Coin Valuation Tracking

What This Page Is Not

NumisLens is not an appraisal service and does not generate market valuations. There is no algorithm that takes a coin's attribution and returns "this is worth $X." That would be misleading: ancient coin values depend on condition, centring, patina, strike, provenance, and current auction demand in ways that require expert judgement rather than table lookup.

What NumisLens does is record the valuations you attach to each coin — sourced from auction comps you have found, quotes you have received, spot prices for bullion-grade pieces, or formal appraisals — and reports them back with the method named, so the basis is preserved alongside the value.

The Four Methods

Each cabinet entry records a value plus the method used to arrive at it. The method is preserved alongside the value in every export, so a reviewer (an insurer, an executor, a future you) can see not only what the coin was valued at but on what basis.

• Auction comparison. A recent comparable hammer price from CNG, Heritage, NumisBids, ACSearch, or any auction source. Record the date, lot reference, and result. Most defensible method for non-bullion coins where comparables exist.
• Dealer quote. A price quoted by a specific dealer, with the dealer named and the date recorded. Useful for less-traded types where auction comps are sparse.
• Spot price. For coins where the intrinsic metal value sets the floor — bullion-grade Roman and Byzantine gold solidi, large silver pieces in low grades — spot price is refreshed automatically against current gold, silver, and bronze metal prices.
• Formal appraisal. An appraiser-produced document, with appraiser name, credential, and date. The most authoritative method for high-value pieces and for scheduled insurance above certain thresholds.

Purchase Price vs Current Value

The two are recorded separately. Purchase price documents what was paid for the coin, with the source (dealer name, auction lot, or private acquisition note) and the date. Current value records what the coin is presently held at, with the method named.

This separation matters for insurance schedules, which require the coverage basis to be defensible against later claims. A coin acquired at $400 in 2018 may be carrying a $1,200 current valuation in 2026, sourced from a 2025 auction comp. The schedule shows both: the acquisition record, and the basis on which the higher coverage is being requested.

How Valuations Flow to the Insurance Schedule

Every cabinet item carries its current valuation and method into the insurance export automatically. The schedule's cover page totals are computed from current valuations, broken out by method. A line item with no current valuation appears on the schedule with the valuation field flagged, so it can be addressed before the schedule is submitted.

See the full schedule format at the insurance export page.

Available on Both Plans

Valuation tracking, all four methods, automatic spot-price refresh, and the purchase-price / current-value split are included on both the free and Pro tiers. Pro removes only the 50-item cap on the cabinet itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does NumisLens tell me what my coin is worth?

No. NumisLens does not appraise coins or generate market valuations. It records valuations you supply, with the method named. For market pricing on major ancient series, the long-form reference guides on this site include auction-based pricing context, but those are informational and not appraisals.

What valuation methods are supported?

Four methods are tracked: auction comparison, dealer quote, spot price (for bullion-grade coins, refreshed automatically), and formal appraisal (with appraiser and date recorded).

Are spot prices updated automatically?

Yes. Coins valued by spot price refresh against current gold, silver, and bronze prices on a daily cadence. Coins valued by auction, dealer, or appraisal are static until you update them — the method is recorded with each valuation so the basis stays auditable.

Can I record purchase price separately from current value?

Yes. Purchase price (paid acquisition cost, source, date) is separate from current valuation. Standard for insurance schedules and tax records.

Is valuation tracking Pro-only?

No. Valuation tracking is on both free and Pro. Pro removes only the 50-item cap; the feature is identical on both plans.

Further Reading

For a deeper treatment of how ancient coin values are established — what makes a comp defensible, when to commission a formal appraisal, how condition affects value across the grade scales, and how to value coins where comparables are sparse — see the full guide:

Ancient Coin Valuation: A Collector's Guide →