Contact UsFor over 35 years, AHS has been providing collectible coins from the U.S. and around the world direct to the general public. With over three million satisfied customers, our low prices and unique merchandise offers have made us widely respected as a purveyor of fine coins and other collectible items. Whether over the web, via direct mail, in print advertising or over the phone, AHS has had great success in providing our customers the most in-demand products in the marketplace. We are constantly searching for items that are not just unique, but a great value as well. If you are not completely delighted with the merchandise you receive, simply return it back to us within 30 days for a prompt refund, no questions asked. We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to serving you.
You can contact us by telephone at:
800-646-4856
For Website Orders & Information
Monday through Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm
800-541-7817
For Direct Mail Orders & Information
Monday through Friday 9:00am to 7:00pm
You can contact us anytime by email at:
customerservice@americanhistoricsociety.com
Or, if you prefer, you can mail us at the following address:
American Historic Society Website
889 Waverly Ave
Holtsville, NY 11742
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Special Note About Coin Value Requests
The value of any coin or coin set is highly dependent on the condition and grade of the specific coins involved. As such, it's impossible to determine the value of coins sight unseen. In addition, coin values change frequently.
For these reasons, our Customer Service Representatives CANNOT provide information regarding coin valuations.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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 Commonly Asked Questions |
| What does "Inaugural Strike" mean?
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| Our Inaugural Strike offerings are certified to be from the first day of release from the Mint.
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| What is the difference between "Inaugural Strike" and "First Strike" or "First Release"?
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| These terms generally mean the same thing. Different large coin dealers ofter have their own proprietary name for specimens from the first day of release at the Mint. American Historic Society's proprietary name is "Inaugural Strke".
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| Are you members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?
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| Yes, we're accredited members of the Better Business Bureau. We currently maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
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| Do you buy coins?
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| We're sorry, but we do not buy coins directly from the public.
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| What is the condition or grade of [specified product]?
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Most of our offerings include a reference to their grade or condition in the description on their product webpage. But, a few of our lower cost items do not include this information.
However, please bear in mind that we have a 30-day return for full refund policy, and we even pay for return shipping. This way our customers can judge for themselves, without risk.
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| Can you tell me the current value of [specified item]?
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We're sorry, but we only have information regarding items listed on our website.
Also, the value of any coin or coin set is highly dependent on the condition and grade of the specific coins involved. So it's impossible to determine the value of coins sight unseen. Your best bet is to take your coins to a qualified local coin dealer who can examine your coins in person.
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| Can you tell me the current value of a $20 St Gaudens Gold Coin Replica Coin? (Or other gold-clad replica coins or sets)
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| The value of these item is primarily aesthetic. They were intended as a way for collector's to appreciate the beauty of vintage US Gold coins without spending thousands of dollars on authentic specimens. They were never intended as an investment or a store of value.
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| What is your return policy ?
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| At American Historic Society, our customers’ satisfaction is our number one priority. We give you a full 30 days to examine each product, and if you're not 100% satisfied simply return it back to us for a full refund or replacement. We even pay for return shipping.
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| Is free shipping available on all orders?
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| Yes, free shipping is available on all orders.
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| What do MS70, PR70, etc. mean?
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Coins are graded on a 70 point scale called the Sheldon Scale. 70 is the highest possible grade and indicates a flawless specimen.
MS stands for "Mint State", meaning the coin has never been circulated.
PR indicates that a Mint State coins is a "Proof" specimen.
Other, less common, designations include RP (Reverse Proof) and SP (Satin Finish).
In all of these cases the 2-digit number that follows indicates the grade of the coin, with 70 being the highest, and 1 (poor) being the lowest possible grades.
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| General Questions |
| How long has American Historic Society been in business?
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| American Historic Society has been in business for over 35 years. Our website, AmericanHistoricSociety.com was established in 2009.
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| What is your mailing address?
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Our Mailing Address is:
American Historic Society Website
889 Waverly Ave
Holtsville, NY 11742
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| Do you still print catalogs?
