How do you figure the value of your collection?

Moonbiter

After reading another post about paying more for a PQ coin and someone posting something about the amount they spent vs what they value their collection at, it got me thinking, how do you figure what your collections worth? Do you use Greysheet ask? Coin Values monthly, Red book, Auctions avg, Ebay avg or something else? Me personally, I've never thought about it so I pose this question to the forum members.

InternetJunky

Most of the time I'm like you where I really don't keep track. But if I'm really curious about the value of something in my collection I just check past auctions or current eBay auctions just for a ball park figure. I like checking current auctions on eBay because say the average of X coin is going for $15 and has 5 days left, more than likely it's going to sell for more than $15. So it'd be safe to say you should be able to sell that particular coin for at least $15 if needed.

doh

Past auction records mostly.

LeeG

I use the PCGS Price Guide and Auction records. Based on that, I'm in the red. I believe one has to consider the coin also. I've paid up for the right coins, so not really a big concern to be in the red. I only have one coin that I really am concerned about as far as liquidity in the future. Long term holds should put me in the black one day. That's my hope anyway.

pmac

I get a feel for the value by going to the latest auction sale of a similiar coin and deduct 15% for the auction house. This is what the market is paying for coins at this time.

pennyannie

Value can mean a few different things to different people.

I put 3 values on my collection
1. Retail- What i would expect to pay for coins where neither party is in a bind to sell. If i wanted to sell but not in a hurry i would value my collection at retail using, heritage records and other past sales as a guide.

2. I need to sell cause i am in a bind to the local dealer- All slabbed coins at 20 percdent back of bid and all unslabbed at melt. LOL

3. I want to sell and move on but not in a huge hurry- List on ebay at no reserve or heritage depending on the coin.

$20,000 retail is about 6 to 8k at local decent coin store, 14k to 16k thru heritage and ebay after commisions.

KentuckyJ

For a general idea I use the My Inventory feature on the PCGS Set Registry. This is helpful in that it tracks your PCGS coins pop # and PCGS values, giving you a total value for all listed coins. The $ amounts are PCGS price guide #s, some more realistic than others, but My Inventory definitely gives you a good over view. For individual coin values, looking to buy or sell, it's probably best to do a search of past auction and retail activity.

CHAMELEON

I've wondered that before too, but any assessment of a collection's value is only one person's guess based on what they have noticed in the market. I always say a coin is worth whatever someone will pay for it. Some of my coins are more valuable to me than they would ever be to you, and it's the other way around on some of them too.

dpoole

As a ballpark, I use what I paid, figuring there's GOT to be at least one other person out there as dumb as me.

Raybob15239

Generally, I reach inside a certain oriface and just pull out a number.

relicsncoins

<< <i>As a ballpark, I use what I paid, figuring there's GOT to be at least one other person out there as dumb as me. >>



I typically just use some past recent sales on Ebay. Take for instance a 38 D Buffalo in MS65................Oh nevermind.

RedTiger

<< <i>As a ballpark, I use what I paid, figuring there's GOT to be at least one other person out there as dumb as me. >>



I usually figure a 20% hit on most coins, more like 50% on cheap coins with no bullion value. If it is for sale at the price I bought it at, wholesale is likely a lot lower than what I paid. Retail is only if I make an effort to sell, then 20% might be typical total costs for selling at a good many venues.

BillyKingsley

I don't....I don't care. I don't collect for what "someone" says is the "value" of my collections. I collect because I enjoy them, and they are pieces of history I can hold in my hand and call my own.

They will never leave my possesion....unless I make an upgrade, then duplicates are fair game.

I just made my first ever sale last week.

blu62vette

I use guides and auction records and the take off 25%. I would rather be low than high.

19Lyds

I go strictly by the price guide or from personal sales.

BAJJERFAN

Value to me is what I paid. If I sell I always try to recover cost first. Then again if we all buy the coin and not the holder, recovering costs should be easy eh? Maybe more are preaching that instead of practicing it.

ricko

I do not value my collection in terms of dollars since I never sell anything. My coins are my personal hobby and special to me. I do have gold that may sell one day.... and valuing that is easy. Cheers, RickO

dizzyfoxx

With my gold coins, certainly not by some of the absolutism opinions based on images of them that come from around here!!!

OKbustchaser

I used the different price guides to set a ballpark replacement value for insurance purposes.
I really couldn't care less what the market value of my collection is though...it isn't for sale anyway.

tjc2120

I use retail estimates like Red Book and Coin Values - add it all up and divide by two. I think that is a realistic cash value estimate.

(Bullion not inlcluded.)

tahoe98

........you'll always have...........................................face value.

WaterSport

Take the PCGS guide or any other value, inflate 10% for ownership grade value, X 2 for ego, add 25% for overpayment to start with, divide by 3 and subtract 20% in auction fees, and that is what your collection is worth when the relatives sell it after your dead.

