and the 1916 Walking Liberty half are key dates worth significantly more than melt. We identify the date and mint mark on each one rather than pricing the group by weight alone.

Proof sets, mint sets, and old paper currency

Uncirculated proof sets and mint sets from the U.S. Mint sets can hold premiums beyond their silver value, particularly vintage issues still in their original government packaging. Silver certificates, Red Seal $2 notes, and obsolete national bank notes can carry collector value well above face value. If you found old paper money in a Shelton estate, bring it — a bank will only give you face value.

Grading, condition, and why it matters

Condition drives a coin’s value — the gap between a coin graded "Good" and one graded "Uncirculated" can be thousands of dollars for the same date and mint mark. We assess condition in front of you and walk you through how it factors into our offer. You do not need to grade anything yourself.

Do not clean your coins

Dipping or polishing strips away the original toning that collectors value, and the result is a coin that commands a lower price in the same grade. Bring your coins exactly as they were stored, even if they look dirty or tarnished.

Bring the entire collection

Bring the whole collection, even if it looks like a jumble of unrelated pieces. We go through every coin individually rather than offering one bulk number. A 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent in fine condition is priced as the rare coin it is, not grouped with the common cents around it. We lay each piece out, grade it, and show you the pricing so you can see where every dollar of the offer comes from.

The Connecticut 10-day hold

Connecticut law requires licensed dealers to hold non-bullion items for 10 days before reselling. This is a consumer protection that gives sellers a window to reclaim items. Your payment is not delayed — you receive your check the same day you accept the offer. The hold only affects when we can resell, not when you get paid. Bullion coins and bars are exempt.

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