My mother has ask me to try to sell a bag of coins my father had collected over several years. HELP?

Answer 1

1 - Take your coin to a local coin dealer (trustworthy ones can be found - shop around). It never hurts to get a second opinion. They will be able to tell you so much more by evaluation the condition of the coins. They will also know the amount minted and what it is going for in today's market.

2 - Try posting pictures on this website (there are many experts here that can help you evaluate it - there also may be people willing to buy if you are trying to sell):
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/default.asp

3 - Repost this question and include pictures. You can use websites like http://www.photobucket.com and include the link in your question.

Good luck!

P.S. You should not clean your coins. Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.

When cleaning, the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.

Your best bet is to leave the coins alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin. Also if you ever wanted to send your coin into a grading company, they can recognize signs of cleaning and will send your coin back in a "cleaned" slab (also called a "body bag" in the coin world) - which is usually a greatly decreased value.

If you absolutely must must must clean your coins do not use the method described above as it will react with the metal in your coin. Use 100% acetone (do not use fingernail polish remover!). It must be 100% pure because other additives will react with the coin metal. Place your coin(s) in the solution for several minutes (do not leave in for long periods of time). Rinse your coin(s) in distilled water. Next remove your coins and either pat dry with a soft cloth or allow the coin to air dry (air drying is better as you don't risk scratching the coin with the cloth). NEVER scrub your coins!

I would still advise you to leave your coins as they are. They may not be bright and shiny but that is what most collectors prefer.

Answer 2

I see there are a lot of answers here, but it seems from the way you asked your question you know nothing or very little about coins. In that case I would take them to a couple of coin dealers and see what they say. Now if they are U.S. coins you could get a Coins or Coinage magazine and look the coins up. The values are higher than a dealer will pay plus you don't know the grade of the coins unless listed. It at least would be a guide to let you know if one of the coins is valuable. Say, if it lists or $50 in grade good then you know it is a scarce coin. The magazine will help you at least get an idea of what you have. Not knowing coins, keep away from eBay. One other point make sure the dealers actually deal in the coins you wish too sell. U.S. coin dealers know little about world coins.

Answer 3

I have collected coins for 45 years. The below link will take you to the most reputable coin grading company around. There is more info on coins and there value there than you probably need so try the second link to get coin prices.
If you go to a coin dealer for a quote get it in writing and compare prices on the website to what the dealer offers.
You may not have much or you could have a real treasure trove.
Good luck.
PS..I am assuming that dad has passed away.

Answer 4

I agree with all previous answers.
You shouldn't be selling your Dad's coins without his permission, regardless of anything your Mum says. It's a matter of ownership, and your selling them may even be illegal. Do you want to go to jail?
If you have permission from the real owner, then my second question relates to how much time you have to achieve your goal.
A day? Go to more than 1 coin dealer in your area, have them valued, and sell to the highest bidder.
A week? Ebay them.
A month? Sell them one by one to museum and/or historical societies.
Please keep in mind the more time, energy and money devoted to this, the greater the profit you will get back, and don't rule out sending them internationally because some of the most passionate collectors live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Your coins could end up as the property of a King or Prince, if you play it smart, and you can just imagine what they're willing to pay you for them.

good luck.

Answer 5

I can help, email me with the dates, coin type and mint mark, and how much wear the coin has and I can grade them and give you a rough value, scanned pictures are better, I can grade them more efficiently that way. I am an avid collector and pay much more than dealers do, dealers are always looking for someone who has inherited coins so they can rip you off. I would recommened consigning them to a local auction with a good reputation or sell them on ebay, ebay gets the highest prices I have ever seen for coins but you have to know how to grade them first. feel free to email me at [e-mail] and I will be glad to help.

Answer 6

Take it to a local coin shop and have them look at the coins and tell you what they are worth. Write down what they tell you and then go for a second look to another shop in a nearby town. Go home and compare notes. Any big discrepancies in price on an item mean one of the dealers may have misquoted you. Set those aside and sell the other ones.

You can also go to yahoo search and look for coin price guides.

Answer 7

Take the coins to a coin store to find out what they are worth and to get an offer from them. You'd probably get better prices on ebay, though, but it will take time, and you'll have to have a good understanding of what you are selling in terms of knowing what the coin is and how to grade them for coin collectors.

Answer 8

If i were you i would research them on the web and try to find there value because people will cheat you and buy them for much less than there worth and then after u research them then sell them.

Answer 9

either eBay, or find out where and when the coins came from and try to find a historic museum that would buy your coins.

Answer 10

Do the right thing here, take the bag of coins to your father; they belong to him. Then tell your mother to never put you in a position that you have to choose between the two of them again.

If she needs money that bad, get her a job flippin burgers.

Morals, apparently she doesn't have any.