General Instructions to Prepare Your Collection for Our Appraisal:

1. If coins are in coin albums, leave the coins in place and do not try to remove them. Some collections may be in 3 ring binders with plastic pages. Organize the pages by type, using the guidelines below. Under no circumstance should you attempt to clean any coins in any way!
   
2. If any coins are in hard plastic or boxed holders, leave them intact.
   
3. If coins are in rolls, and are labeled, leave them intact.
   
4. Organize loose coins by each type of coin by placing each type listed below into plastic baggies with a number count on a label or masking tape on each bag. Do not mix coin types within the bags.
   Sort as follows:
   1. Cents
      1. Lincoln, Memorial Reverse.
      2. Lincoln, Wheat Reverse.
      3. Indian Cents 1880 to 1909.
      4. Indian Cents prior to 1880.
      5. Flying Eagle Cents.
      6. Large Cents 1793-1857.
   2. Nickels.
      1. Jefferson Head.
      2. Buffalo or Indian Head (Full Date).
      3. Buffalo or Indian Head (Partial Date).
      4. Buffalo or Indian Head (No Date).
      5. Liberty Head or V type.
      6. Shield Type.
   3. Dimes.
      1. Roosevelt Head Prior to 1965.
      2. Mercury or Liberty Head Dimes.
      3. Barber Head Dimes.
      4. Liberty Seated Dimes.
      5. Bust Dimes.
   4. Quarters.
      1. Washington Head Quarters prior to 1965.
      2. Standing Liberty Quarters.
      3. Barber Head Quarters.
      4. Liberty Seated Quarters.
      5. Bust Quarters.
   5. Half Dollars.
      1. Kennedy Head Half Dollars prior to 1965.
      2. Franklin Head Half Dollars.
      3. Walking Liberty Half Dollars.
      4. Barber Head Half Dollars.
      5. Seated Liberty Half Dollars.
      6. Bust Quarters
   6. Silver Dollars.
      1. Eisenhower Dollars.
      2. Liberty Head or Peace Dollars.
      3. Morgan Dollars.
      4. Seated Liberty Dollars.
      5. Early Flowing Hair and Bust Dollars.
   7. Gold Coins.

    

5. If any World Coins are in hard plastic, cardboard or boxed holders, leave them intact.
   
6. Organize loose World Coins into the following groups by placing each type listed below into plastic baggies with the number count on a label or masking tape on each bag.

   A.     Copper, Aluminum and Nickel coins after 1965.
   B.     Copper, Aluminum and Nickel coins after 1900, but before 1965.
   C.     Copper, Aluminum and Nickel coins after 1800, but before 1900.
   D.     Silver coins after 1965.
   E.      Silver coins after 1900, but before 1965.
   F.      Silver coins after 1800, but before 1900.
   G.     All coins dated between 1700 and 1800.
   H.     All coins dated before 1700.
   I.        Gold Coins.
   K.  World Coin Proof sets and boxes should be left in their original holders.
   

7. On all United States Proof, Mint and Commemorative Sets, envelopes and boxes should be left in their original holders, unopened and organized by year.
   
8. Tokens and Miscellaneous materials should be sorted separately by type.
   
9. Unfold paper money and place flat in an envelope, ensuring as few  bends as possible to the note and its corners. With very old paper, be very careful.
   
10. Put all items that are unknown or unlisted above in a separate container.
    
11. Please provide a well-lighted, quiet area with a flat workspace. Normally a kitchen or dining room table is adequate. Plan to be present during the appraisal.
    
12. After the appraisal has been completed, it is best to keep the collection organized and labeled as specified above untill you make a decision concerning your plans for the collection.
    
13. Long-term storage can present a problem concerning the types of containers used. Some coin or currency containers will actually cause damage the longer they have contact with items. We will advise you about the best storage containers to use and the containers that should be discarded.
    
14. For security considerations, please consult "Tips for Collectors" Butternut Bites #4 and #5.