Thinking it’s time to sell your collection?

Here are 3 easy steps to get you started!

It’s a tough decision to make, but it’s one that most collectors face at some point – determining that it’s time to sell your collection. It could be because you’ve completed one series, and would like to make room for something new. Perhaps you’ve inherited a collection, and it just isn’t the right fit for you. Or maybe it’s simply that you’re no longer active in the hobby.

Either way, selling a collection is a deeply personal decision – one that takes some consideration! If you’re thinking about selling yours, here are three steps you can take to get the process started:

1. Know what you have. If it’s a collection you’ve inherited, take some time to familiarize yourself with the coins it holds. Even if you assembled the collection yourself, it’s worthwhile to reacquaint yourself with the pieces you have, perhaps even make a formal list. To get a more in-depth idea of what you have, you can take a look at Whitman’s Handbook of United States Coins (aka, the official “Blue Book”) or their Almanac of United States Coins. These are comprehensive guides that will help you to both get a feel for what you have, and create an inventory.Another question you’ll want to know the answer to is: how is your collection stored? Is it organized into albums or folders? Are any of your pieces certified by an independent grading service? Or has the lot been stashed away in a container, handed down through the generations? (If that’s the case, here’s a great article on keeping your coins safe…)

2. Choose the right selling option for you. Should you try selling your coins over the Internet yourself, or should you go with a reputable dealer? We recommend choosing a trusted name in the industry – this means you’ll enjoy the reassurance of dealing with trained professionals who are always on the lookout for collections to buy! Well-established companies hold a high standing and reputation both within the industry and their own community. It takes a long time to build a good name, and a company that has one won’t want to tarnish it by making you an unfair offer.
3. Make sure you’re comfortable with your choice before moving forward. Before you commit to selling your hard-earned (or inherited) collection, make sure that you’re completely comfortable with who you’ve chosen to help you. Be sure to look for companies that are associated with the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG).

By following these three steps, you can rest easy as you start the process of selling your collection! Being prepared means you’ll know that you’re placing your collection in the hands of someone who will care for it as well as you have.