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| We're sorry, but we no longer print a physical catalog. We consider our website, AmericanHistoricSociety.com to be our virtual catalog, where you can view our products and order whatever catches your eye.
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| Can I special-order an item not listed on your website?
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| We're sorry, but we can only take orders for items listed on our website.
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| Are you members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?
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| Yes, we're accredited members of the Better Business Bureau. We currently maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
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| Do you buy coins?
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| We're sorry, but we do not buy coins directly from the public.
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| Does AHS have a buy-back program?
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We're sorry, but we don't offer a buy-back program.
However, products returned for any reason within 30 days of delivery are always eligible for a full refund.
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| What is the condition or grade of [specified product]?
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Most of our offerings include a reference to their grade or condition in the description on their product webpage. But, a few of our lower cost items do not include this information.
However, please bear in mind that we have a 30-day return for full refund policy, and we even pay for return shipping. This way our customers can judge for themselves, without risk.
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| Where can I sell my coins?
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You have several options.
You can bring your coins to a local coin dealer who will evaluate them and make you an offer.
If coin shows periodically come to your area, this is an excellent option as well.
Online auction sites such as eBay are another method which many collectors use to sell coins they no longer wish to own.
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| Can you tell me the current value of [specified item]?
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We're sorry, but we only have information regarding items listed on our website.
Also, the value of any coin or coin set is highly dependent on the condition and grade of the specific coins involved. So it's impossible to determine the value of coins sight unseen. Your best bet is to take your coins to a qualified local coin dealer who can examine your coins in person.
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| Can you tell me the current value of a $20 St Gaudens Gold Coin Replica Coin? (Or other gold-clad replica coins or sets)
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| The value of these item is primarily aesthetic. They were intended as a way for collector's to appreciate the beauty of vintage US Gold coins without spending thousands of dollars on authentic specimens. They were never intended as an investment or a store of value.
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| I have an interesting coin/stamp/collectible and was wondering if you could tell me anything about it.
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| We're sorry, but we only have access to information about products listed on our website.
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| Are the coins and currency you offer on your website authentic or are they replicas?
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| All of the products offered on our website are 100% authentic. We no longer offer replica coins or currency.
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| How did you get my email address?
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We generally send emails to people who have either bought from us in the past, or have signed up for our Newsletter.
If you prefer not to receive emails from us, please click the Opt-Out link near the bottom of each email. Or you can call or email our Customer Service team, who will be happy to assist you.
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| How do I use the Coupon Code I was sent?
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You can enter your coupon code on Page 2 of our Checkout System, right below where you specify your shipping option.
Or you can place your order over the phone by calling the phone number listed on this page. Remember to tell the Customer Service Representative that you have a coupon code to use.
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| I tried to click the links in the emails, but they don't work.
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Many email browsers require users to enable links in emails, often by clicking on a bar or answering a question located directly above the email content.
Once enabled, the links should work fine.
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| How can I login to access my account?
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If you've set up an account and created a password, you can login to your account by following these instructions:
1.) Click on the "Sign In" link located at the top of the screen, above the American Historic Society Banner.
2.) Enter your email address and password where prompted and click on the button labelled "Sign in to Your Account".
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| I placed an order and haven't received a confirmation email. Why not?
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Sometimes the email system runs a little slow, so it might still arrive. Also, sometimes email providers route our mail to customer's Junk or Spam folders.
If you've set up an account, you can log in and verify that your order is correctly placed. Or you can call or email our Customer Service Team, who will be happy to assist you.
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| Why does your system allow customers to order items that you don't have in stock?
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We've learned that, for the most part, our customers prefer that we allow them to order items that are currently out-of-stock.
They find it inncovenient to have to keep checking back, and fearing that when we re-stock we might sell out again before they remember to check back.
By ordering now, even if it's out of stock, your "place in line" is guaranteed. And as coins and currency are very rarely a time sensitive purchase, our customers find our approach to be most convenient.
