Seeking Advice: Selling Inherited US, World Coins, Proof Sets, & Paper Money

Can't say for everywhere, but around here, a fair bit ends up as club door prizes and/or freebies for youngsters at shows.

 

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Here I'm up to my elbows in it and climbing.

 

As a non-dealer collector my whole perspective changed when I sold most of my collection prior to retirement. Even though most of what I sold wasn't junk, several local dealers who liked my coins just didn't have the resources to buy them since they had just purchased several large collections.

My collecting goal now puts quality over quantity. I'm making sure to leave instructions for my heirs of how and where to sell my collection if something happens to me.

 

I say almost the same thing but I have changed the "if" to "when".

 

I hear you. When is coming sooner than later. I just want to enjoy it while it lasts. Hopefully I can get my son more interested in the hobby so he'll keep my collection and enjoy adding to it.

 

David, Does having a detailed inventory make any difference? I've developed a spreadsheet with 3 separate tabs.

1. Individual Coins listing: Country of Origin, Coin Denomination, Year, Type with Obverse and Reverse depictions, Mint, Quantity, and condition. The latter being based strictly on circulated or uncirculated.

2. Proof Sets: Country, Type of Set, Year, Proof Set Details (e.g., Last Coins of the San Francisco Mint: US Proof Set Lincoln Leaf P/N/D/Q/ Ben Franklin 1/2D with Liberty Bell on back of 1/2D), Mint, Quantity, and condition.

3. Paper Money: Country (e.g., 2nd German Empire/Germany post-WWI; Germany pre-WW2; Germany Third Reich; Germany Post WW2); denomination; year, obverse motto, series with color annotated, serial number and its color, obverse and reverse images with main color(s) annotated, quantity, and condition. The latter being: crisp, torn, wrinkled, stained, or pristine.'

Thanks!

 

I prefer to sort and list myself. I do it every day and, through sheer repetition, have gotten very good at it.

Mostly it's about being able to sort by value instead of the qualifications collectors use.

But I understand the joy in making an inventory even among non-collectors.....if there is such a thing and will take things either way.

Being the only dealer in a 40 mile radius and will a hard-earned good reputation, I get as many as three estates or collections a day. Sometimes though, I will go weeks without seeing a thing and then the sky might open up and rain coin collections.

 

I don't know if you still have the collection, but I travel through Huntsville a couple times each year. I've been collecting for over 35 years, and would be willing to meet you somewhere the next time I come through there, and check out your collection, and give you an idea of what it's worth, or possibly purchase it if you agree with the price.

If you're interested in this, and you still have the collection at that time, you can let me know by leaving me a message here.

So sorry about the loss of your mother, and as mentioned in several other previous posts, you should keep any items that have that special significance of the time spent with your mom.