What's the best deal you ever found at an estate sale?

Ahrensdad · November 6, 2009 1:08AM

I'll start....No pic's sorry. This was 8 years ago...

I was driving to an appointment during the work day when I noticed a line forming in front of a house with an estate sale sign in the front yard. On my way back, I decided to stop and see if they had any coins. Was I in luck. They has an Allstate case full. The lighting was bad, but I noticed an odd looking large cent in the back of the case. I asked to see it. It was marked as date unknown, $40. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was clearly a wreath cent. I quickly said I'll take it, and bought a couple other unmemorable coins. The lady behind the counter said the other half of the coins were going to be on sale at the next estate sale over the weekend in another location. I got the info and decided to show up.

I arrived at 5am and waited. I was number 8 (or something like that). Not only did they have an 1856 flying eagle (raw) for $3,000--I later learned it was real from a dealer that would know....but I found my gem.

Again in the back of the case was a coin marked 17??, and the price tag was $250. I said I'll take it. I could still see the 99 after the 17 with the naked eye.

The wreath cent was graded AG3 by ANACS, the 1799 Large Cent was graded VF details, Net F also by ANACS.

I still have them both.

Tell us your story....

mkman123 · November 6, 2009 1:19AM

wow, I bet with the advent of ebay and the internet, fewer and fewer amazing deals like that will happen again.

Haven't been to an estate sale so no deals so far.

UtahCoin · November 6, 2009 1:20AM

A few years ago I found a complete (G-VG) set of Liberty Nickels. It was priced at $600, and as I was looking at it to see if the keys were legit (they were), the seller said $500.
So I took it.

ritchiewan · November 6, 2009 1:31AM

Tough question - I have to say it was a toss up between the Elvis Collectible plates for 15 bucks that were included in a lot with a nearly new dishwasher that is still running 12 years later or the stack of Whitman folders I got for 8 bucks that included 85 circulated Washington quarters. I sold the Quarters a couple years ago to a dealer but those damn plates still set in boxes in the middle of my garage.

Ritchie

boiler78 · November 6, 2009 1:38AM

Back in August of 1999 when gold was about $250 per ounce, I attended an "estate" sale in rural Indiana. The ad for the auction stated that the deceased was a long time coin collector and there would be hundreds of rare coin lots, so I decided to drive the twenty minutes to the sale site. When I got there I quickly discovered that the "rare" coins were misc wheat pennies and dateless Buff nickels plus a handful of pre 1964 silver coins all pulled from circulation. I felt like I had wasted my time til I noticed the tubes of American Gold Eagles! Evidently the owner was preparing for the Y2K crisis and had purchased a sizable amount of gold just in case. There were 60 ounces in all and the auctioneer started the bidding which slowed dramatically when the bid crossed $200. I threw in a bid of $220 and no one else bid so I won the lot and when the auctioneer asked how many I wanted I said "All of them!" Evidently the way those sales typically work is the winner takes what they want, which I guess the other bidders assumed would be a few and then they ask if anyone else would like some at the hammer price? I suppose the other bidders quit bidding so they could keep the price low and buy gold at a bargain price? All I can tell you is when I picked up the lot I was mobbed by people trying to buy one or two pieces! In fact it was almost frightening!

Buying gold at $30 under spot wasn't too shabby

gecko109 · November 6, 2009 1:43AM

<< Back in August of 1999 when gold was about $250 per ounce, I attended an "estate" sale in rural Indiana. The ad for the auction stated that the deceased was a long time coin collector and there would be hundreds of rare coin lots, so I decided to drive the twenty minutes to the sale site. When I got there I quickly discovered that the "rare" coins were misc wheat pennies and dateless Buff nickels plus a handful of pre 1964 silver coins all pulled from circulation. I felt like I had wasted my time til I noticed the tubes of American Gold Eagles! Evidently the owner was preparing for the Y2K crisis and had purchased a sizable amount of gold just in case. There were 60 ounces in all and the auctioneer started the bidding which slowed dramatically when the bid crossed $200. I threw in a bid of $220 and no one else bid so I won the lot and when the auctioneer asked how many I wanted I said "All of them!" Evidently the way those sales typically work is the winner takes what they want, which I guess the other bidders assumed would be a few and then they ask if anyone else would like some at the hammer price? I suppose the other bidders quit bidding so they could keep the price low and buy gold at a bargain price? All I can tell you is when I picked up the lot I was mobbed by people trying to buy one or two pieces! In fact it was almost frightening!

