Christopher's Rare Coins

A Johnston coin and currency shop with operator-reported Des Moines-area roots in 1980 and appointments for larger collections.

Coins, notes and tokens in Johnston

Christopher’s Rare Coins describes a collecting business covering U.S. and foreign coins, currency and tokens. Its Johnston shop also offers collection evaluations. These are different reasons for a visit: you might be developing a collection, identifying an unfamiliar object or deciding what to sell.

Choose the purpose before opening a box of material. A collector trying to fill a gap will need a different conversation from a family sorting an inherited group. A short inventory and a clear question can make either discussion more focused.

Source: collecting and evaluations

Des Moines-area roots in 1980

The operator says its locally owned business has served the Des Moines area since 1980. That regional history should not be read as the opening date of the Northpark Court shop. A separate date for the present Johnston premises is not established here.

Source: company background and services

Keep identification separate from the offer

The published services include gold and silver bullion as well as coins, currency and appraisals. The collecting page discusses examining condition and identifying features before an evaluation.

Ask for the identifying description before discussing a price: country or issuer, denomination, date and any relevant variety. For a note, preserve its existing folds and holder rather than trying to improve its appearance. Record which features drive the assessment so that you can compare like with like later.

Source: company background and services · collecting and evaluations

Give a larger collection its own appointment

Use 8671 Northpark Court, Johnston, IA 50131, or call 515-251-4031. The shop permits unscheduled small-collection visits but asks customers with larger collections to book ahead. Appraisal charges apply; ask which arrangement fits your material.

The website notes a daily lunch closure. Confirm the intended day and a suitable arrival time directly before making a special trip, especially if you are bringing a collection for evaluation.

Source: Johnston contact information · collecting and evaluations · education page and visiting notice

Take a short list

Three questions for the counter

Should this collection be booked for an appraisal, and what charge would apply?
Which identifying features and condition issues are most important for these coins or notes?
Can you confirm the opening and lunch arrangements for the day I plan to visit?

Sources & review notes

Confirm stock, visit arrangements and transaction terms directly. Inclusion is not an endorsement or a guarantee of pricing, authenticity or service.

Christopher’s Rare Coins: company background and services (opens a new tab)
Locally owned business reports Des Moines-area activity since 1980. Services explicitly include coin appraisal, coins and currency, and gold and silver bullion.
The 1980 date concerns the business in the Des Moines area, not the opening of its present Johnston premises.
Christopher’s Rare Coins: collecting and evaluations (opens a new tab)
U.S. and foreign coins, currency and tokens; small collections can be brought in without scheduling, while larger collections require an appointment. Appraisal fees are described.
Ask about the applicable appraisal charge and arrange a larger collection visit ahead of time.
Christopher’s Rare Coins: Johnston contact information (opens a new tab)
8671 Northpark Court, Johnston, Iowa 50131; 515-251-4031; daily lunch closure.
Telephone before a special trip to confirm that day’s opening and lunch arrangements.
Christopher’s Rare Coins: education page and visiting notice (opens a new tab)
The education-page visiting notice confirms the daily lunch closure and shows the same weekly schedule as the contact page on this read.
Schedules can change; confirm the day you intend to visit and allow for the lunch closure.

No current prices, stock feed or live opening status is provided. History is operator-reported; this is not a first-hand shop review.