Coin collecting is one of the most popular hobbies out there, but a coin’s value can be difficult to determine if you don’t know what to look for. That’s why you should always consult a trusted appraiser to tell if you have valuable coins. Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin in Honolulu, HI, has been the area’s top authority on old coins, stamps, and other collectibles since 1973.

Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin houses a wide array of unique U.S. currency—including gold and silver coins—as well as other rare and old coins from around the world. Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin President Don Medcalf has even served as the president of the Stamp and Coin Dealers Association of Hawaii, so he knows exactly what to look for.

According to the experts at Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin, here are the best ways to tell if you have valuable coins:

• Know What You’re Dealing With: Coin collecting is as much about research as anything else. You should do your homework to figure out exactly what kind of coin you have, its composition, and the date it was manufactured to help determine what its value might be.
• Determine The Grade: The physical condition of any coin is referred to as the grade. Grades depend on a lot of factors but can range from a grade of “poor” to “perfect uncirculated.” The former means the coin is extremely degraded and beat up, while the latter means the coin is in perfect condition. Almost all coins fall somewhere in between.
• Consult An Appraiser: There are many books on the market that can help you determine if your coin is valuable, but taking your coin to a respected appraiser like the team at Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin is your best bet to get an accurate estimate.

Make sure to put your faith in an experienced coin appraiser when you have any questions about a valuable coin. Call Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin at (808) 531-6251, or visit them online to learn more about Hawaii’s most trusted coin appraiser.