Question

Sorry for your loss. Welcome to the forums. You have obtained some really nice sets. I'm at work and do not have access to my price guides, but I'm sure someone will pipe in soon with a estimate. Good luck! :)

First of all, I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you were given something of value in more ways than one.

You are right that it is almost impossible to give an estimate of value based on a description. We could provide a broad range of values, but they really wouldn't do you much good, so let me say a couple of things:

1. The coin sets you describe are wonderful, but in general, value of a set will be determined by the presence and condition of the 'key date' coins. Often dealers will disregard or largely discount the non-keys and focus on the keys. When selling, it's often advisable to sell the keys separately.

2. As a ballpark value, you're talking in the thousands rather than the hundreds.

3. We want pics.

4. Everyone will tell you this, but I'll say it again. Don't clean them. Do not handle them unless absolutely necessary and then only by the edges over a soft surface in case you drop one. Cotton gloves are cheap.

5. As previously noted, if you are planning a sale, please consider all of your options before dumping them at a pawn shop or through a local dealer, or even on ebay, because you'll need a lot of knowledge about your coins prior to creating a listing for them. Any of us with experience with such things on this website can help direct you to the best strategies to receive the best return on a sale. The fact that you came here shows you are smarter than the average inheritor.

6. There are price guides and there are price guides. The way I would recommend finding out the value is to learn a bit about condition (by posting pictures/reading books) and then looking at actual recent sales. If you are not planning on selling them, then it may be worth paying for an appraisal--it may be cheaper in the long run rather than learning 'all about coins' if you have no interest in making collecting a life-long hobby. The reason I always say it's better to pay for an appraisal is then the appraiser won't be conflicted by desire to procure your goods at the lowest possible price.

7. ASK QUESTIONS--that's why we're here. To learn and share our knowledge and passion. Thanks for coming and good luck.

Sorry for your loss too....... and those are some nice sets WOW ! Here, to get a value from forum members, or even just to show them, you really really need to post pictures of them. I also am having problems getting pics taken of some of the ones I want to put up here. I hope to make some more attempts soon, but an accurate value just isn't possible without good clear pics.
(i really need to try again with my own pics jeez!)

post some pictures(please) it sound like a great collection

Yes, your Grandmother passed along a nice collection to you. I am doing a similar thing for my kids, and or, grandkids. I enjoy my collection, and hope to pass it on someday.

Look forward to the pictures of them.

And, wish you for peace with your loss of your Grandmother.

Specifically as to the question of storage and the books they are in: if they are the kind into which you push the coins they are not the best kind of album and if you are going to keep the coins you will want better albums (Dansco is one leading company), or you could transfer to a number of better storage systems.

As already noted WELCOME to the forum and sorry for your loss. I know how the loss of loved ones feels being at a very old age and seeing most everyone I've even known gone now.
As to the coins in the albums. If your Grandmother was like me way back in time there was only Whitman Folders that you had to push the coins into. If those are what you have they are really bad for long term storage of coins. The back of the slots is full of glue to help hold the coins in but does effect the coins value. If this is what you have you should look into better Albums such as Dansco or Whitman Classic Albums with plastic slides so you an see both sides of the coins. If already in those, no problem, they are OK. I've been putting my coins in the Whitman Albums for many, many, many years. No problems of any kind.
You should look into purchasing a book called The Red Book published by Whitman. One of the cheapest places to buy is the Walmart Web site. You can find explanations of the coins, grades and way outdated prices. The PCGS web site also has prices but they too are a little off.
Pending your location you may want to investigate coin shows. Just do a Google type search with coin shows and the state you live in. If your near a border with other states try each state. Here in Illinois there are a minimum of 3 coin shows a month. There you can discuss your coins with others, get approximate values, purchase books on coins, see similar coins to the ones you have.
Keep away from coin shops, coin stores, etc until you know what you have and your plans for the future. If those were left to you it was done for a reason.

Like everyone else here, I think you should consider getting into collecting, you have a great start. However, I understand that coin collecting is not for everyone & you may just want to sell the collection for the most money with the least hassle. If that's the case you may consider consigning the collection with the forum Mom; there's a link on the left side of the screen.

You won't get as much as you would if you sold them yourself, but you will be treated fairly. I sold some of the coins I inherited through them & was happy with the service. Granted, I could have made more if I had sold them myself on ebay, but I didn't have to deal with listings, or photo's, or Paypal, or returns. In my case I wouldn't have averaged minimum wage for the time I would have spent dealing with all that. Your collection looks to be considerably more "dollar wise" than mine was, so the extra hassle might be worth your time.