Lesson 108.1: Reading sold results, not asking prices

"A coin is worth what you can get for it, not what a price guide says" (CoinWeek). Asking prices tell you what sellers hope for; completed (sold) results tell you what buyers actually paid. Compare like with like: same item, same grade, same grader, recent dates.

Before you buy, CoinWeek suggests asking whether the dealer "would be willing to buy it back… and if so, for how much" (CoinWeek). And always verify the cert yourself.

Lesson 108.2: Consigning vs. selling outright

Selling outright to a dealer is fast. Dealers offer less than they expect to sell for, because that's how they stay in business (PCGS).
Consigning or auctioning can take longer and involves fees. PCGS notes auction buyer's fees run around 20%, and lower-value coins are often grouped into lots (PCGS).
Know who specializes in what you have. Specialists in a series often understand it best (CoinWeek).
Time is part of the price. A rushed sale usually means fewer choices. In one court case, a forced sale to pay for care meant taking a quick offer instead of a likely higher net through consignment (Karwoski opinion).
Get two or three itemized written offers before deciding.

Lesson 108.3: Planning while you're in charge

Dealers quoted by the ANA suggest some collectors consider selling during their lifetime so they can "control… the process" (ANA). Whether that's right for you is a personal decision. Talk it over with your family and your own advisors.

Lesson 108.4: If I get sick: who can act, and what do they need?

Lesson 108.5: The heir letter: a template for your family

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Fill in the "who to call" page of your Collection Report: one trusted contact per category.

Talk to your own attorney and CPA

Estate questions belong with your estate-planning attorney; tax questions with your CPA or tax preparer. Choice Custom Collections does not give legal or tax advice. Our consultations are informational and are not a certified appraisal.

Educational only. This is not insurance, tax, legal or investment advice. Collectibles can lose value; past prices don't predict future ones.

Sources

Course 108

108: Buying, Selling & Estates
If I Get Sick: Who Can Act, and What Do They Need?
The Heir Letter: A Template for Your Family

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Last reviewed 2026-10-28 · Draft

108: Buying, Selling & Estates