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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,155 |
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New Member
United States
24 Posts |
Hi everyone! I want to apologize if this has been posted in the wrong area I couldn't seem to find a topic that fit fully. My mother sadly passed away and left my sister and me as co-executors of the estate. My sister has not been following the will but, unfortunately, it would be too time consuming and expensive to hire an attorney and fight her so this is my last opportunity to even things out a little. She removed a small safe of coins from the property (thankfully I have the key), but I did manage to get a few very general pictures of what was in the box before it was taken. This is where I am hoping for help. Early next week we are going to connect and review the coins for division. I am not sure if we will be dividing by bag, half bag, or by individual coin, but based on these very poor pictures (sorry), if you had to make a choice, what bags would you grab? If we divide by coin, do you have any recommendations, based on what you are able to see, as to what coins you might be on the lookout for? Thank you so much in advance!   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19126 Posts |
Unfortunate that things are tenuous with your situation. In general, it'd be wise if the two of you can agree to divide the coins equally, bag-to-bag-to-bag. Keep an eye on the silver, being sure to strike an even balance. The two photos seem to show a relatively large number of circulated pre-1965 US silver coins.
Others will chime in with more thorough suggestions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1484 Posts |
Sorry for your situation and best of luck. Definitely separate the clad coins from the silver. For U.S. coinage, 1964 and earlier is 90% silver for dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars. Halves from 1965 to 1970 are 40% silver. Hard to tell from the photos exactly what all is there.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6514 Posts |
I too am sorry for your loss and the unfortunate lack of integrity on your sister's behalf. Like others have mentioned be on the lookout for silver. Might want to invest in an inexpensive Little Red Coin Guide Book so you would be able to tell if there are any ~key~ dates or anything of numismatic value beyond its face or silver content value.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7934 Posts |
Playing the probabilities ... 1. Skip the pennies and nickels . From the look of this collection, almost everything was pulled from circulation, and many Buffalo nickels had their dates worn away (and hence are worthless from a numismatic viewpoint) even before they were pulled from circulation, and it is very unlikely there is a Lincoln Cent or even an Indian Head cent in there worth more than a dollar or two (" War Nickels" being the one exception). 2. Stay away from the statehood quarters and anything else post-1968, including the Ike dollars. They are rarely worth much more than face value, unless in top condition. 3. Go for the silver as mentioned by others. Based on bullion content, a Mercury dime or pre-1965 Roosevelt dime is worth $1.65, a pre-1965 quarter $4.12 and a pre-1965 half dollar $8.24. Above all, don't let this item be the source of any enmity. It's not worth it. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
24885 Posts |
 To the Forum. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
876 Posts |
It truly is a sad situation when matters such as this create animosity amongst loved ones. This does not appear to be "mother load" that will bring riches to those involved. Unless there are very exceptional examples hidden within. Where I live there are several exceptional LCS that charge a reasonable fee too evaluate the value of your collection. Or, as mentioned earlier, get the Red Book for a neighborhood value and have an idea before you approach someone else. Also, you have the the option of a local auction. Often times, local auctions will break these down into lots and people will pay exorbitant prices for a lot for 1 or 2 coins in the lot. I do not think any party involved will retire on this collection. Often times auctions yield more than the LCS that charges you for their time to search the lot. Many options are at your disposal. Do not alienate family for a few bucks. Find a fair value and half it. Stay friends. This is not a life changing event unless there are one of a kind examples buried in there. A reputable dealer will let you know. Best of luck to you in your solution. Mine is only an opinion. There would have to be an awful lot of money involved here for me to part ways with family. I do not see that here based on images. Base your choices on your desires. My best to all. Based on what I see, I bid $1500. |
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New Member
 United States
24 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
@alwhi, first welcome to CCF. Second, those are great pics of the individual coins. The drums look like they weren't fully struck, but I don't know that this will add anything to their value. The '43 cent is interesting, but highly damaged and also worth pretty close to face value. Consider posting the date and mint of the silver coins here and we can tell you if there is anything special in this accumulation.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19126 Posts |
Inspect all the D mint bicentennial quarters closely. There is a rare doubled die obverse ( DDO) which can be valued well into three figures, depending on the coin's condition. The DDO shows most prominently in LIBERTY. Check this image: https://www.coincommunity.com/forum...6dddo005.jpg |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3848 Posts |
I agree with the others. I would recommend that if you aren't expecting to become a coin expert in a few days, stick with the basics. Aim for the silver coins. Errors and varieties is one big rabbit hole that you do an infinite amount of research on. Avoid modern 1976 dual-date coins, State Quarters, and any modern coins including cents and nickels. Upon closer inspection of the collection, it seems like there could be a few thousand dollars worth of pre1965 silver. I don't see anything very old, but if you see something silver from the 1800's, snag it. I am sorry for the situation you are in with you sister, hopefully it becomes better in the future. Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves. |
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Valued Member
United States
143 Posts |
It sounds like an interesting and difficult decision, alongside all of the additional details you have mentioned - my condolences and best to your family.
A part of me wants the two of you to sit down and mull the collection over together, trying to establish value and equal shares. Based on your post and comment, this may be unfortunately unfeasible.
As others have said, I hope this doesn't form a rift between the two of you as you work through your loss. Take care, stay well
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New Member
United States
24 Posts |
Thank you all so much for your help. It means more to me than you know. I will definitely be taking all if your comments and suggestions into consideration and look forward to learning as much as I can about the coins I currently have and those I acquire in the future. Maybe I will even learn enough in time that I can help others in the future like you have helped me. #128536;
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18644 Posts |
sorry about whats going on. I can tell you what I did when my father passed. he wasnt a collector but worked in a field where he put away a box full of coins, mostly silver dollars. I have 4 siblings but we were in agreement as to how to equitably distribute them. they allowed me to sort them, grade them and price each one in a excel spreadsheet. we divided the total value by 5 and I separated the coins so that each received an equal value portion. everyone was fine with that. the problem you have is its quite a large quantity to go through and doesn't look like sister may be as congenial especially since she already has them which is sad.
one note, dont let something like this to destroy your relationship. its not worth it
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New Member
United States
24 Posts |
I really do wish it were only about coins because it would truly be simple for me, she could have them, but at this point it is so much more. They are just the tip of the iceberg. I actually recommended that we sort them, divide the less valuable ones, and get the ones that we thought might be more valuable appraised, but she wouldn't agree. Of course she has been living in the house she was willed for over a year now yet still refuses to sign off on anything that I was willed, including $475,000 that I am still not able to gain access to, so I really didn't think she would agree to the coins. Hopefully this week will be the start of new beginnings. So sad that an already sad situation was made so much worse by greed.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18644 Posts |
this happens more than you think. when it comes to money sadly in a lot of cases it supersedes blood. that sad part is that this will most likely drive a wedge between you that will never be resolved
i saw this with my grandfather passed between my dads siblings. they went to the grave with nothing but disdain for each other.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,155 |
Posted 10/09/2021 09:51 am
