Actually I found this site by looking for info for a friend, but after reading some of the info I got interested myself. I inherited a lot of coins and paper money from my parents. I dont know what I have or if any are worth anything. I now some are very old. Some are in books, little display folders, and a bunch just loose. Where do I start or 1st how should I organize everything to find out what I do have.
I think you found the best place to start ;-) In regards to where to start with your collection, I think the first thing you need to do is to determine your goals. Do you have an interest in collecting paper money and/or coins? If not, does someone else in the immediate family have an interest? If you do not have an interest, do you wish to hold on to what you have inherited for sentimental and/or financial reasons? Or, do you wish to simply find out what the collection is worth with the intent to sell. Assuming you are interested in keeping some or all of what you have inherited, the first step will be to educate yourself. Go out and purchase the following books: The Official Red Book (Guide Book of United States Coins), The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money, Official ANA Grading Standards and any other speciality books based on the coins in your collection. These books will help you to catalog what you have, to learn about the different coins, and to start to understand the grading process. In addition to the books you will want to contact a local dealer to purchase (or find out where to purchase locally) some supplies and tools of the trade - gloves, a loop, holders, etc. - check out the following link to find a dealer in your area: http://www.money.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Membership/Dealer_Directory/default.htm Then you'll want to get yourself a subscription to the Grey Sheet (Coin Dealer Newsletter) which is basically the bible of dealer wholesale pricing on coins. This, along with some education, will start to give you some idea of the value of the coins you have. To subscribe electronically go to: http://www.greysheet.com/ If of course you are looking to keep the coins but have little interest in them other than as an investment of sorts, or possibly to pass down to another generation later, than consider contacting one of the dealers found through the ANA link to get an appraisal. You should at least determine the value and rarity of your holdings. If you want to dispose of the coins, again I would recommend contacting one or more of your local dealers or possibly attending a local show. At a show you have the benefit of being able to talk to multiple dealers to find one with whom you may be comfortable and whom you feel you can trust. Lastly, feel free to use this forum for information. Post pictures of coins you cannot find information on, ask our opinions on grading, values, or anything else coin related. We are all here to help and look forward to your posts.
