Like it or not the flip of a coin decides the start of every NFL football game. In many ways the coin used decides who wins the game. The symbolism of the event is something that has been monetized for generations. Right now ahead of the Superbowl LVI you can buy 1oz silver rounds commemorating the two teams on the face of a “Silver Flip Coin” currently retailing at www.apmex.com for $149.99. What about the physical coin used and carried by the referee?

Collectors Dashboard evaluates collectibles as an alternative asset class. The same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds is being used to buy high-end collectibles. True sports collectors and hobbyists have a passion to own certain cards or memorabilia for quite a long time. The investor class in collectibles is solely buying an asset to sell at a later date for a profit. This keeps collectors and investors in a constant battle for who can win in auctions.

According to the professional football hall of fame the coin toss has been a part of professional football since its start in 1892. Not many changes have happened since that time:

• 1892-1920 — Captains of each team handled the coin toss themselves.
• 1921 — The referee performed the toss.
• 1946 — Note was added to the rule that stipulated that the toss was to be made prior to either team leaving field after their pre-game warm up.
• 1947 — Coin toss was moved to 30 minutes before the start of the game.
• 1976 — Coin toss was changed from 30 minutes to three minutes before kickoff.
• 1998 — While the wording in the rulebook remained the same, the procedure was modified to have the visiting captain call the toss before the referee tosses the coin instead of when the coin is in the air. Also, the back judge and field judge will stand by the captains throughout the coin toss ceremony to make sure there is no confusion over the call.

Commemorative flip coins are very popular and official reproductions are sold by the NFL, however exciting the value is equated as a temporary novelty. The collector will read terms like silver plated and Collectors Dashboard has warned of buying these style coins in the past if buying for the silver (or gold) value. However, it is possible to find the actual coin flipped before an NFL game. The NFL website auctions off the original game used coins. Here are some past official game-used flip coins that have sold:

• NFL Game Used Flip Coin Cardinals at Chiefs 11/11/18 was sold on November 23, 2018 for $430.00 after 13 bids. The coin was immediately available for bidding on the same day of the game and presumably immediately after fulfilling its intended function.
• NFL Lions Game Used Flip Coin [Game Not Specified] was sold on December 27, 2019 for $410.00 after 19 bids. The coin had PSA/DNA certification of authenticity.

And perhaps you saw where the interest was leading to. Currently available for the next 9 days is the game used 2021 AFC and NFC Championship Flip Coins:

Official, Game-Used Flip Coin from the 2021 AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals, January 30, 2022 with a current bid of $1,340.00 after 8 bids. The reserve has been met on the auction ending February 14, 2022.

NFC Championship Game Used Flip Coin – Rams vs 49ers 1.30.22 with a current bid of $650.00 after 9 bids auction ending February 23, 2022.

Also ending in 9 days is a Super Bowl 49 Game Used Football Patriots Offense/Seahawks Defense with a current bid of $2,740.00 after 28 bids.

Kickoff 2021 Game Used Flip Coin 9/9/21 Cowboys at Buccaneers that sold for $1,510.00 on September 27, 2021 after 47 bids. Numismatically the coin is a 2016 Walking Liberty 1oz silver dollar which usually sells for based on the current price of silver. Silver was not trading for $1,510.00 an ounce on September 27, 2021.

Super Bowl 53 Game Used Flip Coin 2/3/19 between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams sold for $6,650.00 after 146 bids on February 21, 2019. Andrew Young, John Lewis and Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr participated in the opening coin toss of the Super Bowl. Image below by NFL AUCTIONS.

While the future of flipping a coin at the start of an NFL game seems very secure, the collector should be wary of any coin described as a flip coin but not officially used. Documentation or authentication is very important. Imagine all the NFL games played where it was just another coin that went back into circulation afterwards?