Sell or Trade?

coinaesthetics · October 21, 2012 5:16AM

I have a set of four specialized U.S. collections (1790s being the best) that's very nice, and only four coins short of completion. My other set is conventional U.S. type, complete at 63 coins, some of them pretty nice, the others "space fillers" worth under a grand. Biding time trying to find the four extreme toughies for my specialized collection book, I'm giving some thought to upgrading the space fillers in my type set. Because of storage and outlay, I really don't want to accumulate many more coins, so am considering trying to improve my type coin space fillers. I've virtually never sold a coin and have no idea whether I should try to trade or buy and sell. Going to shows and/or working with my trusted dealers, would it be a better idea for me to buy outright, maybe trying to sell my space filler types on Teletrade or elsewhere? Or would you expect I'd do better to trade? When a non-professional trades, does it usually work out that you suffer even more of a wholesale-retail loss at BOTH ends of the proposition?

ambro51 · October 21, 2012 5:48AM

If you can take a good photograph and write a short description eBay is probably your best bet.

coinaesthetics · October 21, 2012 6:00AM

Actually hadn't given any thought to eBay, as it has always seemed a pretty compromised market to me. But I suppose it's only as compromised as whoever is selling. And I'd guess the selling cost is usually lower. Thanks, ambro51.

Matrix1980 · October 21, 2012 6:00AM

Ebay sucks now unless you are a power seller you are limited to sell up to a maximum of a 1000$ a month that is it.

Matrix1980 · October 21, 2012 6:01AM

Go to a coin show if you can and walk around and get the best price offered that way you will have no commission or taxes to pay. Or you can simply trade them for gold or silver ounces at a coin shop or show that will do so.

RYK · October 21, 2012 6:03AM

Your best bet is to sell directly to other collectors and buy the coins you need with cash.

Sonorandesertrat · October 21, 2012 6:37AM

<< <i>Your best bet is to sell directly to other collectors and buy the coins you need with cash. >>

DeliaBug · October 21, 2012 6:38AM

For upgrading, I have actually had decent success trading up with a few dealers where say, they'll take my N and some cash for an N+1 or 2.

Matrix1980 · October 23, 2012 3:54PM

All good advise!!!

BillJones · October 23, 2012 10:06PM

Look for a local coin club and see if they hold auctions. I know that some people think that these auctions always bring poor results, but it's been my experience that an active club auction can produce some decent bids for inexpensive material.

phnatacc · October 23, 2012 11:14PM

<< <i>Ebay sucks now unless you are a power seller you are limited to sell up to a maximum of a 1000$ a month that is it. >>

That can't be right. How would you become a power seller?

Casman · October 23, 2012 11:43PM

<< <i>Ebay sucks now unless you are a power seller you are limited to sell up to a maximum of a 1000$ a month that is it. >>

I believe the 1K cap is for new sellers and if you call them they will increase the limit generally up to 10K per month with a max number of listings.

Established non-power sellers have no such cap.

Sell or Trade?

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