For centuries, coins have been a key currency exchanged across the globe for goods and services. While old coins were originally made from gold and silver, nowadays, these pieces are forged from copper, nickel, and zinc. If you're curious about how these collectibles are made on a large scale in the United States, here's a quick guide to review. 

Processing Coins

The U.S. Mint has four production facilities that make the nation's coins. The six-step process starts with blanks or flat metal discs purchased from providers in the appropriate size, thickness, and material for pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars. Next, coins are annealed, or heated, to approximately 1,600 degrees. This action reduces tarnishing and ensures the pieces soften so they won't break when stamped. 

The third step is washing and drying the items, so they return to their original coloring. Next, the pieces are fed through an upsetting mill to create the raised rims, which reduce the wear and tear of the front and back and make the coins stackable. The fifth step is striking or pressing the design onto each disc. Lastly, the pieces are inspected, counted, weighed, and packed up for distribution. 

Rare & Collectible Old Coins

Because the U.S. Mint aims to be meticulous in every stage of the production process, it's rare for imperfections to make it past the final inspection step. As such, many old coins that become collectibles are valuable due to a small error.

Pieces with major imperfections are often destroyed or removed from circulation. Thus, finding an old coin with a special quirk makes it highly coveted and valuable on the antique or collector's market. For example, in 1964, some wheat pennies were mistakenly stamped with an "S" over the "D" mintmark. Limited edition designs and short runs of certain coins can also make them coveted due to the short supply.

If you're an avid collector of old coins, visit Hawaiian Islands Stamp and Coin in Honolulu, HI. Founded in 1973, this shop is known across Oahu for being the area's trusted source for the appraisal of rare coins and stamps. They also specialize in Hawaiian monarchy artifacts and letters. Call (808) 531-6251 today to chat with a friendly team member, and visit their website to view the current items available for purchase.