Half Cent Collection Auction.

BWCoin

I have a very nice collection of half cents and I want to auction them off but I’m wonder if it’s a bad time since another large collection was just offed? Any ideas on how to sell the set and get top dollar?

291fifth

I don't claim to have any feel for the half cent market but here are some questions you must ask yourself:

1. How "very nice" is the collection in the eyes of the people who are in the market for half cents? Are there condition census coins or just lots of somewhat nice coins. How well have you stayed in touch with the market?

2. Is there enough value in the collection that a major auction firm would consider the consignment to be major ... or ... is it just another consignment suitable for dumping in another "phone book" size auction.

3. Do you know the dealers who make a market in these coins? Is a direct sale preferable to an auction?

4. Where is the half cent market for coins of your quality level likely to go in the next few years? Is holding on to them for a longer time a good idea?

When it comes time to sell "top dollar" can be elusive.

Nap

<< <i>I don't claim to have any feel for the half cent market but here are some questions you must ask yourself:

1. How "very nice" is the collection in the eyes of the people who are in the market for half cents? Are there condition census coins or just lots of somewhat nice coins. How well have you stayed in touch with the market?

2. Is there enough value in the collection that a major auction firm would consider the consignment to be major ... or ... is it just another consignment suitable for dumping in another "phone book" size auction.

3. Do you know the dealers who make a market in these coins? Is a direct sale preferable to an auction?

4. Where is the half cent market for coins of your quality level likely to go in the next few years? Is holding on to them for a longer time a good idea?

When it comes time to sell "top dollar" can be elusive. >>



Great points.

As far as whether a prior sale may impact your collection sale, it's hard to tell. If the pieces that recently sold went for strong money and your collection is of comparable quality I can't see it being too much of a negative. If the pieces were weak and yours is inferior, it may not bode well.

Sometimes an auction of an underappreciated series (I'd consider half cents amongst the 'underappreciated' coins) can boost interest in the series and even if several rare pieces come to market around the same time, the interest may be exponential as a consequence.

BillJones

It depends upon how nice it is. If it is really super with a bunch of rare Cohen varieties, you might think about the Goldbergs or Heritage. If it is like the set I had, which did contain some rarities, but had only few pieces that were condition census, you consider the EAC auction if they still have room. There will be decent number copper collectors there. The only thing it tends to be more large cents than half cents, but I think that good material will generate interest.

Sonorandesertrat

If you are an EAC member, you could put an ad in Penny-Wise. List them, with images, on the BST too. These are cheap routes.
Unless they are top-quality (high grade, choice for the grade), I would think carefully about the wisdom of consigning them to an auction.
Another alternative is to reach an agreement with an early copper specialty dealer and have him sell them on consignment.

It all depends on what the coins look like and how soon you want the money.

BWCoin

This set has a number of cc coins . Looming at past auction's the past auction is Golxdberg the default for copper.

Sonorandesertrat

For auctioning the coins off, I agree with Goldbergs being the best choice.

Purfrock

I would sell with Goldberg's as well, especially if your coins are raw and you don't want to go through the process of slabbing them.

AMRC

Selling most coins at auction seems to benefit the auction house more than the seller. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but that is just what they are, exceptions.

True Story: I was at a local auction a few weeks ago. There were 20 or so lots of coins. Most of the lots were what we would consider common silver coins, and that is what they just about sold for. There was a seller's premium of 25% and a buyer's premium of 15%. So if a lot was worth say $300 in common silver, buyer's would win it for around $250, and with the juice would wind up paying $300 for it. The seller nets $180! The seller could have sold them directly to me for about $280. Where is the value add for the seller?

Not saying this is the same as your half-cents, just making the point that there are a limited number of coins that make sense for auctions. Think Top-Pops, true rarities, and exotics.

Walkerguy21D

Many good points already made.

I would seriously consider Goldberg's if your set is as nice as you say (many CC coins in it), and negotiate the commission. A friend of mine
was able to list some large cents for 0%, and a lot of copper guys follow their auctions closely.

You could also consider assigning them to a major EAC dealer like CVM....that way you set the price you want out of them.

joebb21

remember that you are in charge of setting how much OVER hammer you want from each of the auction houses. Either let them fight for it or go in with info in hand.
Depending on value (if all there) you should easily be able to get 7% OVER hammer price and not pay any "seller's fee"