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If you could get 100% of the value for your collection, would you sell it and start all over?

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  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,922 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Actually having something significant stolen leaves a person feeling incredibly violated. Regardless of how much you might like the idea, the reality is pretty ugly.

    Insurance payouts & police reports aren’t as straightforward as they seem either.

  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,260 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 17, 2026 8:24PM

    Never! Ever! Same as in the Underground in London in May 1940.

    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • TrampTramp Posts: 929 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nope! First, someone took something that belonged to me. Second, someone enriched themselves at my expense.

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No offense, but it seems like the silliest threads get the most traction here.

  • seduloussedulous Posts: 3,484 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @skier07 said:
    What kind of question is this?

    It's now 2 different questions.

    If the OPs fully-insured collection is stolen, we'll know it's an inside job.

    All we need now is a "yes" and an address

    A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 30,926 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:
    No. No possible way to replace a piece of individual family history and I couldn't begin to put a price tag on it... This coin and change purse was found in my grandmother's effects after she passed away in 1973. My family came to this country in 1845 to escape famine in Ireland...



    Love the Victoria 🫠

  • MEJ7070MEJ7070 Posts: 738 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I wouldn’t mind if someone stole some of the “art” that my wife has adorning the walls of my house.

    My coins? Absolutely not.

  • scotty1419scotty1419 Posts: 1,039 ✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @scotty1419 said:

    @MasonG said:

    @scotty1419 said:

    A collector isn't built at once or sold at once.

    The hypothetical above: "If someone would buy your whole collection for it's actual current value, would you sell and start allover?"

    "Someone". "Whole collection".

    Sure, but in the ongoing discussion of hypotheticals and what-ifs that go on for endless discussions, I pointed out that for any collector at this moment in time, they should be constantly evaluating their collection. Are there pieces they WISH would be stolen? YIKES, if so, correction is needed. And IF SO, then that takes incremental progress. Just like the creation of the collection in the first place.

    Again, I don't think any collector who's halfway happy with their collection would want their collection stolen.

    The OP didn't help matters by asking a separate question in the middle.

    And apparently, I didn't help by responding to a comment by someone other than the OP.

    Now we're arguing about the parameters and specifics of hypothetical questions?

    It's a discussion. Lighten up Francis.

  • ColonialcoinColonialcoin Posts: 817 ✭✭✭✭✭

    This is an odd title for a thread. It should probably read something to the effect of, are your coins replaceable? I would get mad if anything of mine got stolen. However, the coins/currency that I collect are one of a kind items. It takes me ages to find the things that I’m looking for. The money doesn’t replace the coin. I’m sure that someone here for instance has an amazing 1919-D Walker that can’t be replaced at any price.

  • CregCreg Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭✭✭

    One thought—Does the purchase price include tuition costs?

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @scotty1419 said:

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @scotty1419 said:

    @MasonG said:

    @scotty1419 said:

    A collector isn't built at once or sold at once.

    The hypothetical above: "If someone would buy your whole collection for it's actual current value, would you sell and start allover?"

    "Someone". "Whole collection".

    Sure, but in the ongoing discussion of hypotheticals and what-ifs that go on for endless discussions, I pointed out that for any collector at this moment in time, they should be constantly evaluating their collection. Are there pieces they WISH would be stolen? YIKES, if so, correction is needed. And IF SO, then that takes incremental progress. Just like the creation of the collection in the first place.

    Again, I don't think any collector who's halfway happy with their collection would want their collection stolen.

    The OP didn't help matters by asking a separate question in the middle.

    And apparently, I didn't help by responding to a comment by someone other than the OP.

    Now we're arguing about the parameters and specifics of hypothetical questions?

    It's a discussion. Lighten up Francis.

    I made a joke. Lighten up, indeed. :)

  • GoobGoob Posts: 241 ✭✭✭

    If I may bring up the lingo of my peers, yesn't.

    "Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
    - Someone, probably

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Goob said:
    If I may bring up the lingo of my peers, yesn't.

    Oh you crazy kids...

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2026 8:55AM

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Thar is a lot of "no's". How about if I rephrase the question as: "If someone would buy your whole collection for it actual current value, would you sell and start allover?

    Heck no - now might retail the whole thing to some rich customer but would be marked up real good (my cost, plus opex - time and materials lol - or MV plus premium at least). I don’t work for free.

    Investor
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Russell12 said:
    Thar is a lot of "no's". How about if I rephrase the question as: "If someone would buy your whole collection for it actual current value, would you sell and start allover?

    Heck no - now might retail the whole thing to some rich customer but would be marked up real good (my cost, plus opex - time and materials lol - or MV plus premium at least). I don’t work for free.

    Your inventory isn't your "collection". Smh...

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,445 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Your kidding - Whether collection or inventory it’s an investment. I don’t invest to lose money.

    Investor
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,597 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Russell12 said:
    Thar is a lot of "no's". How about if I rephrase the question as: "If someone would buy your whole collection for it's actual current value, would you sell and start allover?

    To answer that question, it would depend on what I thought I would have a chance to buy in the coming few years. And at this specific point in time, considering what’s on the horizon, I’d be a seller of some significant parts of my collection, but I wouldn’t sell everything.

