6 Coins you can RETIRE From!

 

 

In this video, we're going to go over 6 rare coins that are worth a lot of money you could potentially retire from!

Farewell to the Penny

After nearly two centuries, the U.S. government is ending the production of the penny. The U.S. penny discontinuation means that, in time, these coins that you grew up with will no longer be in circulation. For many Americans, the penny is more than just pocket change. It’s a nostalgic reminder of childhood piggy banks, exact-change and “a penny saved is a penny earned.” While often overlooked in daily life, the penny has been a constant in wallets, registers and charity jars for generations.

This change stands to impact everything from retail sales prices to coin collectors. And, with the penny taken out of production, a bit of U.S. history will be lost. High production costs are driving the decision to discontinue the penny. According to the United States Mint’s 2024 annual report, it costs 3.7 cents to manufacture a single penny, meaning the country is spending more on producing pennies than the coins are worth.

In February, President Donald Trump called for the Treasury Department to halt penny production. “For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have instructed my secretary of the U.S. Treasury to stop producing new pennies.” The Treasury Department has announced that it will stop manufacturing pennies, placing its last order for penny blanks in May. Those blanks, which are manufactured into pennies, will run out in early 2026, at which point penny production will cease.

High coin production costs have prompted several other countries to phase out their lowest-denomination coins. Australia ended production of its 1 and 2 cent coins in 1992, and Canada followed suit by phasing out its penny in 2012. New Zealand eliminated its 1 and 2 cent coins in 1990 and later discontinued the 5 cent coin in 2006.

While production costs are cited as the main reason for discontinuing the penny, the United States is also shifting toward a cashless economy, reducing the demand for coins and cash. According to Pew Research Center data, as of 2022, about 41% of Americans said they do not use cash for purchases in a typical week, up from 29% in 2018 and 24% in 2015. The trend suggests that consumers are increasingly turning to digital payments for everyday transactions. Source

Happy Memorial Day!

 

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave," - Unknown

Happy Memorial Day from Martinez Coin And Jewelry Exchange!

3755 Alhambra Ave Ste 1, Martinez, CA

(925) 335-9500

martinezcoin@comcast.net

The Fascination of Error Coins

What is an Error Coin?

An error coin is minted with a defect due to mishaps in the minting process. These defects can range from minor misalignments to major design overlaps, and they transform ordinary coins into sought-after collectibles. Unlike standard coins, which are struck perfectly by the mint, error coins slip through quality control, carrying with them tales of rarity and unexpected value.

Types of Error Coins

Error coins can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the stage of minting at which the error occurred. Here are some common types of errors:

• Double Die; This error occurs when a coin die strikes a coin blank more than once in misaligned positions, creating a doubled image on the coin.

• Off-center Strike; When a coin blank is not properly centered during striking, the result is a coin with an off-center design, sometimes missing part of the imagery.

• Blank Planchet; Sometimes, a blank that was never struck slips through, resulting in a coin-shaped piece of metal with no design.

• Clipped Planchet; This happens when the metal strip from which coin blanks are cut is not properly fed into the press, resulting in irregularly shaped coins.

• Lamination flaw; A lamination flaw is a planchet defect that results from metal impurities or internal stresses. Lamination flaws cause discoloration, uneven surfaces, peeling, and splitting.

• Mule; A mule coin is struck using mismatched dies—for example, the obverse (front) of one denomination and the reverse (back) of another.

• Wrong Metal or Wrong Planchet; Occasionally, coins are struck on planchets intended for a different denomination or alloy composition.

Top 10 Rare Error Coins

Among the many error coins, some stand out for their rarity and the stories behind their creation. Here are ten of the most valuable:

1.) 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: Mistakenly struck in bronze instead of the usual zinc-coated steel during wartime shortages.

2.) 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent: Famous for its clear doubling of inscriptions and date.

3.) 1972 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent: This coin features dramatic doubling on its obverse, making it a collector's favorite.

4.) 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Coin/Quarter Mule: A rare mule coin with a Sacagawea reverse and a state quarter obverse.

5.) 1969-S Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent: Known for its strong and obvious doubling, this coin is highly prized.

6.) 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime: These dimes accidentally left the Philadelphia mint without a mint mark.

7.) 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter: A rare overdate error where a 1918 quarter was struck over a 1917 die.

8.) 1942/1 Mercury Dime: Another overdate, with a 1942 die struck over a 1941 die, available from both Philadelphia and Denver mints.

9.) 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel: This error was caused by a die abrasion that removed one of the buffalo's legs.

10.) 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent: Due to die polishing, these cents came out missing the "D" mint mark.

