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 Replies: 10 / Views: 5,213 |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
While cleaning my grandmother's "hoarding house" we found coins everywhere. I don't know if it could be called a true collection but I do know a story that at one point in the 60 or 70's she had a gold coin supposively worth thousands that was stolen from her so I am assuming the other coins she does have could possibly be of good value.
Anyway what should I do? I am probably more interested in selling most of it and only saving some. The collection is pretty large in my opinion, about 9 cookie tins full and a few other little containers. The tins are about the size of a dinner plate and about three inches tall.
So far they have been sitting in a chest in my house and only sifted through a little. I bought a coin collecting book but there is just so many coins I don't know where to start. Does anyone know a reputable buyer/seller in the south-central PA area that I could possibly take the collection to?
Also I believe they are all american money coins and I do have some old paper money also. Edited by jmowens875
03/03/2011 10:20 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
This happens frequently. Not sure but you might want to try the Search Tab at the top for the word inherited. Don't know how much time you have or your monitary situation but I'd be real carefull with those coins. To start with you should really take the time to know what you may or may not have. A Red Book by Whitman Publishing is only a start and you should really spsnd the time looking up coins you have. First thing is you said Cookie Tins. If in fact metal containers, get all coins out of those. Start by sorting out everything as to pennies, nickels, etc. Then once that is done try separating the ones by dates so you can see what is what by dates. A real word of caution is not to run around mentioning this to many people since home invasions in many instances are due to people saying to much of what they have at home. Next, DO NOT take them to a coin store or even a list to a coin store unless you really know the people that work or own the place. Coin unknowing people get taken all the time since they really don't know what is what. All this may take time but one coin worth thousands of dollars may well be worth the trouble. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2602 Posts |
I agree with just carl. Take your time to carefully sort them and move them all to plastic containers. Handle every coin carefully, because condition counts for a lot and fingerprints can destroy a coins value. Separate into older (pre 1965 for dimes, quarters and above; pre 1960 for nickels, pre-1959 for cents) versus modern (1965-present, basically almost all worth face valule unless there are rare coins or proofs) and by denomination (cent, nickel, dime, etc). Use Red Book to help you with values and if you think you have any keepers, post them here for help- Red Book is a great resource, but values in tehre are inflated. |
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New Member
 United States
2 Posts |
OK thank you. Yes they are probably metal I will move them to plastic soon. I believe the book I have is the red one you are talking about. I'm currently a stay at home mom but will be getting a job soon but can find the time I'm sure. That is true if I find one worth a few thousand the time will be well spent.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3184 Posts |
first gather up all the coins and then slowly sort them out. Post pictures if you need help here.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As noted handle with care for now. Little scratches on rare coins lowers their values. Same with dents, corrosion, staining, etc. The reasons for not storing in a metal container are rather on the technical side so won't bore you. As to the Red Book. If you have one that says on top The Official Red Book, that is the correct one. Also, in large lettering A guide Book of the Unitied States Coins. The latest edition is the 2011 version. The prices in that book are usually about 20% to 25% over real life though so if you have a version of a few years older than the 2011, the prices should be more logical. And remember, those prices are the selling prices of a dealer. If you ant to sell them to a dealer, he needs to make a profit so you would never get what you really think they are worth. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19942 Posts |
Welcome to CC! They forgot to mention...DO NOT CLEAN THE COINS! Collectors like 'em dirty and grimy. If you clean them, they will lose 80+% of their value. It may seem like a lot of work, but it's WELL worth your time in case you have anything of real collector value in those tins: First thing to do is to separate them by type. Cents, nickels, dimes, quarters, etc. Pick a pile to work on then open your Red Book at see what the key dates are, i.e. the most valuable. Also look for high grade coins, it they look like they were made yesterday, set those aside and they could be worth a lot more. The most important step is to search them for KEY DATE coins! One key date could be worth thousands! GOOD LUCK.....and follow carl's advice! Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
jmowens875...I'm in south central Pa and would be glad to help you out
Edited by Maineman750
03/03/2011 3:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
Just checked you profile jmowens...I'm close enough that I pick up my Comcast equipment in Ship
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1733 Posts |
When you say plastic, I hope you mean mylar coin flips. Good luck with your collection!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1397 Posts |
Quote:
and I do have some old paper money also. I'm interested in this. Can you be more specific? Some pictures would help as well. There is also a section in the forums right above this one dealing with paper money http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...p?FORUM_ID=8 |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 5,213 |
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Posted 03/03/2011 10:50 am
