Just inherited coins? Do these seven things before cleaning, sorting or selling anything.
Estate coin guide

Why Coin Price Guides Are Only a Starting Point

Price guides can lag markets, assume grades and omit selling costs.

Inherited collections are often mixtures: ordinary circulation coins, bullion, collector pieces, old holders, world coins, tokens and paperwork. The goal is not to assign a perfect price immediately. The goal is to avoid losing information or selling a valuable subgroup as anonymous bulk.

1. Identify first

Identify first should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

2. Estimate condition cautiously

Estimate condition cautiously should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

3. Use more than one source

Use more than one source should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

4. Check recent sales

Check recent sales should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

5. Calculate net proceeds

Calculate net proceeds should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

Anti-ripoff rule: A confident buyer is not automatically a correct buyer. Ask how the offer was calculated, keep an inventory and compare at least one independent alternative for better material.

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