Error coins offer a window into the minting process and an opportunity to own something truly unique. Collectors cherish these coins not just for their monetary value but for their historical and aesthetic appeal. They tell stories of human error, technological faults, and the randomness of chance—all of which add to their allure and desirability. Source

How Long Did Roman Coins Stay in Circulation?

 

 

Let's answer the old question many numismatists make: "For how long did ancient coins circulate?" Let's take a look at some examples of Roman coins and hoards and try to come up with an answer.

How to Clean Coins

 

 

Unlock the secrets to cleaning coins without damaging them with our step-by-step guide! Whether you're dealing with old, silver, or copper coins, we've got you covered. Learn effective techniques using baking soda, dish soap, vinegar, salt, coke, or lemon juice. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just discovered a jar of old coins, this video will guide you through proper cleaning methods to restore their shine and reveal hidden beauty. From old coin basics to silver, copper, and more, tailor your approach to each unique coin. Discover safe and effective cleaning methods, and remember to prioritize the preservation of your prized possessions. 

Will Coin Collecting Die If The Mint Does This?

 

 

Happy Mothers Day!

 

Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there from us at Martinez Coin And Jewelry Exchange! We hope you have the best weekend celebrating and are grateful for all that you do!

Martinez Coin And Jewelry Exchange 

3755 Alhambra Ave Ste 1, Martinez, CA, United States, California

(925) 335-9500

How to Value Your Old Coins

 

 

Do you have old coins at home? A silver coin collection that gramps left you? Learn to value your old coin collection

Metal Jewelry Stamps and Marks

Jewelry made from precious metals is often stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. A quality mark contains information about metal content that appears on an article. It is usually stamped or inscribed on the piece. There is considerable confusion about the meaning of quality marks that are seen on jewelry and other items. Here is some information that will demystify terms such as "plated," "filled," "sterling," and others.​

Gold Quality Marks = karat, carat, Karat, Carat, Kt., Ct., K, C

Gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being 24/24ths gold or pure gold.1 A 10 karat gold item contains 10/24ths gold, a 12K item is 12/24ths gold, etc. Karats may be expressed using a decimal figure, such as .416 fine gold (10K). The minimum allowable quality for karat gold is 9 karats.

Karats are not to be confused with carats (ct.), which are a unit of gemstone mass. One carat weighs 0.2 grams (1/5 of a gram or 0.0007 ounces). A hundredth of a carat is called a point.

Gold-Filled and Rolled Gold Plate = gold-filled, G.F., doublé d'or, rolled gold plate, R.G.P., plaqué d'or laminé

The quality mark for gold-filled is used for an article (except optical frames, watch cases, hollowware, or flatware) consisting of a base metal to which a sheet of at least 10 karat gold has been bonded. Additionally, the weight of the gold sheet must be at least 1/20th the total weight of the item. The quality mark may specify the ratio of the weight of the gold in the article to the total weight of the article as well as a statement of the quality of the gold expressed in karats or decimals. For example, a mark of "1/20 10K G.F." refers to a gold-filled article that consists of 10 karat gold for 1/20th of its total weight.

Rolled gold plate and gold-filled may utilize the same manufacturing process, but the gold sheet used in rolled gold usually is less than 1/20th the total weight of the article. The sheet must still be at least 10 karat gold. Like gold-filled articles, the quality mark used for rolled gold plate articles may include a weight ratio and a statement of quality (for example, 1/40 10K R.G.P.).

Gold and Silver Plate = gold electroplate, gold-plated, G.E.P., electroplaqué d'or or or plaqué, silver electroplate, silver plate, silver-plated, electroplaqué d'argent, plaqué d'argent, or the abbreviations of these terms

The quality marks for gold-plated indicate that an article has been electroplated with gold of at least 10 karats. The quality marks for silver-plated indicate that an article has been electroplated with silver of at least 92.5% purity. There is no minimum thickness required for silver plated or gold plated articles.

Silver Quality Marks = silver, sterling, sterling silver, argent, argent sterling, abbreviations of these terms, 925, 92.5, .925

The quality marks or a decimal figure may be used on articles containing a minimum of 92.5% pure silver. Some metals may be called 'silver' when, in fact, they are not (except in coloration). For example, nickel silver (also known as German silver) is an alloy consisting of about 60% copper, about 20% nickel, about 20% zinc, and sometimes about 5% tin (in which case the alloy is called alpaca). There is no silver at all in German/nickel/alpaca silver or in Tibetan silver.

Vermeil = vermeil or vermil

The quality marks for vermeil are used on articles made of silver of at least 92.5% purity and plated with gold of at least 10 karats. No minimum thickness is required for the gold plated portion.

Platinum and Palladium Quality Marks = platinum, plat., platine, palladium, pall.