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Your kidding - Whether collection or inventory it’s an investment. I don’t invest to lose money.

    No. I'm serious. The question is getting at people's emotional attachment to the coins. Your answer is that you would be happy to have them stolen as long as they were over-insured.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • ProofmorganProofmorgan Posts: 915 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That could be a nightmare for someone with significant holdings of OGH, Gold CAC, Rattlers, NGC Black, thinly traded coins, or any other coin with significant value not expressed by guides or price reference.

    Think of the challenge to recoup the true value of a common coin in a Gen 1 Rattler or NGC Black.....

    Collector of Original Early Gold with beginnings in Proof Morgan collecting.
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,445 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2026 11:50AM

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Your kidding - Whether collection or inventory it’s an investment. I don’t invest to lose money.

    No. I'm serious. The question is getting at people's emotional attachment to the coins. Your answer is that you would be happy to have them stolen as long as they were over-insured.

    You dont know what you’re talking about and that suggestion sounds (robbery of one’s coins) insane. The people coming to steal maybe coming to kill too (no witnesses). No I don’t want them stolen lol. Who are you to say what somebody wants rofl. Many of my items top pop, tough to find, often only one in bourse room. Lots of research, beating other bidders, work goes, into that. Not bullion junk. Making up somebody’s answer - grabbing for straws, uncool.

    Furthermore any insurance claim on coins - good luck in getting it all.

    Investor
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Your kidding - Whether collection or inventory it’s an investment. I don’t invest to lose money.

    No. I'm serious. The question is getting at people's emotional attachment to the coins. Your answer is that you would be happy to have them stolen as long as they were over-insured.

    You dont know what you’re talking about and that suggestion sounds (robbery of one’s coins) insane. The people coming to steal maybe coming to kill too (no witnesses). No I don’t want them stolen lol. Who are you to say what somebody wants rofl. Many of my items top pop, tough to find, often only one in bourse room. Lots of research, work goes into that. Not bullion junk. Making up somebody’s answer - grabbing for straws, uncool.

    Furthermore any insurance claim on coins - good luck in getting it all.

    Which is what you could have, should have, said the first time. Instead, you said you needed full retail from a rich customer.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    I'm trying to come up with some way to express how completely inane this post is without my response getting me banned for life. Unfortunately any words below a PG-13 level escape me

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • CoinscratchCoinscratch Posts: 10,654 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It wouldn't bother me too much and I would have fun buying more. Currently my "collection" collection is 5 coins and 2 or 3 may be going soon. I really want to add a 67/+ Buffalo they are fire with the right colors.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 30,926 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lsica said:
    I'm trying to come up with some way to express how completely inane this post is without my response getting me banned for life. Unfortunately any words below a PG-13 level escape me

    Its beyond a few others as well

  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    @johnny9434 said:

    @lsica said:
    I'm trying to come up with some way to express how completely inane this post is without my response getting me banned for life. Unfortunately any words below a PG-13 level escape me

    Its beyond a few others as well

    Sorry but IMHO its insensitive and even insulting to anyone who has ever actually been robbed or had anything of any value stolen from them

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    If I wanted my collection gone I'd sell it. If I didn't want or need the money for it I'd give it away. But to even suggest anyone would want anything of theirs just taken away without their knowledge or permission is just...well...

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still missing the point of the question. He even changed the question later on in the thread, with the only thing in common between the two questions was that you would get 100% of current market value for your coins. That might be a clue there, if you ask me.

  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still missing the point of the question. He even changed the question later on in the thread, with the only thing in common between the two questions was that you would get 100% of current market value for your coins. That might be a clue there, if you ask me.

    He could have changed the original title if he felt it didn't express what he meant. He did not.

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2026 3:47PM

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still missing the point of the question. He even changed the question later on in the thread, with the only thing in common between the two questions was that you would get 100% of current market value for your coins. That might be a clue there, if you ask me.

    He could have changed the original title if he felt it didn't express what he meant. He did not.

    He wouldn't be the only one who doesn't edit.

    I'm sure he wasn't trying to trigger anyone with the theft. The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?

    See? Even without editing the title, it's possible to understand what the OP was asking.

  • lsicalsica Posts: 1,744 ✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still missing the point of the question. He even changed the question later on in the thread, with the only thing in common between the two questions was that you would get 100% of current market value for your coins. That might be a clue there, if you ask me.

    He could have changed the original title if he felt it didn't express what he meant. He did not.

    He wouldn't be the only one who doesn't edit.

    I'm sure her want trying to trigger able with the theft. The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?

    If that is the question then it depends on why I sold it. Because I needed the cash? Well then obviously not for at least a while. If it was because I wanted to start collecting something other than coins (see my sig ;) )then again of course no. But if it was because I saw a coin or coins I just had to have but had no other way to get them then sure. Actually BTDT. But none of those scenarios involve WANTING my collection to be STOLEN. Biiiiiiiiiiiig difference.

    Philately will get you nowhere....
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lsica said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:

    @lsica said:

    @MasonG said:
    By focusing on the 'theft' angle, I think a lot of people are missing the point of OP's post.