We only allow back-ordering for products that we have on order and have not doubt we'll be able to obtain. We also discontinue the practice in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as this is the one time of year where back-orders become problematic for our customers.
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| Order Status Definitions
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Awaiting Inventory:
1 or more items from an order are on back-order, and the order is on hold, pending product.
Partially Shipped:
Some Items have been shipped and charged for, but other out-of-stock items are still on back-order.
Awaiting Fulfillment:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) is ready to be fulfilled and will be included in the next daily shipping run.
Awaiting Shipping:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) has been transmitted to our packing & shipping center for processing today.
Shipped:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) has been shipped and is pending final charges being applied to credit card
Completed:
Order has been shipped and charged in it's entirety.
Awaiting Re-Ship:
One or more previously shipped items have been returned for replacement and will be replaced upon receipt of additonal inventory.
Refunded:
Entire order was returned for refund.
Cancelled:
Entire order was cancelled prior to being shipped and charged.
Pending:
Entire order is on hold pending review or administrative action.
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| Coin Collecting Basics |
| What do MS70, PR70, etc. mean?
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Coins are graded on a 70 point scale called the Sheldon Scale. 70 is the highest possible grade and indicates a flawless specimen.
MS stands for "Mint State", meaning the coin has never been circulated.
PR indicates that a Mint State coins is a "Proof" specimen.
Other, less common, designations include RP (Reverse Proof) and SP (Satin Finish).
In all of these cases the 2-digit number that follows indicates the grade of the coin, with 70 being the highest, and 1 (poor) being the lowest possible grades.
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| What does "Proof" mean?
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Proof coins are unlike regular coins because they undergo a specialized minting process, which begins by manually feeding coin blanks into presses fitted with special dies.
The coin is then struck multiple times so the softly frosted, yet detailed images seem to float above a mirror-like field. Proof coins look very different from regular coins and only a limited number are produced each year.
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| What does "Deep Cameo" or "DCAM" mean?
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Deep Cameo or DCAM pertains to Proof coins and indicates a level of contrast between the frosty surface of the portrait, and the mirrored surface of the background area around it.
Coins certified to be Deep Cameo Proof have a high level of contrast.
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| What does "Clad" mean?
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"Clad" coins have an outer layer of more valuable metal clad over an inner core of less valuable metal.
For example, modern Washington Quarters are minted with an outer layer a nickel-copper alloy with a solid copper inner core.
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| What is a "round"?
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A "round" is a circular bullion vehicle, most commonly minted from pure silver bullion.
Rounds are produced at private label Mints as opposed to the US Mint. As such, they're not actual "coins", and have been become known as "rounds".
Think of them as circular versions of silver bars.
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| What is a Troy Ounce?
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Precious metal weights are generally expressed in Troy Ounces and Troy Pounds.
Troy Ounces are roughly 10% larger than standard ounces - 31.1 grams to 28.3.
Conversely, Troy Pounds (which contain 12 Troy Ounces) are SMALLER than Standard Pounds (which contain 16 Standard Ounces).
A Troy Pound contains roughly 373 grams, whereas a Standard Pound weighs about 454 grams.
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| Are Proof coins supposed to be flawless?
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No. The term "Proof" refers to a finish type produced by a special production technique.
While this painstaking technique results in extremely well-struck coins, flaws do occur. In addition, scratches, tarnish, and other flaws can occur after production. Still, even a badly damaged Proof coin is still a Proof coin.
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| What does "Burnished" or "Satin Finish" mean?
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"Burnished" coins (also known as Satin Finish Coins). These special issue coins are minted in smaller quantities on special burnished blanks, which give the coin's background an air-brushed appearance.
Burnished coins are also sometimes referred to as "Burnished Uncirculated" coins.
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| What is a "Reverse Proof" coin?
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"Reverse Proof" coins have highly reflective mirror-bright images set above a frosted background area.
