Geoff runs Genuine Cents, a straight talking coin education project built from hands-on experience and hundreds of hours examining coins. He is an ANA member and writes practical guides for new and returning collectors who want clarity instead of hype. If you want to reach him, message him on Instagram at @GenuineCents.
Everyone hears “never clean your coins,” and it’s usually the right advice. But there are a few rare situations where it actually makes sense. Here’s when to consider it and how to do it without ruining the coin.
That “IBERTY” penny in your hand isn’t a jackpot. Most missing letters come from grease in the die or plain damage. Fun to keep, cool to learn from, but not the kind of error that cashes out big.
That penny with letters smeared into the rim isn’t a rare doubled die. It’s metal flow. The press shoved soft copper sideways, warping the design. Cool to study, fun to save, but not a jackpot.
Think you found a repunched mintmark? Think again. If the doubling is only on the mintmark, it’s probably just a mechanical hiccup and not a rare variety. Here’s how to tell the difference between real value and junk that only looks good under a microscope.
A USB microscope can save your eyes, your time, and your sanity. Here’s how to set one up on a Mac or PC without downloading any shady apps.
PMD stands for Post-Mint Damage. It refers to anything that happened after a coin was struck. It doesn’t matter if the damage occurred at the mint or in someone’s pocket. If it didn’t happen during the minting process, it’s not an error. It’s damage.
Think your 1965 quarter might be silver? Most aren’t, but a few rare ones are worth thousands. This guide shows you how to check the edge, weigh the coin, and know what to look for.
Most nickels are only worth five cents, but a few stand out for their silver content, low mintages, or collectible errors. This guide covers the key dates, valuable varieties, and what to actually watch for in your change.
In 2009, the U.S. Mint released four special penny designs to honor Abraham Lincoln’s life. They look different, but are they actually worth anything? This guide breaks down what to look for, which versions have value, and why most of them are still only worth a cent.
Wondering if your 1982 penny is worth anything? With seven different varieties and a mid-year metal change, it’s one of the most confusing coins out there. This guide breaks down how to tell copper from zinc, what to look for in small dates, and which version might actually be valuable.