Looking for some help and/or advice
luckydolphin
Posts: 7
At one time, my father had an excellent collection. However, when he passed on, it was eenie-meenied out of the holders and books and into coffee cans. Whole sets were divided. UGH. I am pretty sure that I have some really nice pieces, but hardly know where to start-beyond separating and listing what I have into types and dates. I have a few Indian head pennies, Morgans, Peace, Sac's, lots of silver Roosevelts, Mercurys, etc. Unfortunately, all of the books and little cardboard things that hold the individual coins are gone. I would hate for the next recipient of these coins to feel as if they are nothing more than some old spending money. Any advice on where to start would be greatly appreciated, as well as how do you get coins graded, and is it safe.
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Comments
Registry 1909-1958 Proof Lincolns
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
there will be time for that, oh, plenty of time..
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
See if there is a club located near where you live. If there is contact them and tell them what you have, that you don't want to sell it, that you just want to identify what you have. If a local club is not available, check your yellow pages for a local coin dealer. Tell him the same thing. If both of these don't pan out, go to your local library or book store and find a copy of "The Red Book". Each of these should help you identify what you have, and perhaps get a general idea of the value. I wouldn't worry about getting anything graded until you cataloged and sorted out the coins you have. Grading can be a fairly expensive, & tedious undertaking, so I would recommend only grading what you've identified as the most valuable items, and then only if you have the desire to sell.
Do not try to clean any of the coins!! This is imperative because any possible value would be diminished by cleaning. Collectors generally do not have to have "REEAAALLLL SHINEY" coins!! I would also pick up some inexpensive 2x2 cardboard holders to put the coins in to protect them and help you catalog them.
Hope all this helps, and good luck!!
I would like to agree with others--do not attempt to clean any of the coins it ruins their value.
If you don't have a library near by a book store or stores like Hobby Lobby will carry Red Books. I suggest getting one before you look at what you have.
If there are uncirculated coins in the bunch, please get yourself a pair of light cotton glove, to prevent putting fingerprints on the coins.
(And, it looks like you made a smart move by asking for advice, before taking a chance of ruining coins!)
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
This isn't important unless they are unc, but even worn collectible coins should be treated
gently.
In defense of your dealer (and I don't defend them ofter), he may be right so don't get your hopes up. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but nearly everybody has a collection of old coins that unfortunately have little value. I just don't want you to think you'll be able to retire now that you've acquired this collection.
Just because the coins are old and/or made of silver does not make them valuable. The number 1 thing that makes a coin valuable is "collectability". Their are other variables but if a coin has many collectors standing in line to buy it, it has real value. Supply and demand!
With that said, even coins that have little collectability can, at the very least, spark a passion for collecting. Over 30 years ago my Grandfather gave me a jar full of wheat pennies, mercury dimes, and other items that he had saved from years before. Those coins were worth very little, but the appreciation they gave me for numismatics was priceless.
With that said, their have been stories of incredible finds so you never know.
Good luck!
Get a redbook. Easy to find at library or bookstore.
Figure out what you got.
Post a list of what you got and we can help from there.
Got a digital camera? post pictures here: even more useful.
Redbook
2x2's
..... and pay attention to these guys around here. You can learn a lot from them!!! Good people.
You're now official, Bubba 4/24/04
valuable, maybe even uncirculated pieces in there. Just because a coin is not shiny/ new looking does not mean that it is not uncirculated. Take your time, handle them carefully. Do not drag them across a bare table, Either get what is called a jeweler's tray or a really soft T shirt to lay some out a little at a time.
Bad enough the coins have been in contact with one another but do not subject them to any mishandling such as jossling them around in the can or holding them anywhere else but between your thumb and index finger-Hold them on the rims-NOT the surfaces and under NO circumstances-no ,matter how tempting, do not wipe them with anything-not even your T shirt!
I also strongly advocate learning. Perhaps join The American Numismatic Association and take courses on grading etc. If you need a sponsor, let me know....It's been so long I forgot if you need to be sponsored anymore! WELCOME to the boards!
One more thing. If you should decide to sell anything, the very last place you want to sell them is a coin dealer(sorry fellas). They will give you as little as possible (Blue Book) so as to maximize profit. That's the Nature of the game. You are better off here where people will help you.
Keep us updated on what you find.
Registry 1909-1958 Proof Lincolns
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Russ, NCNE