    Then he shouldn't have included the word "stolen" in his title.

    Maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that people are still missing the point of the question. He even changed the question later on in the thread, with the only thing in common between the two questions was that you would get 100% of current market value for your coins. That might be a clue there, if you ask me.

    He could have changed the original title if he felt it didn't express what he meant. He did not.

    He wouldn't be the only one who doesn't edit.

    I'm sure her want trying to trigger able with the theft. The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?

    If that is the question then it depends on why I sold it. Because I needed the cash? Well then obviously not for at least a while. If it was because I wanted to start collecting something other than coins (see my sig ;) )then again of course no. But if it was because I saw a coin or coins I just had to have but had no other way to get them then sure. Actually BTDT. But none of those scenarios involve WANTING my collection to be STOLEN. Biiiiiiiiiiiig difference.

    Even the OP would acknowledge that, at this point. The only point, I think, with the theft is that it's all gone at once and replaced with an equal value of money. That is harder to accomplish with individual sales, etc

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Ted 1Ted 1 Posts: 957 ✭✭✭✭

    @Russell12 said:
    My question is, if your collection is 100% insured and you are guaranteed to get 100% of it's value, would you want your collection stolen? You would be able to start your collection all over again.

    Odd question, especially from a collector to a collector. Many notes and coins are irreplaceable, nevermind the memories attached to them as well. I can't just go down to my LCS and (re)purchase some rare CA nationals with 2-3 known. Can't just easily locate notes that took years of waiting to acquire, $ or not.

    California Nationals, Low Grade PPQ Notes &
    Lowball Sacagawea Dollars (POOR-XF)

    --- SUCCESSFUL BST TRANSACTIONS ---
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  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 18, 2026 4:24PM

    @jmlanzaf said:
    That is harder to accomplish with individual sales, etc

    It's a hypothetical- one buyer, one payment. Easy peasy, done deal. No need in getting off in the weeds, just go with this:

    "The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?" No reason to complicate it past that point, although that seems to be what many people prefer to do.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    That is harder to accomplish with individual sales, etc

    It's a hypothetical- one buyer, one payment. Easy peasy, done deal. No need in getting off in the weeds, just go with this:

    "The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?" No reason to complicate it past that point, although that seems to be what many people prefer to do.

    I agree, which was the secondary question the OP asked. But I was just suggesting that is why the OP originally asked the question that way. It was all going at once, not culling or realigninh.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • CregCreg Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MEJ7070 said:
    My coins? Absolutely not.

    I joke about my stuff, but if I had a collection like I see in the Virtual 7070 thread I would be the same.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    That is harder to accomplish with individual sales, etc

    It's a hypothetical- one buyer, one payment. Easy peasy, done deal. No need in getting off in the weeds, just go with this:

    "The fundamental question is would you sell everything at full value and start over?" No reason to complicate it past that point, although that seems to be what many people prefer to do.

    I agree, which was the secondary question the OP asked.

    I would expect that anyone who would attempt to recreate their collection would answer the question "No", because- why would you want to go through all that effort to just get back to where you started (unless you enjoy the hunt, I guess)? It seems that the question could be rephrased as "Would you be interested in taking your collection in a new direction if you were able to extract full current market value from your existing collection?"

  • Russell12Russell12 Posts: 686 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I changed my original question. It's what I really wanted to know. I should have not used the "stolen" angle. Sorry everyone.

  • breakdownbreakdown Posts: 2,363 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's an interesting thing to consider mainly because of the guaranteed to get 100 % of the value part of the question. Having sold at auction the two sets I spent many years putting together (buffalos and Walkers), there were a lot of tense moments when I doubted I would see 70 or 80 percent. And there is a lot of luck in who is in the market at the time you sell.

    So for the first question I say no because I hate the idea of theft. And for the follow-up question, I am not ready to sell right now.

    But I don't dismiss the questions as quickly as others because I do like a guarantee...

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,821 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinbuf said:
    While most collectors hope to recover most of what we spend on our coins upon their sale, for most their collection really is more than just a number on a spreadsheet. The answer to your question is no; I could never hope to get enough from a settlement to repurchase many of the coins in my collection.

    Right. Dealing with an insurance company to recover full value of a stolen collection has got to be a nightmarish experience.

    "I believe in intuitions and inspirations. I sometimes feel that I am right. I do not know that I am."
    Albert Einstein (14 March 1879--18 April 1955)

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1931S said:
    Right. Dealing with an insurance company to recover full value of a stolen collection has got to be a nightmarish experience.

    "If your collection is 100% insured and you are guaranteed to get 100% of it's value..."

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 39,671 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @mr1931S said:
    Right. Dealing with an insurance company to recover full value of a stolen collection has got to be a nightmarish experience.

    "If your collection is 100% insured and you are guaranteed to get 100% of it's value..."

    Hypothetical are hard

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,693 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @MasonG said:

    @mr1931S said:
    Right. Dealing with an insurance company to recover full value of a stolen collection has got to be a nightmarish experience.

    "If your collection is 100% insured and you are guaranteed to get 100% of it's value..."

    Hypothetical are hard

    Not always. Helps to read them first, though. ;)

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