As a lifelong numismatist and rare coin dealer, I‘ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts the Internet has brought to the hobby. Online marketplaces have unlocked vast new opportunities for collectors to buy, sell and research coins from the comfort of home. But with this tremendous opportunity also comes challenges, especially for collectors looking to sell.
How do you safely and profitably convert your rarities to cash online? Which venue will get you the best price and experience? As someone who‘s built an award-winning coin business online over the past 15 years, I‘ll share my insider knowledge on how to successfully sell your coins on the web.
Whether you‘re a seasoned collector, an inheritor of a coin collection, or just have a few interesting pieces gathering dust, this in-depth guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to get top dollar for your coins online. Let‘s get started!
The State of the Coin Market
Despite recessions, stock market gyrations and the rise of cryptocurrencies, the rare coin market remains incredibly robust. In 2022, the global coin and banknote market was valued at $17.2 billion, with the U.S. accounting for the largest share.
Across nearly all collecting categories – from ancient coins to modern issues – prices realized at auction continue to reach astonishing new highs. In just the last two years, world records were shattered for:
- A 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, which sold for $18.87 million
- A 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, which brought $12 million
- A 1787 Brasher Doubloon, which fetched $9.36 million
Of course, not every coin is a seven or eight-figure mega-rarity. But even relatively "common" coins in superb condition routinely sell for impressive sums online. A 1955 Lincoln Wheat cent graded MS-65 Red by PCGS – a coin with a mintage of over 330 million – sold for $3,960 on eBay in 2021.
The takeaway? There‘s never been a better time to sell coins online. But to get the best results, you need to intimately understand the leading marketplaces, how to present your coins in their best light, and proven tactics to maximize your proceeds. Let‘s dive in.
The Best Online Marketplaces for Selling Coins
With countless websites catering to numismatists, how do you choose the best venue to sell your coins? Having sold over $25 million in collectible coins online, I‘ve found consistent success with the following five platforms:
1. eBay
Launched in 1995, eBay pioneered the modern online auction and remains a juggernaut for selling coins today. Consider these stats:
- eBay‘s coins & paper money category saw $2.3 billion worth of transactions in 2021
- 177 million active buyers use the platform worldwide
- Over 1.6 million coin listings are live on eBay at any given time
eBay is best for collectors looking to sell both graded and raw coins valued from a few dollars up to around $10,000. The market-leading audience size, robust search functionality, shopping cart feature, and well-oiled fulfillment system make eBay a dependable, convenient choice.
To sell, you‘ll pay a 12.9% final value fee plus $0.30 per transaction. You can choose to auction your coins or set a fixed price. One downside is the immense competition – your listing must truly shine to get noticed. And while rare, scams and fraudulent buyers do crop up from time to time.
2. Heritage Auctions
When it comes to the high end of numismatics, Heritage Auctions reigns supreme. Founded in 1976, Heritage now handles over $1 billion in collectibles annually, and has sold 7 of the 10 most valuable coins in history.
Consigning your coins to Heritage makes sense if:
- You have PCGS, NGC or CAC graded coins valued over $1,000 each
- You‘re willing to wait 1-3 months for Heritage‘s auction cycle
- You‘re comfortable with the prestige (and pressure) of selling alongside the most elite numismatic rarities
Expect to pay a seller‘s commission of 10-20% of the hammer price, plus an up-front lotting fee for moderately valued coins. In exchange, Heritage will professionally catalog, photograph and market your coins to their vetted mailing list of proven high-end buyers.
In 2021, Heritage sold $191 million worth of rare U.S. coins – far exceeding any other auction house. If you have the right material, selling with Heritage can lead to truly extraordinary results.
3. Great Collections
Since its founding in 2011, Great Collections has quickly become a dominant force in online coin auctions. Their weekly Sunday sales are a must-watch event for thousands of collectors and dealers.
Selling on Great Collections is best if you have certified coins valued between $500 – $25,000. Their typical consignor pays:
- A flat $5 – $100 listing fee based on reserve price
- A 10% seller‘s fee for coins up to $1,000 (tiered down to 0% for coins over $10,000)
In return, your coins are professionally imaged and presented to a highly targeted audience of coin buyers. Great Collections‘ weekly auction format keeps consignors‘ material front and center, rather than buried among millions of listings.
