Researching, organizing, and evaluating a coin collection can be challenging in any situation. It can feel still more difficult when family members must make decisions quickly about coins needing immediate attention. The following points were offered to make estate-collection issues more manageable.
Determine If It’s a Collection or an Accumulation
For someone new to estate coins, first determine whether the group is actually a coin collection. An accumulation may simply be pocket change or coins that interested only their former owner.
Never Clean Estate Coins
Collectors often value patina, the green or brown film found on old coin surfaces. Cleaning permanently changes the surface—often an uncommon characteristic—and may severely reduce value. Uncirculated coins have their own distinctive patina as well, though it is generally frosty or snow-like in appearance.
Trace and Research the Coins
Look for records showing when and where estate coins were acquired and what they cost. Useful materials include printed descriptions, receipts, notes, booklets, and even older coin folders.
Two strong reference guides offer clear, detailed information for researching an estate coin collection. For U.S. coins, consult “A Guide Book of United States Coins.” For foreign coins, consult “The Standard Catalog of World Coins.” When this article was published, readers uncertain about a collection were invited to bring it to Atlanta Gold & Coin for help determining each coin’s value.
Be Sure to Keep These Certain Coins
The following U.S. coins were identified as deserving expert review:
- Pennies minted before 1959
- Nickels dated before 1955
- Dimes dated before 1965
- Quarters dated before 1965
- Half dollars dated before 1971
- Silver dollars dated before 1936
Also retain assembled albums, folders, packages, and coin sets. The same applied to coins and bullion made from precious metals, including gold, silver platinum, and palladium; coins already certified in third-party grading-service holders; and pieces already identified.
Seek an Evaluation From a Professional
For a professional evaluation and possible sale, seek a reputable coin dealer. The article suggested preferring dealers affiliated with the local Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce, and national organizations such as the American Numismatic Association.
When this article was originally published, Atlanta Gold & Coin reported that it was an A+ BBB member, belonged to widely recognized coin and bullion organizations, and had received Kudzu’s Atlanta Coin Dealer of the Year Award in three of the prior four years. It described the business as family owned and operated, specializing in buying, selling, and appraising coins collections of all sizes and types. At publication, readers were invited to call 404-236-9744 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
