Pamela C. asks: What does FACE VALUE of a coin mean?
Face value is the denomination – the original intended value of a coin. For example, a nickel has a face value of 5 cents, a dime has a face value of 10 cents, a quarter has a face value of 25 cents etc. “Premiums” are about how much a coin’s collector value might be. For example a 1936 Buffalo Nickel in uncirculated (new) condition might have a premium value of $15 but has a face value of 5 cents.
The phrase face value is most frequently used today in reference to U.S. 90% silver coins that are sold in bag quantities of $1000 face value. For instance, a $1000 bag of silver coins could contain 10,000 dimes, 4000 quarters or 2000 half dollars. Accordingly, $2.50 in face value could be 25 dimes or 10 quarters or 5 half dollars or any combination that adds up to $2.50 in value.
