Coin Help coin values online are to be utilized as an average value for graded coins and not as an authority for exact coin values. Coin Help used the average value that coins have sold for, in the last few months or the last two or three years, at eBay, Heritage Coin Auctions and other online coin sales.

Only a few raw coin auctions were consulted for the guide's values, with the majority of the values being compiled from the final bid value of coins graded by PCGS, NGC, ANACS and ICG only.

It will be immediately realized, by the most serious collectors, that some coins might sale for more or less according to their eye appeal, toning, condition or the grading service holder they're housed in. In example, a Red Lincoln Cent is more desirable then a Red/Brown or a Brown color, therefore a choice red specimen will have a higher premium.

The same can be said for coins graded and authenticated by PCGS. Coins in a PCGS holder have a higher premium then coins in NGC, ANACS and ICG holders respectively. This is the case even when an NCG coin is obviously the same grade and condition as a PCGS encapsulated coin.

We took this fact into consideration and created an average, using all values, from all four of the most respected grading services combined. Coin Help realizes that not everyone owns coins in PCGS holders.

As of January 2011, while updating and compiling these value guides, it became apparent to us that high end graded coins have went down in value. This down-turn in values might not be reflected in the major coin price guides for various reasons that we will not comment on.

Coin Help determined that it would be best to reflect the most current trend in coin values by using final auction bids, when available, from the last few months to the last couple years. It's well known that the rise of precious metals has been the catalyst for lower values for most high end graded coins.

It just stands to reason that investor's buying efforts is in precious metal coinage and in the lower grades. It's also apparent that modern US Coins have took the biggest hit in values when compared to the older and obsolete coins in similar or the same grade and condition.