Coin collecting?

Question

Several years ago my uncle died. He left quite a coin collection--not in any order-just gobs of coins. My aunt knows nothing about coin collecting or what to do with the coins--and neither do I. Does anyone know who she could contact (trustworthy and honest) to see about the coins or what her first step might be in organizing them and then selling them off?

Answer 1

The only one that can really help is a coin dealer. If he has a store and has been there a while he should be reputable. There is no reason you can't see two dealers. See if there is a coin club in your area that will assist you in going through the items and putting them into some sort of order. Another thing get a coins or Coinage magazine, Wal-Mart even has them. The prices in there are retail and I know you don't know how to grade, but use it as a guide. If you look one of the coins up and in grade good it lists for .05 and in say extra fine it is worth .50, then you know it is not a valuable coin and worth little, the dealer may not even want it. On the other hand if it list for $4 in good and $75.00 in extra fine you have a seller and you know about what it will sell for. Most dealers try to sell coins at less that the magazines list, it is good for business. Being prepared pays off in the end, just like me knowing more about the coins I buy than the dealer, also pays off in the end. Hope I have helped some.

Answer 2

There are quite a few websites that show the value of coins. The coins in best condition are worth more...best condition means that the lettering etc. all still stand proud of the coin and are not smoothed away.

Also there are certain years where particular coins have more value as they are rare. Many sites list these too.

Answer 3

Well, the VERY first thing she should do is take the coins to an appraiser. THEN find a different appraiser and get a second opinion. Obviously, don't go to a guy standing in the back alley to find a worth, you are more likely to get ripped off. Find reputable sources, and ALWAYS be weary of the guy that says, 'Oh, you couldnt get more than blah for this coin....I will buy it off of you now if you would like..."

Answer 4

you will possibly in all probability be better served in case you began regionally and actually visited a coin collector-based corporation. a minimum of right here in Boston, there are various brick-and-mortar companies that deal in money. they have books and different ingredients and may additionally steer you proper approximately issues like having money authenticated and sealed in hermetic sleeves - something i did not be conscious of approximately for some years because of the fact my coin amassing in straight forward terms picked up the place my dad had left off, and he had fairly no concept!!!! you fairly need to speak with somebody in a save that truly sells money; do not depart it to an internet site: there are too many "cons" on line.

Answer 5

A couple of things to do prior to taking them anywhere. Group them by type - first if they are from different countries, separate them, if US( penny, nickel, quarter, etc)
Look through them and group them by dates (1700-1799, 1800-1899, 1900-1910,1920,1930, etc)
Get a book on coins from the first date you find, look up the ones that look like they might have potential.
Separate them, and take them to a Numismatic Dealer. Sometimes your local bank can recommend a reputable one in your area.
The rest, you can just put in coin wrappers and trade them in.

Answer 6

Try categorising them by country, then denomination, then by year.

If they are rare or really old then I'd suggest taking them to your local antiques shop. The person there should be able to value them for you or refer you to a coin specialist.

Hope this helps.