This is the opposite of "Proof" coins which have frosted images set above highly reflective mirror-bright backgrounds.
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| Coin Grading Questions |
| How can I tell if a coin has been independently graded?
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Independently graded coins come incased in tamper-proof clear plastic slabs which specify the grade of the coin. When you buy an independently graded coin you can buy with confidence.
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| Why do 70-Grade coins cost so much more?
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A coin graded 70 is considered virtually flawless. As a result, coins with a grade of 70 generally tend to appreciate in value far more quickly than coins of lesser grades. Even the slight difference in grade between 70 and 69 can be astounding.
For example, an independently graded MS-69 1996 Silver Eagle Dollar has a current of value of a little over $100, the same coin in MS-70 grade is valued at over $4000!!!
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| Why is the "Inaugural Strike" designation important?
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Specimens from the first day of release are desirable because they're minted from dies that haven't yet endured the wear and tear from a full production run.
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| What is the difference between "Inaugural Strike" and "First Strike" or "First Release"?
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| These terms generally mean the same thing. Different large coin dealers ofter have their own proprietary name for specimens from the first day of release at the Mint. American Historic Society's proprietary name is "Inaugural Strke".
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| What does "Inaugural Strike" mean?
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| Our Inaugural Strike offerings are certified to be from the first day of release from the Mint.
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| What do MS70, PR70, etc. mean?
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Coins are graded on a 70 point scale called the Sheldon Scale. 70 is the highest possible grade and indicates a flawless specimen.
MS stands for "Mint State", meaning the coin has never been circulated.
PR indicates that a Mint State coins is a "Proof" specimen.
Other, less common, designations include RP (Reverse Proof) and SP (Satin Finish).
In all of these cases the 2-digit number that follows indicates the grade of the coin, with 70 being the highest, and 1 (poor) being the lowest possible grades.
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| What does "Deep Cameo" or "DCAM" mean?
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Deep Cameo or DCAM pertains to Proof coins and indicates a level of contrast between the frosty surface of the portrait, and the mirrored surface of the background area around it.
Coins certified to be Deep Cameo Proof have a high level of contrast.
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| What is the difference between ANACS, NGC, and PCGS?
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ANACS, NGC, and PCGS are generally considered to be the Big 3 coin grading services.
While some customers seem to have developed a preference for one service or another, it's been our experince that they're all extremely reputable and reliable.
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| Why do you use ANACS for coin grading instead of NGC or PCGS?
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Actually, we offer a wide selection of items graded by all of the major grading services.
While some customers seem to have developed a preference for one service or another, it's been our experince that they're all extremely reputable and reliable.
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| I purchased a Brilliant Uncirculated coin and it has scratches on it. How can an uncirculated coin have scratches?
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While uncirculated coins have never been touched by human hands, they have had contact with other coins, and this contact often leaves scratches.
These are known as "bag marks" as they generally occur when the coins are stored in sacks at US Treasury facilities. When the sacks are moved the coins brush against one another, and inevitably some of them become scratched. This is one of the reasons that not all uncirculated coins achieve a flawless MS70 Grade.
That said, if you received your coin within the last 30 days, you can return it for a full refund.
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| Are Proof coins supposed to be flawless?
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No. The term "Proof" refers to a finish type produced by a special production technique.
While this painstaking technique results in extremely well-struck coins, flaws do occur. In addition, scratches, tarnish, and other flaws can occur after production. Still, even a badly damaged Proof coin is still a Proof coin.
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| Why are your MS70 Silver Eagles so expensive? I can buy Silver Eagles for less than half of that.
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Actually, our prices for certified MS70 Grade Silver Eagles are very hard to beat.
The Eagles that you can buy for much less haven't been graded. And only about 5% of Silver Eagles are deemed to be flawless MS70 Grade. As such they are highly sought-after by collectors.
Thus comparing prices of MS70 and raw Brilliant Uncriculated specimens is really a case of comparing apples and oranges.