Buying gold at $30 under spot wasn't too shabby

>>

Or to put a more dramatic spin on it....12% under spot....which would be equivalent today to buying at almost $150 under!!!

kevinstang · November 6, 2009 1:46AM

I stopped one time at one and was looking through the box lots and then I saw it- a black flat pack with the words Cheerios! I pulled it out of box and flopped it over hoping to see the $1 sac, but it was not to be - just the penny. I think to this day thats the only I have ever put my hands on- probably should have asked how much and picked it up anyways, but I was to let down by then.

fc · November 6, 2009 2:33AM

all my cool and profitable estate sale finds do not involve coins.

i enjoy reading other people's though!

JaPa · November 6, 2009 2:34AM

This summer at an "estate" garage sale by a lady in her early 80's. She was selling off her late husbands coins and I was first in line, thank God, she had this box of St. Gaudien $20 pieces in stunning condition, turned out to be 18, on sell for TWENTY DOLLARS each. She also had a few other rare coins that were not my specialty but I knew they were worth more than the 5 dollars she had on those. I quickly snatched up the whole lot and ask her if someone else was around that I could talk to about the coins. She called out her son that just knew they were dad's from way back and she was selling everything so she could move into a retirement center. He didn't want to interfer with her sale because she felt she was losing a bit of her independence anyway, yeah a 5K per month gorgeous facility with all amenities...I digress. I gave him the coins and gave him a very quick estimate of their worth and he was stunned. Told him I knew nothing of the other coins except I was sure they were valuable as well. Gave him the name of a dealer who would do them good and gave him my name and number if he had any more questions. About a week ago he and his Mom brought me by 2 of the Gaudiens for the help. So I found a treasure but couldn't keep it, well at least I couldn't do it that way.

Those 2 will remain in my collection for as long as I live.

mkman123 · November 6, 2009 2:36AM

way to go Japa, need more people like you

tbarreca · November 6, 2009 2:36AM

I picked up an 09 to 40 Lincoln set collection missing the keys and some of the semi-keys, as well. But it had a high AU 15-S cent in it, and I figured that one alone was worth the $75 or $80 that I paid for the whole set.

tbarreca · November 6, 2009 2:39AM

<< way to go Japa, need more people like you

>>

Amen to that! In Yiddish, you would be called a "real mensch!"

gecko109 · November 6, 2009 2:46AM

<< This summer at an "estate" garage sale by a lady in her early 80's. She was selling off her late husbands coins and I was first in line, thank God, she had this box of St. Gaudien $20 pieces in stunning condition, turned out to be 18, on sell for TWENTY DOLLARS each. She also had a few other rare coins that were not my specialty but I knew they were worth more than the 5 dollars she had on those. I quickly snatched up the whole lot and ask her if someone else was around that I could talk to about the coins. She called out her son that just knew they were dad's from way back and she was selling everything so she could move into a retirement center. He didn't want to interfer with her sale because she felt she was losing a bit of her independence anyway, yeah a 5K per month gorgeous facility with all amenities...I digress. I gave him the coins and gave him a very quick estimate of their worth and he was stunned. Told him I knew nothing of the other coins except I was sure they were valuable as well. Gave him the name of a dealer who would do them good and gave him my name and number if he had any more questions. About a week ago he and his Mom brought me by 2 of the Gaudiens for the help. So I found a treasure but couldn't keep it, well at least I couldn't do it that way.

Those 2 will remain in my collection for as long as I live. >>

Very nicely done!!! There isnt a board member here who wouldnt at least think about buying the lot as is, including myself. In fact, although 99% of me would want to just buy the coins at the marked prices, Im fairly certain I would have done exactly what you had. I think!!!

coindeuce · November 6, 2009 2:51AM

Tag sale at a private home in Western N.Y. A mid grade circ. Territorial National Bank note. The guy behind me grabbed it before I could. He paid $250 for it and later sold/traded it for about 18K.

pakasmom · November 6, 2009 2:51AM

JaPa,

that's called Karma. Well done, Sir. Well done.

Walkerguy21D · November 6, 2009 2:52AM

Great story, JaPa - good for you to be helpful and honest like that.

