Most heirs aren't collectors. Q. David Bowers, quoted by the American Numismatic Association, observed that "19 out of 20 heirs who inherit coins have little interest in continuing the parent's hobby, and… they set about selling them—often in the wrong way" (ANA).

That isn't a failure of love. It's a lack of information. A one- or two-page letter fixes most of it.

Why it matters

Heirs may not know the collection exists. One law firm warns that without a written inventory, "heirs may not even realize the collection exists" (THK Law).
The easiest buyer isn't always the best one. The ANA quotes an expert noting that many heirs "sell the collection quickly for cash, but this method frequently returns only a small portion of the potential value" (ANA). When CoinWeek shopped a single graded coin around, the dealers most accessible to a non-collecting family "are the ones that offered me the least money" (CoinWeek).
Your family can't read your mind. PCGS asks: "does your attorney know about your numismatic holdings?" and reminds collectors that "you can't assume that others, including your closest family members, know what you want." It suggests keeping the list with the coins and with your attorney or executor, and naming a dealer or auction house you trust (PCGS).

The template

Copy this, fill it in, and give copies to the people who need them. Keep sensitive details (like exact storage locations) only where your attorney advises.

To my family: about my collection

Date written: ____________ Last reviewed: ____________

1. What I collect I collect: ☐ coins ☐ paper money ☐ bullion ☐ trading cards ☐ comics ☐ autographs ☐ other: ________ Roughly how many items: ________

2. Where the records are My full inventory with photos is: ☐ in my Collector Portal account ☐ printed and kept with ________ ☐ other: ________ Receipts and purchase records are: ________ A copy of this letter is also with: ________ (attorney / executor / trusted person)

3. Where the items are Tell my executor or attorney to ask ________ for storage details. (Don't write vault combinations or exact locations here unless your attorney says to.)

4. What I'd like to happen ☐ Keep these items in the family: ________ ☐ These items go to: ________ ☐ Sell the rest, without rushing. Other wishes: ________

5. Who to call

Category	Person or company I trust	Phone / email
Coins
Cards
Comics
Autographs
My attorney
My CPA / tax preparer
My insurance agent

6. Please don't

Don't clean anything. Cleaning can permanently lower what collectors will pay. (Why)
Don't sell everything to the first buyer. Get two or three itemized written offers.
Don't take items out of their holders or break up sets.
Don't post photos online showing the collection or where it's kept.

7. A note from me ________________________________________________

Signed: ____________

Keep it current

Review the letter once a year, and whenever you add or sell something significant. Put a reminder on your calendar.

Want a guide to share with your family?

The ANA publishes a guide, Managing and Settling a Numismatic Estate (ANA Estate Guide). Our Inherited Collection kit is written for the family side of this, too.

Try it in your portal

Export your Collection Report for heirs and insurers. It includes a "who to call" page you can fill in, and it pairs with this letter.

Talk to your own attorney and CPA

How this letter fits with your will, trust or other documents is a question for your estate-planning attorney. How inherited items are treated for taxes is a question for your CPA or tax preparer. Choice Custom Collections does not give legal or tax advice and does not act as an executor or trustee.

Educational only. This is not insurance, tax, legal or investment advice. This template is not a legal document and does not replace a will, trust or power of attorney.