Attending my first Coin Show

For some material that will get you good overall prices. trying to get as close to retail value would be by selling to other collectors directly which would not be a fast process if you have time you can do that, but it won't be very speedy...unless your prices are too low.

You balance the exposure and service of the auction houses (payments, shipping) vs max return. eBay sucks as it takes 10% plus Paypal has a cut (3-4%) and you have to deal with the shipping/fraud etc. Great Collections has a lower fee and will handle raw coin submission and can be a great venue for the 69/70 modern coins. You may personally only run into one or two people interested but the auction houses will have orders of magnitude more.

Same for the rarities...there is the book value, the retail shop price, the auction house price, dealer offers, peer to peer sales whicha are all different. The true rarities will be hard to move yourself...either not finding a peer or a low offer from someone who has to risk it in inventory for awhile. That's why the auctions (not eBay) are attractive IMO.

 

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Great Collections ends up being a 15% fee plus whatever listing fee if any for items under a $1000, remember buyers are paying 10 percent buyer fee there. Over 1k it drops to 10% as the seller fee is waived. The big advantage being that you don't have to directly deal with taking payments or the buyers which has a value to it. With the possible exception of straight bullion GC or eBay will usually net sellers a higher price than selling to dealers

 

For the O.P., can't figure out how to answer your inquiry, but thanks for the kind words.

 

I just wanted to let you know I took your advice and went with an auction house.

If you're interested in seeing it, it can be found here: http://www.foxvalleycoins.com/ scroll to the bottom and enter the auction. Anything with a lot number starting in "3" is my collection. Thanks for your advice so many months ago!

 

Just adding to the mix. I recommend that you don't sell at that show; you'll do better as you learn more. Write down the top slabs and their grade and cert numbers and ask dealers what they would pay. If you find the right price, get his/her card.

 

20% Internet bidding premium? I'll pass...

 

Heritage is close, and a lot of the other ones have similar...just factor it in with your bidding---figure your 'all in' and adjust for fees/currency exchange rates accordingly. Assuming you see something you want to bid on of course.

 

Sorry, I don't have the time to do that. Watching and experiencing a couple of shows before selling is doable, buying at the first one is my goal, but I'd go to a coin shop first before I'd spend so much time at coin shows. I also want a chance to learn from a variety of dealers about coins, and I think a show would be a good place to do that. So I do want to go to a show, and learn the best way to sell the coins I have.