Country What country are you in? What country is the coin from? You would be best to find your nearest dealer, museum or public library. In fact, wherever you live, and whatever the coin you have found, the best starting point is always going to be the nearest one. Museums Your nearest museum can help you identify most coins. If you live in a country with public museums, make use of them. Museums will not usually value a coin for you. Libraries Try your local public library, especially one with a reference section. They will have access to many good coin books, and other aids to identification. Don`t expect the librarian to be able to identify and value your coin, but they can help you find the right books. Identify First It may sound obvious, but the first stage is to identify your coin, only after this will you be able to find its value. Grade Second The most important aspect affecting the value of a coin is often its condition, otherwise called its state of preservation, or its grade. Most collectors prefer their coins to be in mint condition, or at least as close as possible. Even quite rare coins may be almost worthless in worn condition. Value Third Once you know what the coin is, you can start to work out its value. Apart from its age, date, type and condition, supply and demand are what will dictate the price at which a coin is likely to change hands. What Do You Mean By "Value" Stop to think for a moment about what you mean by "value"! Do you mean a buying price or a selling price. Don`t forget a dealers selling price would be your buying price, and his buying price would be your selling price. Prices quoted in most catalogues are dealers selling prices. Because dealers expect to make a profit, you should expect to get less than catalogue. Valuation or Offer to Buy? Do you want a valuation or an "offer to buy"? Most professional numismatists (coin dealers) will make a charge for providing a professional service such as a valuation, and they will still need to know whether the valuation you desire is for insurance, replacement, probate, disposal, or some other purpose. You would not expect an accountant or lawyer to provide his services free, so don`t expect a coin dealer to give away free valuations either, unless you are prepared to call round and service his car free in return! If you want a valuation, make it clear that you expect to pay for the service. If want you need is an "offer to buy", then ask the dealer if he wishes to make an offer to purchase your coin. Most dealers specialise, and may not be interested in your coin. |