Advice About Divesting Grandfather's Coin Collection.

Thanks for your reply, Kurt. Yes, he had been collecting for decades. His interest started as a child. His counter clerk finds were collected between about 1946 and 1977. Between 1976 and his death in 1995 he mostly collected from pocket change with a few purchased sets and commemoratives.

Here are the dates on Grandpa's Indian head pennies, along with the quantity of each (for whatever that's worth):

1 1880
2 1882
2 1883
1 1884
2 1886
7 1887
4 1888
5 1889
7 1890
4 1891
6 1892
2 1893
1 1894
4 1895
1 1896
11 1897
5 1898
12 1899
10 1900
18 1901
11 1902
11 1903
8 1904
9 1905
17 1906
11 1907
6 1908
2 1909

Thanks for the list! I see mostly the more common date ranges, but of course--check for those 1908-S and 1909-S.

One of the most valuable US cents ever was minted in 1888. Here's a picture of the 1888/7 overdate. This particular copy would clear $100K if sold today.
While it's very rare, I'm sure there are undiscovered copies somewhere.




1897 Common otherwise, but there's a fun variety with a lot of collector interest (and added value).
This is one you can almost spot without a loupe. Look for the digit punched in the neck:



1887 There is a very dramatic DDO that's worth a premium. Check for doubling in AMERICA. It should match this:



1882 There is a pretty rare and valuable coin with misplaced digit punches in the neck:

Malissa, I noted the mint mark on each coin as I inventoried them, so I'm thinking these were unmarked, but I'll check when I get home. I'll also check for Kurt's markings and post photos of anything I find.

Thanks for your help,

Jon

to the forum!

I agree with everyone else, take your time! Learning and attributing everything can be overwhelming, so do not hesitate to post any questions (and pictures as Malissa suggested) to the forum. We love to help!

If you take something to a coin dealer, tell them you are shopping around and not necessarily wanting to sell at the time. Limit your exposure. Only take a few things (to avoid the "bulk rate" mentioned above) and avoid being too detailed on the size of this collection until you get to know the dealer.

When it comes time to sell and you have offers from dealers, and if you feel comfortable sharing, post what you are selling and what the offers are before you commit; every opinion counts!

Lastly, I highly recommend picking out some pieces (something significant, like birth years, etc.) and keep them for sentimental reasons. Give them to your children or grandchildren. They do not have to be the most expensive items, just something that will help future generations remember where they came from! It is also quite possible that, with all this research, the collecting bug will get you and what better way to start your own collection than with some items that belonged to your grandfather?