Not sure if this type of post is allowed, but

What is the best way to sell a large collection of ancient coins? I need to liquidate and fast, but I'm unsure. The ebay market is tough, and if I sold the whole I know I can't get as much as they are worth individually, any good outlets to sell?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

You could list in ‘For Sale’ section here on CT.

 

What type of material is it?

 

I have a plethora of Ancient roman, greek, byzantine, and some other odds and ends. And a large sum of US but ill stick to Ebay for those.

Mostly bronze, some silver

 

It wouldn't hurt to post some on the b/s/t here and see what you can sell that way. Easier than other avenues. I also may be biased because I'd like to see some and perhaps have a shot at them lol.

 

You say you need to liquidate fast. How fast? You may ask @John Anthony if he is willing to offer your coins in one of his auctions here on CT, but I don't know how fast he can sell them for you.

 

Obviously you could consign to one of the auction houses, but it could take quite a few months from the time you consign until you receive the proceeds. So about five years ago, when I had to liquidate my collection of British gold and silver coins and historical medals accumulated over a 30-year period, because I needed money right away, I sold them directly to Stack's Bowers (which, of course, deals in ancient coins as well). They paid me about 40-50% of retail value, which I'm sure was less than I would have ended up with by consigning them to an auction (even with seller's fees), but the consolation was that I received the money immediately instead of having to wait 6 or 7 months. And I had bought most of them so many years earlier that I still ended up receiving more than I had paid for them. I don't know how many other major auction houses also buy coins directly, but Stack's can't be the only one.

 

ditto

 

I will third this option as well. He has done some great auctions.

 

I don’t know where you live but I know an honest, well respected dealer in Georgia that can help (PM if you need his info). There’s also the ANA National Money Show in Atlanta this weekend. Multiple ancients dealers in attendance. You can dump off there too.

 

yup

 

The B/S/T threads are free of course, you can try them and if no sales at your expectations, do the other alternatives. There are many interested in ancients on the form as you well know. Some dealers-to-be might also be interested in bulk lots at your price. Jim

 

I know @Bing had run his own auctions last year via Google spreadsheet and email/PM... You can ask him how it went and how he made it happen.

 

I've always had great success on Forum auctions. Free to list, no fees for buyer or seller, and if the coins are good they bring strong prices.

 

Choosing the proper venue is a very important decision. The venue you choose, though, depends on the nature of the collection you are trying to liquidate. You mention it is "ancient" -- is it Greek, Roman, non-classical civilization? Is the collection large because it consists of numerous inexpensive, low-grade bronze coins, or is it large because it was accumulated over years by a collector of means who spent three and four figures per coin? The place to sell hundreds of high-grade silver staters of the various Greek city-states is different than the venue for four hundred late Roman bronze AE III and AE IV coins that were acquired as uncleaned or bulk lots.

Most collections are somewhere in between, containing several high-quality, prized items and a lot of mid-grade coins and several coins that many auction firms would simply pass on. If you need money fast -- but not necessarily all at once --you may wish to sell the best coins outright to a high-end auction firm, consign the medium-value coins to an auction firm that handles that sort of material, and try to sell the low-value coins individually or in small lots yourself on eBay or V coins auctions. This way, the most valuable items bring in the needed cash quickly (albeit at a loss), with the harder to sell items bringing in money slowly over time, but sold at a price closer to their market value, being sold at public auction rather than wholesale to a dealer.

 

How many coins do you have to sell?

When were they bought?

Where were they bought?

Are they all attributed?

What is the general quality?

These answers will help a lot in deciding who would be willing to buy them or sell them for you.

John

 

There honestly aren't many better venues to reach the maximum number of potential buyers than ebay. Greek coins do very well on ebay, as do the more rare/desirable Romans. Common Romans ($10-50) are a craps shoot but average out in the end. Non-classical civilization coins (Celtic, Persian, Indian, Chinese) shouldn't be listed for less than you'd take, because the market for them is comparatively weak.

If you have a large number of low value coins ($5 or less on average) list them as a big lot. I've sold several large lots and almost always come out ahead - even buying large lots from auction houses to re-photograph and list on ebay.

 

Also, John Anthony (of this CT group) sponsors auctions and is presently helping me sell my Ancient Greek coin reference books. (JAZ Numismatic Auctions 156)
I recommend you check him out,
J.T.

 

You do not give enough information for anyone to be able to help. The fastest way is to find a dealer willing to buy what you have for cash but few would consider this unless the coins were easy sellers (no junk, no low priced commons, not too many of the same thing). Fewer would have $100,000+ to buy a large collection. This will get the least money but it would be fastest. We do not know you or your coins so we could not suggest someone that would be a good fit. Many more dealers will take consignments but that will delay considerably when you get your money. You might get more money but it could be at least a year before you get it if, in fact the collection is 'large'. Most dealers I know worth anything really don't care if they are attributed. Other than that, I can agree with Theodosius but would want to add that the only important thing is how long it will take whoever owns the group to move them along at the price you are willing to accept. No one wants to tie up a large sum on slow moving coins. Also define "ancient" as you are using it. I know people who use that term for anything older than they are. If you are in a big rush and the coins are decent, a buyer can be found. If you are deluded about their quality and expect over a good return from what you paid, any sale will take longer. Ask the question again with full details.