The only estate sale with coins in it I've come across in FL about 4 years ago had lots of great deals - for the seller. A partial book of avg circ common date Merc dimes, with maybe 18-20 coins in it, was marked at $165.....I made some comment to my wife, and the apparent owner overheard, and quickly said 'those are all silver, you know'......I said yes, I know they are, so that makes the book worth about $15.....so then he nudges another fellow who was also looking at the coins, and says smugly 'I guess he doesn't know how much silver goes for these days'....to which I replied 'It closed at $10.40 yesterday'......

ricko · November 6, 2009 3:13AM

A really nice Ruger .22 revolver for $80. Cheers, RickO

Ahrensdad · November 6, 2009 3:31AM

That was awesome of you JaPa.

shorecoll · November 6, 2009 3:37AM

Bought an AU 16-S Walker for $100 in an estate auction, toned black but not a mark on it. Drove from the auction to my local BM, he dipped it on the spot and paid me ask. The people at the auction thought I was nuts for bidding on a coin tarnished that bad. FYI, most of the estate auctions around here have rigged added-in coin sections from slime-ball vest pocket guys (not really part of the estate).

dcarr · November 6, 2009 3:43AM

Many years ago I saw an ad for an estate sale, with coins. Sale started 9:00 AM Friday, and the ad strongly indicated "No Early Sales".
I got there at 8:50 and there was a line. The doors opened at 9:00 and everybody rushed in. I went right to the front and asked where the coins were. They directed me to a couple display cases.

All the coins were moderately to ridiculously overpriced.

I was about to leave, but decided to check out the furniture under the big tent outside. On top of a dresser outside was a shoebox full of (what looked like) sports cards. I wasn't sure if they were the type of cards people collected since I had never paid any attention to that collecting field. I knew that cards of famous players were probably worth more. I rummaged around in the box and it appeared most were 1970 vintage. I saw a few recognizable players like Fran Tarkenton, along with some other football, baseball, and basketball. There was no price on the box. I took it to the front desk and asked how much. The lady asked a few other people and finally they decided it was $35.

I remember thinking to myself that the cards would have to be worth a few cents each, on average, to make $35 total. So I took the box and put it back on the dresser. I was about to leave it there when a nosey lady came up behind me and asked "what's that !?" I said "these are sold", and I paid the $35 for them on my way out.

It turned that they were collectible sports cards, all from the 1967-1972 period. The lot included, among other things, six OJ Simpson rookie cards. I ended up selling several of the Simpson cards for around $100 each (this was before the murders - I think they are worth less now).

For the whole box I netted $1,050.00

Barberian · November 6, 2009 3:48AM

A friend of mine and I went to an auction in south Maryland several years ago. Among the many items up for auction was a small jewelry box containing several dozen foreign coins including 2 approx. 1/4 oz gold coins. My friend won the box and its contents sold for $20. The estimated bullion value of the 2 gold coins at that time was around $200.

PrivateCoinCollector · November 6, 2009 3:51AM

Great thread.

Nothing coin related. Bought a whole bunch of Nancy Drew books for a few bucks that I sold for over $100. Bought a Dodger's bobblehead for a quarter and sold it on eBay for $20. I did see a full 17 volume priniting of Dickens from the 1800's with some kid buying one for $2 when the owner offered him the whole set for $5. He only wanted the one and that's when I told him not to break up the set and he replied he did not want to spend the money. His mom was behind him and stepped right in with the additional $3 when I told him he could easily get over $200 for the set. I did wait to give him that information until he was sure he was going to buy the one book, otherwise had he put it down it would have been mine. I just could not stand to see it split up.

RunnersDad · November 6, 2009 3:56AM

<< all my cool and profitable estate sale finds do not involve coins.

i enjoy reading other people's though! >>

The same goes for me FC. I have scored some nice items from estate sales, but never a high priced coin. Keep the stories coming.

Res · November 6, 2009 4:22AM

<< Tough question - I have to say it was a toss up between the Elvis Collectible plates for 15 bucks that were included in a lot with a nearly new dishwasher that is still running 12 years later or the stack of Whitman folders I got for 8 bucks that included 85 circulated Washington quarters. I sold the Quarters a couple years ago to a dealer but those damn plates still set in boxes in the middle of my garage.

Ritchie >>

Is it really considered "buying" something if they give you $20 face in coins for 8 dollars?

Ahrensdad · November 6, 2009 7:09AM

For the evening crowd...Please share your stories...

Raufus · November 6, 2009 8:06AM

<< A really nice Ruger .22 revolver for $80. Cheers, RickO >>

Nice score! I had a friend who got a NIB HK91 for $100 in GA at a yard sale. The widow probably thought that it was a toy.

Raufus · November 6, 2009 8:07AM

<< I'll start....No pic's sorry. This was 8 years ago...