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| Inaugural Strike Questions |
| Silver Eagle Questions |
| What's the silver content of Silver Eagle Dollars?
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Silver Eagle Dollars contain 1 full troy ounce of .9993 fine silver.
Every American Silver Eagle one troy ounce silver dollar is guaranteed by the U.S. government for weight, content and purity.
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| Where are bullion Silver Eagle Dollars Minted?
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Currently, bullion type Silver Eagle Dollars are minted at US Mint Facilities at West Point, and San Francisco.
From 2001 through 2010, Silver Eagles were minted exclusively at the West Point Mint. However, due to high demand, in 2011 and 2012 the San Francisco Mint has also produced bullion Silver Eagles.
Prior to 2001, Silver Eagles were minted at Mint facilities in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and West Point.
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| Where are Proof Silver Eagle Dollars Minted?
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Currently, Proof type Silver Eagle Dollars are minted at US Mint Facilities at West Point.
However in 2012 a special 2-Coin Proof / Reverse Proof Set is being produced at the San Francisco Mint.
From 2001 through 2010, Silver Eagles were minted exclusively at the West Point Mint.
Prior to 2001, Silver Eagles were minted at Mint facilities in San Francisco and Philadelphia,
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| How can I tell if 2011 or 2012 bullion Silver Eagles were minted the West Point or San Francisco Mint? Are there Mint Marks?
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Bullion Type Silver Eagles do not have mint marks.
For this reason, the only way to know for certain the source of 2011 and 2012 bullion Silver Eagles is to have them shipped directly from the Mint to a third party coin grading service such as ANACS, who can then certify the provenance of the specimens.
This is how we are able to offer bullion type 2011 and 2012 Silver Eagles from the San Francisco Mint.
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| Do Proof Silver Eagles have Mint Marks?
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Yes, Proof Silver Eagles do have mint marks.
From 1986 through 1992, proof Silver Eagles were minted at the San Francisco Mint and bear an "S" mint mark, with the exception of a special 1995 West Point Proof only sold as part of the 10th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set.
From 1993 through 2000, proof Silver Eagles were minted at the Philadelphia Mint and bear a "P" mint mark.
Since 2010. Proof Silver Eagles have been minted at the West Point Mint and bear a "W" mint mark.
However in 2012 a special 2-Coin Proof / Reverse Proof Set is being produced at the San Francisco Mint. These sets will bear an "S" mint mark.
No Proof Silver Eagles were minted in 2009.
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| Are Silver Eagle Dollars Legal Tender?
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Yes, Silver Eagle Dollars are legal tender with a nominal face value of one dollar.
Of course, the value of the silver content alone is many times that. So in practice, you wouldn't expect to see Silver Eagle Dollars used as payment at face value.
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| What is a "Reverse Proof" coin?
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"Reverse Proof" coins have highly reflective mirror-bright images set above a frosted background area.
This is the opposite of "Proof" coins which have frosted images set above highly reflective mirror-bright backgrounds.
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| Why are your MS70 Silver Eagles so expensive? I can buy Silver Eagles for less than half of that.
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Actually, our prices for certified MS70 Grade Silver Eagles are very hard to beat.
The Eagles that you can buy for much less haven't been graded. And only about 5% of Silver Eagles are deemed to be flawless MS70 Grade. As such they are highly sought-after by collectors.
Thus comparing prices of MS70 and raw Brilliant Uncriculated specimens is really a case of comparing apples and oranges.
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| Is it true that a cache of Silver Eagles was recovered from the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks?
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Yes, it's true. On September 11, 2001, COMEX owned a small hoard of 2001 Silver Eagles which were stored in the vault of the Iron Mountain Depository, deep beneath one of the World Trade Center towers.
Despite the fact that the building collapsed as a result of the terrorist attacks, the vault survived. It was discovered under the rubble and destruction about six weeks later.
On November 1st, 2001, the coins were taken by Brinks Armored Car Service directly to professional grading services for authentication and grading.
