C hances are you have at least a few coins in a cookie jar at home that are worth more than their face value... some, possibly much more. Here are the most valuable coins that turn up in everyday collections -- and what to do when you want to sell them.

GOLD AND SILVER

US gold coins minted in 1933 or before -- when they were still in circulation -- sell for a few hundred dollars each and higher. Their original face values range from $1 to $20.

Silver dollars from 1935 or before. They sell for $7 and more, depending on the date and condition.

Extreme example: An 1804 silver dollar in immaculate condition was recently auctioned off for $4.14 million.

Half-dollars from 1965 to 1970. They are only 40% silver, but they bring 70 cents to 80 cents each.

1932 quarters, with an S or D mint mark below the wreath on the back. These can be valued at $30 or more, depending on their condition.

Quarters from 1930 or earlier. These are known as "standing Liberty" quarters. They are worth at least $1.50 each, as long as you can read the date.

New quarters with states on the back. There won't be much monetary value in them, even if you have complete collections. That's because everybody is saving them now.

Exception: Any state quarter that is stamped off-center is worth more than $100.

Pre-1965 dimes, quarters and half-dollars. They are made of silver and worth at least 3.75 times their face values.

Buffalo nickels dated 1913 through 1938. They are worth at least 35 to 40 cents each, as long as they're in good enough condition so you can read the date. If they're so worn that the date is illegible, they fetch only about 15 cents each.

Nickels from 1942 to 1945. They are made out of silver and have a large P, D or S mint mark above the dome on the back side. They are worth at least 15 cents to 20 cents each.

1950 nickel with a D mint mark on the back. Worth: About $4.

PENNIES

1955 "double-die" pennies. They are worth $500 and up. The imprint was struck twice, and it's very obvious to the naked eye.

Indian head pennies. They sell for about $1 each, as long as you can read the letters and the date on the coin.

Steel wartime pennies. Worth only about five cents each because there a lot of them tucked into people's dresser drawers.

Exception: 1943 copper penny. A man recently came to me with one -- his grandmother had saved it -- and we sold the coin for him for more than $30,000 in one of our auctions.

WHAT TO DO

Have old, rare or unusual coins appraised at a local coin dealer. Verbal appraisals are generally free.

If a coin is very valuable -- worth more than $5,000 -- you'll obtain the highest price by auction. Web sites can provide you with information about your coins -- and help you auction them...

www.coinuniverse.com Offers a price guide and an auction site.

www.numismedia.com Another excellent price guide and auction site.

www.coinlink.com Lists about 1,000 coin dealers plus associations and classified ads.

www.coinclubs.com Extensive list of clubs and coin shows.

www.abacoin.com Dealers list their inventories.