I was driving to an appointment during the work day when I noticed a line forming in front of a house with an estate sale sign in the front yard. On my way back, I decided to stop and see if they had any coins. Was I in luck. They has an Allstate case full. The lighting was bad, but I noticed an odd looking large cent in the back of the case. I asked to see it. It was marked as date unknown, $40. I could hardly believe my eyes. It was clearly a wreath cent. I quickly said I'll take it, and bought a couple other unmemorable coins. The lady behind the counter said the other half of the coins were going to be on sale at the next estate sale over the weekend in another location. I got the info and decided to show up.

I arrived at 5am and waited. I was number 8 (or something like that). Not only did they have an 1856 flying eagle (raw) for $3,000--I later learned it was real from a dealer that would know....but I found my gem.

Again in the back of the case was a coin marked 17??, and the price tag was $250. I said I'll take it. I could still see the 99 after the 17 with the naked eye.

The wreath cent was graded AG3 by ANACS, the 1799 Large Cent was graded VF details, Net F also by ANACS.

I still have them both.

Tell us your story.... >>

What are these worth (I collect Moderns).

Raufus · November 6, 2009 8:09AM

<< This summer at an "estate" garage sale by a lady in her early 80's. She was selling off her late husbands coins and I was first in line, thank God, she had this box of St. Gaudien $20 pieces in stunning condition, turned out to be 18, on sell for TWENTY DOLLARS each. She also had a few other rare coins that were not my specialty but I knew they were worth more than the 5 dollars she had on those. I quickly snatched up the whole lot and ask her if someone else was around that I could talk to about the coins. She called out her son that just knew they were dad's from way back and she was selling everything so she could move into a retirement center. He didn't want to interfer with her sale because she felt she was losing a bit of her independence anyway, yeah a 5K per month gorgeous facility with all amenities...I digress. I gave him the coins and gave him a very quick estimate of their worth and he was stunned. Told him I knew nothing of the other coins except I was sure they were valuable as well. Gave him the name of a dealer who would do them good and gave him my name and number if he had any more questions. About a week ago he and his Mom brought me by 2 of the Gaudiens for the help. So I found a treasure but couldn't keep it, well at least I couldn't do it that way.

Those 2 will remain in my collection for as long as I live. >>

You're a good man and you did the right thing!!! :-)

itsnotjustme · November 6, 2009 9:39AM

Silver below face! The listing only stated roll silver quarters. I had looked and saw it was 3 and a half rolls (silver was cheaper then).

5 1979-S T2 proof sets for $35.

golfer72 · November 6, 2009 9:57AM

very interesting stories all around.

COALPORTER · November 6, 2009 10:01AM

My grandfather bought a steamer truck at a BLIND AUCTION once for 5 dollars. When he opened it, it was full of uncut sheets and roll coils of pre 1920 US postage stamps .

Dropdaflag · November 6, 2009 10:26AM

<< 

<< all my cool and profitable estate sale finds do not involve coins.

i enjoy reading other people's though! >>

The same goes for me FC. I have scored some nice items from estate sales, but never a high priced coin. Keep the stories coming.

<< 

Same here!

DNADave · November 6, 2009 10:35AM

Four Leica Leitz camera lenses for $25. Sold em on ebay for $800+

wrighty · November 6, 2009 11:27AM

I went to an estate auction with a number of rare better date raw coins mostly gold that went for big money and I sat through the entire three hours watching without raising my card. Toward the end there was a small lot of Jefferson Nickels which really didn't fit with the previous items sold. The auctioneer started the bidding at $100, no takers, $50 no takers, $20 no takers, then he said alright first $10 takes it, I raised my card won the small lot and it contained 9 unc 1950 D's. I know not a big deal but I was pleasantly surprised.

sumnom · November 6, 2009 11:40AM

<< Great thread.

Nothing coin related. Bought a whole bunch of Nancy Drew books for a few bucks that I sold for over $100. Bought a Dodger's bobblehead for a quarter and sold it on eBay for $20. I did see a full 17 volume priniting of Dickens from the 1800's with some kid buying one for $2 when the owner offered him the whole set for $5. He only wanted the one and that's when I told him not to break up the set and he replied he did not want to spend the money. His mom was behind him and stepped right in with the additional $3 when I told him he could easily get over $200 for the set. I did wait to give him that information until he was sure he was going to buy the one book, otherwise had he put it down it would have been mine. I just could not stand to see it split up. >>

You did a good thing. It would have been sad to see the set broken up.

stevendaniels · November 6, 2009 12:08PM

This was actually an estate auction about 15 years ago. My father went to it looking for tools and noticed there were some coins. He asked the auctioneer, who said he dabbled in coins that there were silver dollars. He said there had to have been over 500 people at the auction. My father looked through them and found a 1889-cc in AU/MS. He ended up buying the coin for $15, ANACS slabbed the coin MS61 and he sold/traded it for $5,000. I wish he still had it today!

