Should I sell collection or hang on to it

Virtually every coin dealer I bought from over the years has been a straight up honest guy.

However, if you want examples of dealers that regularly hose the public, look no father than stamp collecting. Unlike coins, so called world stamp "values" are outrageously high and bear no relevance to the market.

Collectors normally pay 20-25% of Scott for large collection remainders, and 50-75% catalog for individual stamps or sets. When time comes to sell, though, a dealer will offer a collector 4-10% of Scott and act like he's doing you a favor by taking the stamps off your hands.

The fiction that has been foisted off on collectors for many years is that catalog values represent the real market value and IMO is little better than outright fraud by stamp dealers.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

And the ignorance continues....

You're right; I am somewhat upset and is because I find it sad that you care more about spewing BS misinformation than you do the potential damage it can cause to someone foolish enough to believe it.

Please, James; have a little respect for others, will ya?

 

Since I work at a Coin Shop... I can tell you that the 50% is not real. We generally pay probably 60-70% or more on good, numismatically valuable coins. We base what we pay on the Grey Sheet, Not Retail Value. Most all dealers use the Grey Sheet. When you get into the Gold and Silver, we pay around $150-200 less than Melt for an Ounce of Gold as a general rule, unless it is something special. I would definitely say that EBay is a far better way to go, if you don't need the money TODAY. I sell on EBay constantly, and have no problems with the "Risk" of PayPal. As a matter of fact, I've NEVER had an issue with PayPal in my YEARS of selling on EBay. The only thing is, EBay charges you 10% of your sale. Other than that, it works great! For coins with Numismatic Value you can definitely get more there than from a dealer, as you are essentially the Retailer, and not selling to a Retailer. Anyway... that is my two-cents on it.

 

If your willing to do the work, post each on EBay and let the market do its thing. Save a few coins to remember your father and sell each one off individually and you will probably enjoy the journey your father went on collecting each one. I would definitely go that route and you might learn something new about your dad. Otherwise, sell it to a dealer if you don’t want to mess with it. Didn’t catch how old your son is, but if the money will be for him later... have him help you list them. Then in a way, it will be a learning experience. Good luck on whatever direction you go.

 

The only items that you’ve posted pictures for that are really worth anything are the $500, $1000 and the standing liberty gold.
And if that’s the whole collection it’s not worth anything close to $25,000. Not even half.

**I didn’t see the second grouping of photos you posted before posting the above comments.**

Still even with the second group there’s nowhere near $25,000 there.

I agree with what others have said, keep what you like and sell the rest.

Dealers are quick and easy but you won’t get the highest prices there. If you do go the dealer route, shop around to a few and go with whichever one gives you the best price.

eBay is a good route and you may get the highest prices there. But it is a lot of work and if you’ve never sold or bought on eBay before there could be a large and frustrating learning curve.

Don’t completely rule out craigslist. If you do decide on Craigslist do your homework first. Research what your coins are worth before posting them. Never give out your address and be weary of giving your phone number. Use the craigslist automated random email generator. If you do end up meeting someone, meet inside at a large public place. You could even meet at a police station.