Demand is pushing up values for circulated coins virtually across the board. Exceptions include circulated early commemoratives, those minted between 1892 and 1954, and, of course, coins struck after the silver era ended in 1964.

The market price of silver bullion has pushed up values for silver coins such as dimes, quarter dollars, half dollar and dollars. But in addition to climbing silver values, real demand from collectors is being experienced for these relatively inexpensive coins.

The grades of Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated are most popular because these coins show almost all of the original details of the coins. About Uncirculated coins should show minimal friction on their high points, but no flattening wear.

Coins grading Extremely Fine should show a little bit of flattening from wear on their high points.

However, coins with weak strikes are often mistaken by some collectors as having wear. Examples that come to mind are the 1923-S Lincoln cent, which has a normally weak reverse, especially in the wheat ears.

1940-S and 1941-S Walking Liberty half dollars are often very weak in the center on both sides. Liberty's left arm often appears flattened, as do the skirt lines. And on the reverse of these coins there's usually a flat spot on the bottom half of the eagle's breast.

Similarly, many Morgan dollars, especially those struck at the New Orleans Mint, have weakness on the eagle's breast, obscuring the feathers. Many people confuse this weakness with wear.

Such weakness is most often reflected in the prices for such coins. Those same issues that are unusually strongly struck sell for premiums over listed values, whether they're in Mint State condition or slightly circulated.

It is also important to note that circulated coins with contact marks that stand out, or that bear other blemishes – like spots – that distract from the overall look of the coins, sell for discounts below listed values.

Great rewards can be achieved by buying circulated coins in bulk and searching them. Examples include buying bulk circulated 90 percent silver coins or bulk groups of Indian and "Wheat" cents. Rewards also await those searching through containers full of circulated coins at coin shops and shows.