Finding Value: Guide to Buying Coins in Goods Sales

A ton of estate sales contain many hidden treasures from years of hoarding by the owners. If you are a coin collector, estate sales are often a treasure trove of valuable old coin finds. Purchasing coins from estate sales is great because, unlike the internet, you can inspect the item closely and there is no associated shipping time or cost. You get instant gratification and the thrill of the hunt!

Another advantage of buying coins from an estate sale is that the person you are buying from may have been a collector, so the coins could be in good or mint condition. If you are not sure of the value of the coin, you should take out your mobile phone or laptop or call a friend to do a quick search on the Internet. There are many catalog books that give the value of coins as well, so feel free to make that investment and take it with you. It is critical to be informed about what you are actually buying.

When looking for coins at local real estate sales, beware of chests or crates full of coins, because it’s not hard to cram a load of worthless change into a bin to make it look more valuable. Many sellers will do this to trick a person into thinking they might be buying something that has valuables hidden inside when in fact there are none. If you see words in the ad that refer to a “coin collection” being offered, that’s what you want to do. These personal compilations are usually extensive, curated, and well-curated. If you can buy from someone who had a passion for collecting and it was a hobby, then you’re all the better for it.

Another thing to watch out for is vendors that offer a bonus for buying coins. Usually the coins contain little to no value and the seller is just looking for someone to take them off their hands. Keep in mind that once you purchase items at a real estate sale, there are no returns, so you’ll need to be extra careful with this. If you can’t do your research on coins or know exactly what to look for, then it’s better not to dish out your hard-earned dough rather than blindly buy something and spend your loot. Therefore, always try to collect as much information about the coins as possible before making your purchase.