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 Replies: 18 / Views: 4,770 |
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New Member
Canada
5 Posts |
I have a philedelphia double eagle $20 coin from 1891, in perfect condition. Need to find out what it's worth any estimates, without seeing it! Late relative got them at the bank when they came out, apparently.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Welcome to Coin Community, double eagle. Your coin, if real, is an extreme rarity and worth into five figures even in circulated condition. If uncirculated, value ranges into six digits.
It is with this rarity in mind that I am cautious about evaluating it; it's a prime candidate for counterfeiting. This coin must be authenticated and graded by one of the reputable third-party grading firms, if you are quite sure it's real. Nobody who has that kind of money to spend on one coin would consider purchasing it without such authentication, except from the finest of dealers.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
Welcome! I completely agree with SuperDave. Authentication is a must! We would love to see some pictures.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
Welcome to CCF!
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Not sure if you are a collector or not. If you are, you already know this.
If you're not, make sure it is protected! Is it in a slab from a grading company?
The slightest dings, bumps or bruises will signifcantly hurt its value! Condition is everything.
You said your late relative bought "them". Is there more than one?
Edited by Scooby Due
10/26/2010 12:59 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
 Please post pictures on both sides if possible. Be very careful with this piece and hold it only by the rims (edges). There are very few 1891 Double Eagles known to exist. 1891-S is a common date however. Check below the eagle on the reverse (tails) to see if an "S" is present. Best of Luck! |
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New Member
 Canada
5 Posts |
I know it is authentic, the only question I have is, is it for sure a philadelphia coin! It has no marking underneith the eagle so I figured it had to be!! No cc no s no nothing. Is there any other way to tell! How do I go about getting it authenticated, and where would you sell an item like this?This was a coin passed down from generation to generation.And only handled by about 5 family members!Was received directly from the bank, may even be able to find out which one!
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Make arrangements with a reputable local dealer to send it to PCGS. I do not know where you are, and cannot therefore make a recommendation, but it wold be a good first step to have a dealer who is familiar with this coinage inspect it first. I do not mean just any decent dealer, but one who has a specialty in high-end US gold coinage. Look for a dealer here: http://www.pcgs.com/dealers/The cost for the services varies by the value of the coin. If your coin has never seen circulation, never been cleaned and is genuine, you can expect its' worth to be well over $100,000. The cost to authenticate and grade such a coin is $250, plus the cost of insured Registered Mail to and from PCGS. It should then be liquidated via consignment through a large auction house such as Heritage, Bowers & Merena or Stack's. Although it is possible that a very high-end coin dealer might have a customer looking for this specific coin, there would be a great deal of legwork involved. I reiterate the call for pictures, if it's within your ability.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Here's a genuine 1891 Double Eagle in AU condition. It's a $15,000 coin. Compare your coin to it and if it compares favorably, ANACS is a good source for certification. Keep that baby locked up!  Edited by BH1964
10/26/2010 02:14 am
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New Member
Canada
5 Posts |
Can you take it directly to these authenticators, would have a hard time sending it through the mail! Also how much would it be to insure something like this when you send it!! Would have a hard time seeing it leave my site!!It is much better shape then the one above! It is in safe place! But maybe not protected properly, I am not a collector, so don't even know the best possible coin holder or sleve to have it in!!This piece should probably be in a museum or something, are there such things as coin museums.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Using Registered Mail is safe and cheaper than you might expect for the level of insurance involved. I'd consider an Internet search for a major coin dealer in your area. Also, some pictures posted here or e-mailed to a dealer will be of great help. For now you need to house the coin in an "Air-Tite" type holder. You can search the web and find them cheap. Good Luck!
And yes, there are coin museums!
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New Member
Canada
5 Posts |
Thank you all very much for your help! Will keep in contact with this forum over the next few months!I really wish I was able to post pictures for you! Maybe in the future! Once again thank-you very much! Are there coin auctions that you would recommend once it is certified, or how would a person go about trying to sell a $100,000 coin! Scary to even think about!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
Welcome to the forum! Here are some links to the websites for Heritage, Bowers and Merena, and Stack's. These are all very reputable auction houses that regularly deal with such rarities. You should be able to get some more information about the consignment process from their websites. http://www.ha.com/http://www.bowersandmerena.com/http://www.stacks.com/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
Sounds like a great find, but while it's good to be optimistic, don't be overly confident believing it's 100% real. Just because a family member has passed it down or has told you a story doesn't make it true. A lot can happen in 120 years. The only reason I'm saying this is given the rarity of the coin. I hope it works out and you're able to get it authenticated, graded and sold. Good luck.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
Good point DavidZerbato. Before sending it in for authentication, I'd highly recommend either posting pictures of the coin on this thread, or taking it to a dealer for examination before sending it in. If it's an obvious fake or altered mintmark, we can spot it right away, or a dealer could too. This would save you the money of having to send it in and being rejected as not genuine. If it's not obviously fake, then it's definitely worth submitting.
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Valued Member
United States
98 Posts |
Since you've said that it has been passed down through the generations, don't sell it! Keep it and pass it on to the next generation so they can appreciate it and pass it on to subsequent generations. I do recommend getting it authenticated and slabbed though; a slab from a third party grading service is the best choice for long term coin storage since they are airtight.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
The good news on if it's a fake is that many were made with real gold, so you at least have that going for you.
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Replies: 18 / Views: 4,770 |
Posted 10/26/2010 12:57 am
