If you are a coin collector, there are just two possibilities – you’re looking for rare coins or you’re looking for rare collectors. The first case is definitely fine. The latter is a huge job. These days when government and private bodies inflict stricter rules in collecting coins, it’s hard to find a good collector more than it is hard to find a rare coin.
But that doesn’t have to be a problem; all you need to do first is obtain coin collector prices. This way, you’ll be able to grasp an idea as to how much your collection really costs, if your rare coins are apt and appealing for selling. You might have the rarest coin in the world, but if you don’t have any idea about coin collector prices, you might just get a little frustrated.
Graded coins will definitely give you “know-how” in coin collector prices. It’s easy to find tables of prices of different coins along with their corresponding grades. You can search the internet for free coin price charts. Or better yet, buy the latest issue of a coin pricing publication; you should be able to find these on major bookstores.
If you don’t know the grade of your coins, it’s going to be a tragedy. But not really. All you need to do is have your collection graded by a rare coin specialist. In the United States, the PCGS or Profession Coin Grade Service is one of the authorizing bodies that do coin grading.
Another good option to obtain coin collector prices is by visiting coin trading companies. These companies are very much interested in looking into your collection and give you expert evaluation of your coins’ worth. It’s best to know a few important things when consulting coin trading companies.
Take some time to visit their offices. While most trading companies allow phone-in inquiry, it would be very helpful for you if you bring along your coin, and not necessarily all of your collection, to their place. Their staff of coin specialists will review the condition and rarity of your coin and will give it a price in no time.
If you should go for phone-in inquiry, it might take you more time and preparation. You need to know the exact weight of the coin, full description of the coin’s state and complete measurement that includes the diameter and thickness.
Best of all, don’t expect to get higher coin collector prices. One unfortunate fact of life about coin collecting is that not all coins are in demand. There might probably be more of those coins you have than interested coin collectors. It’s a simple and practical example of supply and demand. Just remember that coins are treasure, so take care of them and preserve their value.