Since 2011, Great Collections has sold over 1.2 million certified coins for more than $460 million. Their Buyers Trust program and vetted bidder approval process ensure a smooth selling experience.
4. APMEX
One of the nation‘s largest precious metals retailers, APMEX offers a uniquely straightforward way to sell coins online. Rather than dealing with listing, fees and fulfillment yourself, APMEX will buy your coins outright.
The process is turnkey:
- Request an offer on their website
- Ship your coins to APMEX via their prepaid, insured label
- Once verified, accept their offer and get paid within 1 business day
APMEX is best for liquidating bullion-related coins and well-known rarities in the $500 – $10,000 range. As a high-volume reseller, APMEX‘s buy price will naturally be below retail. But their transparent, hassle-free model and ironclad reputation make them a compelling option, especially if you value speed and simplicity.
5. PCGS Collectors Corner
Operated by the industry-leading Professional Coin Grading Service, Collectors Corner enables you to sell authenticated and graded PCGS coins directly to fellow members.
Compared to other platforms, Collectors Corner offers several key benefits:
- Direct access to the most serious and knowledgeable collectors of U.S. coins
- Ability to set a fixed price or entertain offers
- No listing fees – just a 10% final value fee
The catch? Your coins must already be PCGS graded, and the audience size is far smaller than eBay. But what Collectors Corner lacks in traffic, it makes up for in buyer quality. You can feel confident your coins are being showcased to educated collectors who understand their value.
Keys to Maximizing Your Online Coin Sales
Now that you‘re acquainted with the top online coin marketplaces, let‘s discuss some proven tactics to supercharge your sales.
1. Certification is King
In 2022, over 5 million U.S. coins were professionally authenticated and graded by PCGS and NGC, the leading third-party certification services. Why is this important?
In a word, trust. The explosion of counterfeits from China coupled with natural fears of buying sight-unseen have made "slabbed" coins vastly preferred in the online marketplace. Certified coins routinely sell for multiples more than raw, uncertified examples.
Unless you‘re selling bullion or low value material, I strongly recommend having your coins certified by PCGS, NGC or ANACS before selling online. While there‘s an up-front investment ($30 – $300+ per coin), authentication and grading typically leads to much stronger results, and exponentially increases your pool of potential buyers.
2. Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words
Serious coin buyers are an exacting bunch. They want to see crisp, clear, high-resolution images that capture every nuance of a coin‘s surfaces, color and eye appeal before clicking "Buy Now."
For selling raw coins, I recommend investing in a quality digital camera or smartphone with macro capability. Shoot both sides of your coin against a clean white or black background, and include a common object (like a penny) for scale. Make sure your photos are well-lit and properly exposed.
If you‘re selling certified coins, always include an image of the grading label, which includes a unique barcode and serial number that savvy buyers will verify.
3. Do Your Homework on Value
To avoid leaving money on the table, it‘s critical to understand the fair retail value of your coins before selling online. But in a highly stratified marketplace, how can you determine a reasonable price?
Start by examining "comps" or comparable sales results. Heritage Auctions, Legend Rare Coin Auctions, eBay, and PCGS CoinFacts all maintain extensive archives of past sales data sortable by date, grade, and price realized. Find coins as similar to yours as possible, and study the hammer prices.
Keep a few things in mind when evaluating comps:
- Transaction dates. The rare coin market can move quickly, so sales within the last 90 days are most relevant.
- Certification. A coin graded by PCGS or NGC will generally command a higher premium than a "details" coin or one in an off-brand holder.
- Eye appeal. Not all coins are created equal, even within the same grade. Pieces with spectacular luster, toning or strike can bring multiples more than average examples.
While nothing beats years of market experience, even novice sellers can arrive at solid pricing by studying the data. The more you immerse yourself in comparable sales, the better you‘ll be able to interpret the nuances.
4. Craft Compelling Descriptions
When selling online, your coin description must serve as your virtual sales pitch. Beyond the basics like date, mintmark, denomination and condition, weave in interesting facts and historical context that brings your coin to life.
Is it tied to a fascinating period in American history? Does it have an interesting backstory of discovery? What makes it rare or desirable compared to other coins of this type? Effective copy can be the difference between a coin that sells and one that languishes.
