1) I have read that one should not expect to get melt for these coins. Is that true? 2) If so, what is a reasonable price to ask? 3) I see a few error varieties listed in Cherrypickers, Ken Potter's book, and various websites. But are any worth more than a few bucks? 4) What are the pros and cons of the different places to liquidate them: - eBay, Craigslist, LCS, here, elsewhere ?
Here's a few ideas on #4: Cons -------- eBay: fees, shipping Craigslist: serial killers LCS: lowest payout? Pros ------- eBay: larger audience Craigslist: no fees LCS: "safest"
A quick glance of ebay shows that people are asking more than melt. Doesn't mean they are getting what they are asking for. I'll bet that if you sold them for slightly more than melt on ebay you'd fare better than your LCS even after fees. That dealer has to turn a profit on them. It doesn't hurt to ask though. Call a couple of places and ask what they're paying for 40% halves.
Searching sold listings for 40% half roll on FeeBay, I see there have been a lot of them sold for around $65. Melt value is $59. After fees and shipping, you might be getting a little under melt. LCS will probably offer less than you'd get after fees and shipping on FeeBay, but they're convenient and safe, but you'll never know what they're offering till you ask. I've heard of some markets where coin stores actually pay more than melt for junk silver because they are able to sell it for considerably more than melt. Other markets are the opposite where dealers pay considerably less than melt for junk silver because they're lucky if they can sell it for melt. Craigslist can be safe if you are careful. (If possible, don't disclose your identity or address, meet in a public place like your bank, never agree to ship anything for a sale on CL, only accept cash, etc.) 40% halves listed here seem to fetch a little under melt shipped.
I believe the typical consensus here, and one that I adhere to when buying them, is that you can expect to get about 90% of melt. Ebay is pretty reliable, but even tho the auction will go above melt, after fees you're right back into that 90% of melt value. LCS might be good, also since you might be able to bargain and maybe trade the silver in for something there and get more than if you just straight out sold them. If you list on here for 90% of melt I'm sure it'll sell pretty quick.