RWB · November 6, 2009 12:19PM

Several years ago – just before our local JayCees BBQ fundraiser – one of the guys found a sale where they had a box of kittens….

TwoSides2aCoin · November 6, 2009 12:36PM

I got some Tupperware™ and a Duncan Pfyfe table.

RWB · November 6, 2009 12:39PM

I got some Tupperware™ and a Duncan Pfyfe table.

Heck, that's nothin' We once had a photo of Barney Fife sitting on the dining room table. Kept the flies away reeeeal good.

Raufus · November 6, 2009 1:45PM

There was a story in the not too distant past in NN or CW about a lucky collector who purchased a half disme at a Modesto CA police auction for around $400 that later sold for nearly a half-mil. Anyone have the link?

Kablemodem · November 6, 2009 3:11PM

About 20 years ago I was at an estate sale and I saw a milk crate full of Sports Illustrateds from the 70s. I asked if they were for sale. I think they were going to throw them away but they sold them to me for $.10 each. I don't know if they are worth anything, but they have some great covers and were fun to read.

Ahrensdad · November 6, 2009 11:57PM

Last bump for the weekend crowd. Post your stories.

AJ2525 · November 7, 2009 2:06PM

Small potatoes from me...

I was at an estate sale in Colorado Springs and watched a guy push people aside to buy a handful of coins. Not sure what he got but he was certainly pleased with himself.

At another estate sale I couldn't go until later in the morning. Almost everything was bought except a 1910 Canadian quarter that I bought for a dollar. The lady said no one wanted it.

asheland · November 7, 2009 6:08PM

At a garage sale I got a sterling silver bowl (English) 25+ troy ounces for $2.00

SamByrd · November 8, 2009 8:10AM

my coin related estate sale is 2 rather dull ones. One was an old guy who died and his kin were selling his stuff from his car to his clothing everything. I seen a group of coins all stuff I did not want for the most part. I bought some Franklin's and other minor coins looked like BU'S put away when they were new.

I take this 58d Franklin and ask how much she looks at me and says I have to look it up in the book it was a red book 10 years old or more.
She says well I have to get 3 bucks for this coin being real serious too , she looked for about 5 mins or so in the book I thought it was pretty funny. I bought a handful of stuff and offered her fair prices that she took on anything I wanted. The coins were just widgets but it was fun looking through a accumulation put away in the late fifties and sixties. The 58 Franklin had cool ugly toning and its still lives in an old ms 63 set I have.

The other one was a cold day here not much happening at this sale. Nothing much really of interest to me. But I found a stack of old library of coins albums in great used condition the lady says how about 2 bucks each, she thought I was walking away and said a buck each then. I got a stack of these and they ended up on eBay or for my own use it was a very good buy.

Billet7 · November 8, 2009 1:20PM

A few months ago I purchased an old lithograph for $50 bucks that is worth over a grand. It is all original...frame, print, glass, nails, wire...all from the late 1800's and the frame is genuine 18k gold to boot! I was really excited.

Coin-wise, the only thing I found at an estate sale that was even somewhat exciting was a 1921 dime that I found in a junk box of coins. Not worth a whole lot, but significantly more valuable than I paid.

Dropdaflag · December 19, 2009 9:03AM

It is not a coin, but this past summer I found this for $10. A 1964 original.

rainbowroosie · December 19, 2009 9:46AM

Bunch of bullion gold at 12% under melt.

WoodenJefferson · December 19, 2009 11:41AM

My brothers wife bought an old chicken shaped piggy bank at a yard sale. She said everyone who picked it up shook it to see if there was anything in there, no sound of rattling coins, so they would set it down and move on. I think she said it was marked $3.00 and haggled it down to two bucks and bought it. When she got home she discovered the piggy bank was broken and was rather disappointed in her packing skills Pulling the two parts in two, she found 5 or 6 Indian Head cents stuck to the side of the broken ceramic. Apparently some kid stuck some kind of candy into the coin slot and over time, inadvertently glued the cents to the bottom of the chicken bank.

My brother called me after he soaked the cents off the ceramic, turns out they were all common dates, but they kept them to give to their own kids.

What's the best deal you ever found at an estate sale?

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