That said, avoid embellishment or unsupported claims. Collectors can sniff out hyperbole a mile away. Stick to the facts, but don‘t be afraid to tell a compelling story.
5. Timing is Everything
While the coin market is less cyclical than it used to be, savvy sellers still pay attention to the calendar. A few timely considerations:
- January is traditionally the strongest month for rare coin sales, as collectors look to bolster their holdings after tax season.
- Major coin shows like FUN, Long Beach and the ANA World‘s Fair of Money bring a burst of trading activity and eyeballs to portals like eBay and Great Collections.
- For coins with precious metal content, consider selling during periods of peak gold and silver prices.
By timing your sales to coincide with numismatic and seasonal peaks, you can maximize your coins‘ exposure and prices realized.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Coins Online
Over my decades in the rare coin industry, I‘ve fielded countless questions from collectors looking to sell online. Here are the 7 most common, along with my advice:
Q: What types of coins sell best online?
The most liquid areas of the market tend to be:
- U.S. gold coins, particularly Liberty and St. Gaudens $20 double eagles
- Popular 19th century series like Morgan and Peace silver dollars
- Superb gem examples of modern U.S. coins
- Universally admired world rarities like British sovereigns and Mexican 50 pesos
Q: What‘s the safest way to ship coins?
I‘ve found the U.S. Postal Service to be the most reliable option. Make sure to:
- Invest in quality, protective packaging to avoid damage in transit
- Always use registered mail with adequate insurance
- Require a signature upon delivery for high-value shipments
Q: Is it possible to get scammed selling coins online?
While outright fraud is rare, it does happen. Red flags include:
- Buyers who insist on paying by check or money order
- Requests to ship to an address other than what‘s on file with eBay or PayPal
- Any offer that seems too good to be true
Stick with trusted marketplaces, vet potential buyers carefully, and always listen to your instincts.
**Q: Should I have my coins cleaned before selling them?
In a word, no! Cleaning a coin improperly can actually reduce its value. Resist the urge to polish or shine your coins. Let their natural patina and originality speak for itself.
**Q: How can I tell if my coins are valuable?
The value of a coin depends on four primary factors:
- Rarity. How many examples are known?
- Condition. Is it worn, uncirculated, or pristine?
- Demand. How many collectors are actively pursuing this type of coin?
- Precious metal content. What are gold/silver prices at the moment?
The best way to gauge your coin‘s worth is to have it evaluated by a trusted dealer or third-party authentication service.
Q: What if my coins don‘t sell right away?
Don‘t panic. Even superb coins can take time to find the right buyer. If your coin isn‘t getting traction, consider:
- Adjusting the price to be more in line with comps
- Revising your title, description and images to be more compelling
- Listing in a different category or marketplace
- Offering free or reduced shipping
- Breaking out the coin into its own auction or fixed price listing
Patience and persistence are key. Trust that your coins will eventually find their rightful place in a collection.
Q: How much does it cost to get my coin professionally graded?
Authentication and grading fees vary based on the declared value of your coin, the grading service you select, and your desired turnaround time. A few examples of current PCGS pricing:
- Economy ($30) – Coins valued up to $300. 15-17 business day estimated turnaround.
- Modern ($22) – Coins dated 1965 to present, valued up to $2,000. 9-10 business day estimated turnaround.
- Walkthrough ($600) – Coins valued up to $250,000. 1-2 business day estimated turnaround.
- Reholder ($10) – Re-encapsulation of a PCGS graded coin valued up to $10,000.
I generally recommend going with the highest service level (fastest turnaround time) you can afford, as it ensures your coins are handled and evaluated by the most experienced graders.
Go Forth and Sell!
In numismatics, there‘s an old saying: "Buy the book before you buy the coin." In other words, knowledge is power when it comes to collecting. The same principle applies to selling coins online. The more you understand about:
- The key characteristics of your coins
- The venues and processes for selling them
- Demand, pricing and liquidity in the marketplace
- Best practices for listing and fulfillment
…the better your results will be. I truly believe there‘s never been a more exciting time to be a coin collector. Whether you‘re a seasoned numismatist or an accidental accumulator, I hope this guide has equipped you with the tools and tactics to get top dollar for your coins online. Here‘s to your selling success!
