How Much Coin Knowledge You Actually Need (Spoiler: Not Much)
Do you need to memorize mint marks and grading scales? No. Generally, you only need to know three numbers.
The world of numismatics (coin collecting) is intimidating. You see people arguing about "VAM varieties" and "CAC stickers" and "MS-65 vs MS-66" and you think: "I need to read a textbook before I buy my first coin."
This is false. Unless you are spending thousands of dollars on rare museum pieces, 99% of that knowledge is irrelevant to you.
The "Minimum Viable Knowledge" (MVK)
To be a successful stacker (someone who accumulates wealth in silver), you only need to know three numbers:
1. Spot Price
What is the current global price of 1 ounce of silver?
- Check Kitco or our homepage.
- Example: $25.00
2. The Multiplier (for Junk Silver)
What is $1.00 Face Value of junk silver selling for?
- This encapsulates the spot price + the premium.
- Example: 18x Face Value ($18.00 per $1.00 face).
3. The Purity
- Pre-1964 Dimes/Quarters/Halves: 90% Silver.
- Kennedy Halves (1965-1970): 40% Silver.
- Nickels (1942-1945): 35% Silver.
- Modern Bullion: 99.9% Silver.
That's It.
If you know those three things, you cannot be easily scammed.
- You won't buy a 1972 Quarter (0% silver) thinking it's valuable.
- You won't pay $40 for a coin when the market rate is $25.
What You Can Ignore for Now
- Grading Standards: Whether a coin is "Good" or "Very Good" doesn't matter much for bullion. It's metal.
- Mint Marks: Unless it's a key date (rare), a 'D' or 'S' mint mark doesn't change the silver value.
- Toning: Some people pay extra for rainbows. You don't have to.
Start Simple: Stick to Silver Eagles or Roosevelt Dimes. They are the "Index Funds" of the coin world. Boring, effective, and require zero special knowledge.