Each PCGS certified Gem Uncirculated coin was encapsulated in a tamper-proof holder along with a unique hologram "WTC Ground Zero Recovery" label.
The label certifies the coin's authenticity and the fact that it was one of the few artifacts that was legally allowed to leave the Ground Zero recovery site and enter private hands. The label is inside the holder and can not be altered without destroying the authenticity of the coin.
The reason these coins were allowed to leave the site was that, unlike almost everything else on the site, they were private property and their lawful owner could be identified. Even today, 10 years after the September 11th, attacks, the coins that were recovered from this vault remain the only genuine items from the Ground Zero recovery site that can be certified and legally sold.
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| Returns Questions |
| What is your return policy ?
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| At American Historic Society, our customers’ satisfaction is our number one priority. We give you a full 30 days to examine each product, and if you're not 100% satisfied simply return it back to us for a full refund or replacement. We even pay for return shipping.
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| I purchased a Brilliant Uncirculated coin and it has scratches on it. How can an uncirculated coin have scratches?
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While uncirculated coins have never been touched by human hands, they have had contact with other coins, and this contact often leaves scratches.
These are known as "bag marks" as they generally occur when the coins are stored in sacks at US Treasury facilities. When the sacks are moved the coins brush against one another, and inevitably some of them become scratched. This is one of the reasons that not all uncirculated coins achieve a flawless MS70 Grade.
That said, if you received your coin within the last 30 days, you can return it for a full refund.
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| Shipping Questions |
| Is free shipping available on all orders?
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| Yes, free shipping is available on all orders.
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| Do you ship outside the US?
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| We're sorry but currently we are only able to ship within the United States.
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| Do you ship to PO Boxes?
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| Yes, we can ship your order to a PO Box?
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| Do you ship to APO Addresses?
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| Yes, we can ship your order to an APO Address.
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| Can my order be shipped to an address other than the billing address for my credit card?
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| Yes, we allow orders to be shipped to addresses other than the credit card billing address.
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| Do you offer expedited shipping.
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In addition to our Free Shipping Option, we also offer UPS Ground Shipping for $9.95.
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| Does someone need to be home to accept delivery of my order?
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As a general rule, your order can be delivered even if no one is home.
However, in certain cases, such as orders for large dollar amounts, a signature is required for delivery.
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| Order Status Definitions
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Awaiting Inventory:
1 or more items from an order are on back-order, and the order is on hold, pending product.
Partially Shipped:
Some Items have been shipped and charged for, but other out-of-stock items are still on back-order.
Awaiting Fulfillment:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) is ready to be fulfilled and will be included in the next daily shipping run.
Awaiting Shipping:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) has been transmitted to our packing & shipping center for processing today.
Shipped:
Full order (or remainder of a partially shipped order) has been shipped and is pending final charges being applied to credit card
Completed:
Order has been shipped and charged in it's entirety.
Awaiting Re-Ship:
One or more previously shipped items have been returned for replacement and will be replaced upon receipt of additonal inventory.
Refunded:
Entire order was returned for refund.
Cancelled:
Entire order was cancelled prior to being shipped and charged.
Pending:
Entire order is on hold pending review or administrative action.
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| Payment Method Questions |
| What methods of payment do you accept?
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You can place an order using the following credit or debit cards:
American Express
Discover Card
MasterCard
Visa
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| Can I pay for an order using PayPal?
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| No, We're sorry, but we do not accept PayPal for payment.
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| Can I pay for an order using a check or money order?
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We can arrange for you to pay by check, but it takes considerably longer for you to receive your order.
If you'd like to do so, please follow these instructions:
1.) List the items and quantities that you'd like to order. Please include the Product Name and 5 digit Item # for each item you order.
2.) Mail your list of items, along with your shipping address, and your check or money order to:
AHS Website Orders
889 Waverly Ave
Holtsville, NY 11742
Please note: New York and Connecticut residents must include State Sales Tax.
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