Help! Unsealed, Original Bank Bag Of Unc 1955 S Pennies

I would say don't open the bag. How many unopened bags like this are there?

I will add my opinion to the mix. I say keep them in the sealed bag, the more original the item, the more it will bring. Ever watch Antiques Roadshow? Anytime an item is in it's original condition, original box, etc. it is worth more.

My suggestion is, search ebay for concluded auction prices per roll. Then determine a reserve price for your quantity plus a premium for the original sealed bag. With all your pic's of the seal, cashiers receipt and burlap bag run the auction and if it does not sell, wait 2 weeks and try again. If your friend is hard pressed for the cash, start selling by the roll.

I would leave them bagged and tagged. Right now it's one of a kind. You should be able to find an investor that is willing to pay a premium for that. If you sell them one at a time on ebay you will have 200 different listing fees, final value fees, shipping fees...

WOW! One heck of a situation you have there! There's a LOT of options!

First off, the CDN (Coin Dealer News) ask value of these is $24/roll and $22 bid. However, since these are OBW (Original Bank Wrapped), the value is higher. I would estimate the value is about $28-30 per roll retail.

Now, any collector looking to buy these would have the intent of reselling them, so I seriously doubt you'll realize that much per roll if you sell them in the bulk bag. A reseller would be looking to pay $18-20 per roll so they can make a profit reselling them.

Now, an important question: How fast does he need to sell them?

The highest amount they could bring would be realized by opening the bag and selling them individually using the pictures and documentation you have. The cost in fees if you choose ebay would easily be off-set by the extra profit. However, this will take a lot of time, trouble and expense.

Selling them as they are in bulk, at whole sale, will bring a quick and painless sale, but at less gain.

Right now, as a quick and easy estimation, I would take the bag to a couple of local dealers and see what they would offer you. IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK. I would expect the offers to be about $18/roll x 200 = $3600. Certainly not enough to pay for college, but I don't think you'll get near that much no matter how you decide to sell them. Even at $28/roll, you'd only get $5600.

It all comes down to how much time and effort is going to put into the sale of these.

did I mention I'm up for more input, suggestions, etc? :)

Just another thought, Are there any coin shows in your area, if so take some awesome pictures and bring them and show everyone, WHO KNOWS. Also call ALL your local coin shops and see what they offer, and this forum has some very trusted people SUSAN AND BOBBY, I have not dealt with them, however I have seen and heard testimonials praising their work and ethics. Also post another 43 posts quickly and I for one would gladly purchase some of those beauties.......PS: Do you have to have 50 posts to have things consigned?

Good morning all!

I don't know if there are any coin shows in the area...I guess I need to find out. We are certain now that we will be selling the bag unopened, so there is that. I'm sure that whoever DOES buy it will likely open it and sell the rolls, but my friend does not want to be the one who does it. :)

So, I like the idea of an auction house advertising it and creating a buzz, though I'm not familiar with the ones Stew mentioned. More research! Also, the idea of consigning it to Susan and Bobby seems like a good plan too...

Of course, I would love to be able to save her the fees if I can...i will talk to her at length today.

So...who wants to give me an idea of a good reserve estimate for this bag might be? Just so I don't screw it up if I do find a local dealer?

Thanks!

I have consigned more than a few thousand dollars in coins through Bobby and Susan here on CCF and they are 100% trustworthy and also presented my product in a very professional way.
They get my absolute HIGHEST recommendations.

Yeah I thought there were two bags as well. I guess one bag already got opened and rolled up, the other left in the bag.
Well then, this is even more the reason to sell both ways. By the roll and by the bag once.
Since this was in the plastic all this time. I say keep it and keep it safe as it is from environmental damage.

If it happens to be all different dates when it gets opened someday, that would not be a bad thing at all. You know there are some great coins in there. Probably even an Indian Head cent or who knows what? That would be truly an unsearched bag!
Possibly even better than a 1955 S solid bag.
Because in 1955 many of the coins would be considered more common in a time capsule like that. I wouldn't mind having your problem. LOL!
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She has 100 rolls of 1955 S pennies. They were purchased by her father in 1955 directly from the bank after arriving from the SF mint.

The original burlap bag has not been opened. The bag is still sealed and tagged with the original red identification tag.

Maybe this can be clarified?
I read it as if there is or was two. One rolled, one bag still intact.