For enjoyment, a set is more than the sum of its parts, at least including the fun of patiently accumulating all the pieces need to fill it out. Is its resale value typically higher than that of the individual pieces? I'm looking at a series of 7 coins where a typical price per coin is $350 but there's a complete set on eBay for <$2000. Is this normal, or a bargain? To put it another way, if I had a set to sell, would I be better off splitting it up? The answer is "it depends", right? What does it depend on?
It depends on the same thing it always depends on - the coins themselves. But in almost every case, the coins as individuals are worth more than the set as a whole.
Sets rairly bring anymore money unless the set is "world class" Sets rairly bring anymore money unless the set is "world class" or something very special. For example a guy puts together a set of circulated Lincoln Cents. When he offers it to a dealer the dealer will generally quote a price for the key coins and some semi-keys. In effect he will (if he buys the set) get all the others for nothing. Dealers are not inpressed with complete sets they see them everyday so it is no big deal. If you can get sets in front of other collectors it's a whole new ballgame - they will pay more or at lease the total amount for complete sets if they need or want them. I have seen complete sets of the 50 state quarters, Unc. PR. clad and silver come in and a dealer will base his offer on the silver alone, in other words under $200 while the retail price for these sets is between $700 and $900. (it really scares me just how many of these sets will come in the next few years, wow!). The other factor is pedgree sets where some specialist or know numismatist puts together sets of really hard coins to find and that pedegree or notoriety of the set brings lots of attention, (and buyers). Also the more difficult the set is a plus - if for example a set of beautiful seated stuff all matched in fine, or Buffalo Nickels in VF you may get a better offer from both dealers and collectors. But this does not go for modern stuff - it's so common it's a crying shame and that's most sets after 1950 - dealers have this type of stuff stacked in hallways. So the answer like all answers is "it depends" as is of course the answer to all questions. Hope that helps.
