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What do you think would be the best way to dispose of a large number of cameo proofs?
SanctionII
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Over the years I have hunted for, cherrypicked and acquired a CAM and DCAM proofs from 1950-1970, from cents to halves. Almost all of them are raw. The best of them have been placed in Capital holders and as the years have passed my upgrading of the coins in the Capital holders have left me with lots of duplicates.
I am thinking of disposing of these duplicates (and use the money to buy other coins) and wonder what the best way of doing so would be. I can see multiple ways of doing so:
First, I am tempted to join a TPG and submit some of the higher grade CAM and DCAM examples of more valuable dates for grading and keep the lower grade, less valuable dates raw.
Second, I could try to strike a deal with the TPG to submit in all of the coins in separate bulk lots (all Lincoln cents, all Jefferson nickels, all Roosevelt dimes, all Washington quarters, all Franklin halves and all Kennedy halves, etc.) in seperate bulk lots at a bulk rate (how do bulk submissions work?).
Third, I could list them on the BST, with or without pictures (to post pics I need to learn how to take better pictures and I need to learn how to photoshop).
Fourth, I could try to learn how to sell on E-Bay (how time consuming is it to learn how to do so and how time consuming is it to actually sell individual coins).
Fifth, I could consgin the coins to a forum member who already sells on E-bay and let him or her do all the grunt work for a percentage.
Sixth, I could try to sell at local shops (bad idea I think).
Seventh, I could try to sell at a local or regional show (maybe ok for generic proof sets and coins, but not for CAM coins or CAM sets).
Eighth, I could go to a big show attended by Rick Tomaska, show him my CAMs and ask him for an offer (probably not a good idea).
What do you think would be the best way to dispose of my duplicates? I would like to obtain the best prices possible, am in no hurry to unload them and am willing to spend money to have as least some of the coins slabbed.
I am thinking of disposing of these duplicates (and use the money to buy other coins) and wonder what the best way of doing so would be. I can see multiple ways of doing so:
First, I am tempted to join a TPG and submit some of the higher grade CAM and DCAM examples of more valuable dates for grading and keep the lower grade, less valuable dates raw.
Second, I could try to strike a deal with the TPG to submit in all of the coins in separate bulk lots (all Lincoln cents, all Jefferson nickels, all Roosevelt dimes, all Washington quarters, all Franklin halves and all Kennedy halves, etc.) in seperate bulk lots at a bulk rate (how do bulk submissions work?).
Third, I could list them on the BST, with or without pictures (to post pics I need to learn how to take better pictures and I need to learn how to photoshop).
Fourth, I could try to learn how to sell on E-Bay (how time consuming is it to learn how to do so and how time consuming is it to actually sell individual coins).
Fifth, I could consgin the coins to a forum member who already sells on E-bay and let him or her do all the grunt work for a percentage.
Sixth, I could try to sell at local shops (bad idea I think).
Seventh, I could try to sell at a local or regional show (maybe ok for generic proof sets and coins, but not for CAM coins or CAM sets).
Eighth, I could go to a big show attended by Rick Tomaska, show him my CAMs and ask him for an offer (probably not a good idea).
What do you think would be the best way to dispose of my duplicates? I would like to obtain the best prices possible, am in no hurry to unload them and am willing to spend money to have as least some of the coins slabbed.
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Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I think any raw sale to a dealer will leave you far short.
I would TPG (PCGS) grade any that you think are worth more than say $50 or so. Then you can sell on the B/S/T board, e-bay, consign to a dealer, consign to an auction, etc.
For good pictures.... you need a macro lense. For photo software, picasa is good and free. Crop your pictures down then export them at 450 by 450 pixels.
You could put them in the middle of a room, invite Marty and Russ over and let them fight to the death - winner takes all.
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How about some replies from the usual suspects (Cameo fans), Marty, RGL, Carlwolforth, Russ, Cameonut, LeeG, Lucy, etc.
<< <i>What do you think would be the best way to dispose of a large number of cameo proofs? >>
How 'bout the trash? Just be sure you seal them tightly. And tell me where the trash can is.
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
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My logic in getting them slabbed is simple. 1) Bidders will always discount the grade and/or degree of contrast because they are assessing the grade of the coin based on the pictures alone. We all know how hard it is to grade high grade proofs by photos alone. Unless you are an ex-PCGS grader or well-known expert in the field, your opinion means little to prospective buyers. 2) Bidders will also wonder "If this coin is so nice, why isn't it in a holder?" Thus a lower bid.
So if you want to maximize your return, get them graded by PCGS. Just hope they don't get to the grading room on one of those days where they are super tough.
One other thought. Make a list of the coins and the grades you expect them to make. If the coin will only retail for say, $50 - it is probably not cost effective to slab it. My comments above are more for coins that will sell above $150 each.
I would be happy to look over your list and give you some feedback. Just PM me.
Good luck - sounds like fun.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I'm not exactly sure what I would do with lower grade cameos or higher grade coins that just miss cameo. I might try to make up PQ proof sets and sell them on eBay. I might consider sending better date coins to a less expensive TPG, but I would check prior sales first. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Excellent suggestions all, thanks for your input. Any additional comments are welcome.
I will have to do an inventory and go from there. It has been such a long time since I looked that I do not even remember how much I have or what the dates are.
Business strikes rule!
<< <i>
I will have to do an inventory and go from there. It has been such a long time since I looked that I do not even remember how much I have or what the dates are. >>
Give us a crack at them!
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