The quality marks for platinum are applied to articles composed of at least 95% platinum, 95% platinum, and iridium, or 95% platinum and ruthenium.

The quality marks for palladium are applied to articles composed of at least 95% palladium, or 90% palladium and 5% platinum, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium or gold. Source

How To Invest in Copper

Here are five different ways to invest in copper and key risks to watch...

1. Copper bullion

You can purchase copper bullion just as you would gold bullion, buying it as coins or even bars. You’ll have the enjoyment of holding it and looking at it, but this form of copper investment has major drawbacks, too. Perhaps the key one is the need to safeguard your physical copper.

To turn a profit, you’ll need to see the price of copper rise, of course. But that’s the only means of making money here, unlike various other types of investing in copper below, such as mining companies, where they can grow production and the price can rise, offering a double whammy. You can purchase physical bullion through an online dealer such as APMEX or JM Bullion, or local dealers or pawn shops may have some for sale. Local collectors may also have some.

It’s important that copper traders note the spot price – the current price to transact now – so that they can make a fair deal. If you’re looking to invest in the metal itself, stick to bars rather than coins or collectibles that may charge you for the collectible value rather than the copper content alone. (These may not be made of copper, but here are 9 of the world’s most valuable coins.)

Risks: The big risk of owning bullion is that you have to keep it safe. If you have a big enough stake, then you’ll want to protect it. Another annoyance of copper is that at a price of about $4.30 per pound, you’ll have to lug around a lot of it to store much value.

But investing in bullion poses another major downside. You’ll lose a lot of value on the purchase and sale of the metal. Brokers will buy at lower than the spot price, so that they have a price and will sell at higher than the spot price on the other end. If you need the money quickly, you could take a significant hit on your holding, receiving much less than they’re worth on the open market.

2. Copper miner stocks

If you don’t want to own copper directly, you can instead own the companies that mine it out of the ground. For investors, this may be among the best ways to participate in the metal’s upside.

Investors in a mining company can lead to profit in two ways instead of just one, as with bullion. If copper prices rise, the output of the miner rises. If the miner can boost production over time, then they can turbocharge their profit potential.

Risks: If you’re investing in individual stocks, especially mining stocks, it’s vital that you understand the business well, and that may not be easy to do. Many miners are risky, so you can’t just pick a miner and hope for the best. You’ll want to look for a proven player, and it’s probably better to stay away from so-called junior miners without a strong, productive mine.

3. Copper miner ETFs

If you don’t want to get into the nuts and bolts of individual mining stocks – and few investors do – then you can opt for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that owns miners. Of course, many miners operate across different sectors – gold, silver and the like – so you’ll get a hodgepodge of mining companies rather than just pure copper plays, but it could be worth the diversification.

And since ETFs hold dozens of different mining stocks, your portfolio will likely be less risky than owning just a few individual stocks. You’ll be hurt less by any single stock’s underperformance.

Risks: A diversified fund can help protect you against a single company doing poorly due to specific things at that company, but it won’t help you when it comes to issues that affect the whole industry. So a downturn in copper prices or slower industrial activity may hit all copper miners, hurting performance despite diversification into multiple companies.

In addition, pay attention to the types of companies included in the fund. Some may have more established miners while others have riskier junior miners.

4. Copper futures

Copper futures can be a good way to play the rise in copper prices, and you can even play it the other way, too, if prices fall. The big advantage of using futures to trade copper is that you can use significant leverage to take a position, owning many more times copper than you could otherwise. If the price moves the way you like, you could turn a small sum into a large one fast.

Futures trading is for sophisticated investors, and you’ll need a broker that allows futures trading, and not all of the major brokers provide this service. Still, despite some drawbacks, futures are a way to make (or lose) money quickly on the moves of an already volatile commodity.

Risks: The impact of leverage in futures works both ways. If the price of copper moves against you, you’ll need to deposit money with the broker – called margin – to keep the position. Otherwise, the broker will close the position and you’ll suffer a loss.

5. Copper futures ETFs

Some ETFs do the work of trading futures contracts for you, making it easier to own and speculate on copper without the need for a futures account. You can trade the fund in a traditional broker account, with all the simplicity that involves.

One ETF here is the United States Copper Index Fund (CPER), which has an expense ratio of 1.04 percent. The fund is designed to reflect the performance of copper futures on the COMEX exchange and owns primarily copper futures contracts, though it may hold other financial assets.

Risks: A copper futures ETF may be a better pick to capture the short-term moves in the metal’s price rather than a long-term buy-and-hold. The fund charges a substantial expense ratio, and the nature of rolling future contracts can cause the erosion of asset value over time. Source