$1000 X 10% = $1,100 X 2 = $2,200 + $550 = $2750 Divide by 3 = $916 -$183 =$733.

WS

Fletcher

I take what I think my coins are worth and then divide that by pi

KentuckyJ

> that is what your collection is worth when the relatives sell it after your dead.


WaterSport,
LOL. So true and so funny. The relatives didn't build it. Any amount of spending money looks better to them than having those stupid coins

Bear

Like most collectors, it's valued at 2X what it is worth

under the very best of circumstances.

IGWT

I figure it's worth to me what I paid. Even if no one else would pay that much.

RYK

I truly do not spend a whole lot of time thinking about it, and I really have no idea what the collection is currently worth. When I make plans to sell individual coins, I research the market value of like coins on an individual basis, the same as I would when planning to make a coin purchase.

MikeInFL

<< <i>After reading another post about paying more for a PQ coin and someone posting something about the amount they spent vs what they value their collection at, it got me thinking, how do you figure what your collections worth? Do you use Greysheet ask? Coin Values monthly, Red book, Auctions avg, Ebay avg or something else? Me personally, I've never thought about it so I pose this question to the forum members. >>



I spend exactly no time figuring the value of my collection, other than keeping track how much I paid for a coin in the coin spreadsheet that I keep track of my collection with. Call me crazy, but the value of my collection simply doesn't matter to me.

MidLifeCrisis

I like IGWT's and RYK's answers.

But if you really want to know the value of your collection, you should try to sell it. You will learn fast.

Moonbiter

Sounds like the majority of collectors are not terribly interested in what their collection is worth. I'm not completely surprised by the answers though. As for the question, it was just curiosity.

joecopper

For my silver, I used Coin World Trends for retail and checked agianst some major dealers like Beymer for my nicer stuff. For selling I lo0ked at
Greysheet. When I sold I went consignment and did about 85-88% on the really scarce suff and 80-85 generic to CW Trends. All done was 5-7% above Greysheet with commissions.

For early copper I use CQR and look at auction results relative to it. Right now (as of June) auction values average right on CQR for decent, properly graded coins (I do mean decent and properly graded). Holmes sale will tell a lot on current market.

For IHC and Lincolns I use CW and Beymer - would expect 85% net or would hold.

The main thing I have done is too try to find a good source and stick with it to get a feel of how things are moving. Right now I am not as up to date on the IHC and Lincoln market as in the past. It has worked so far for me.

Bear

I have always tried to buy high and sell low.

I have maintained a most consistent performance,

to date, of this collecting philosophy.

Moonbiter

<< <i>I have always tried to buy high and sell low.

I have maintained a most consistent performance,

to date, of this collecting philosophy. >>



LOL I think I have this same track record with some coins.

Justacommeman

There is no price guide for what I collect so I don't sweat it.....I would have just blown my money on wine, women and fast cars anyways

MORGANHUNTER2

<< <i>As a ballpark, I use what I paid, figuring there's GOT to be at least one other person out there as dumb as me. >>



Not just one, several follow in the same path that you are shining the light on...

PerryHall

If you really, really, really want to find out what your collection is worth, give it to Heritage and tell them to put it in their next major auction without any reserves.

TwoSides2aCoin

When someone sees something I collect and says "oooh, that's cool", I value it more than I did before they said anything.
This is how I figure it.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>Sounds like the majority of collectors are not terribly interested in what their collection is worth. I'm not completely surprised by the answers though. As for the question, it was just curiosity. >>



I don't see why not. Hard to believe that some could spend $10K on a coin and not be concerned about what its worth. I consider my coins [or most of them] to be something of an investment that in good times I would hope to at least recoup costs, if not make a little. Of course if one buys right that should be less of a problem.

Bear

Actually, I value my collection at the price I paid for it, including grading costs,

if any and shipping coasts. That way I know when I sell it, If I am ahead or a

behind.

Sylvestius

For certain coins with sentimental value they're priceless, but only to me.

For everything else... they're worth less than I paid.

I did once sell a coin and sold it for twice what I paid for it, however this was flying against the wind of every other coin i've sold where the reverse is usually the case! But to be honest as someone else said before me, if I hadn't bought the coin I probably would have blown the money on something else that hasn't been around as long, or brought as much joy.

mozeppa

I didn't start out to be a "not for profit organization"...just turned out that way.



I've made 2 MILLION dollars in the coin game.....I started with 5 million.

Baley

three ways to value the accumulation, short and sweet: 1. what i paid 2. what I could get if I had time to take pictures, advertise, etc, and 3. what I could get if I had to call a couple-three reputable dealers and ask, "how much for everything, now?"