Need some help from DU.

[Samrob]

Is there a market for old coins?

My 98-year old aunt passed. She had two children and one grand child...all preceded her in death. I am her sole heir. It appears that her late husband had left her with a stash of old coins...around 300. I haven't had a chance to go through all of them. Some date back to early 1700.

I am so afraid of being swindled but I still want to sell them for as much as I can get to help some family members who have been really struggling through the pandemic. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[TigressDem]

1. Pawn Stars? or Antique Road Show? Since they are televised...

It seems they would be disinclined to swindle someone. If they did, you would have proof for prosecution.


But seriously, they have experts.

[PdamnedQ]

2. When my father-in-law died his attorney used this group to find a qualified expert.

The American Numismatic Association

https://www.money.org/tools

Maybe this can help?

[Samrob]

8. Thanks!

[LakeArenal]

3. If you have a jeweler they could advise you.

Yes there is a market for them. If it’s a big collection like my dad’s, arrange to show an appraiser in a conference room at your bank or lawyer. You don’t want to be toting $10,000 of coins in your car.

[blm]

4. Baltimore has a numismatic expo in a couple months

https://expo.whitman.com/baltimore-summer-expo/

You just missed the spring expo.

[Sneederbunk]

5. Get two appraisals.

[Blues Heron]

6. have you looked any of them up online?

Any gold ones? Condition? What type of coins are we talking about here?

[Samrob]

7. Not yet.

[dameatball]

9. All the posts above are good advice. But if you want to start slowly and perhaps gain some

confidence, there are a number of coin price guides available, online and in print. This may help you categorize and sort things out. Plopping 300 coins on a table and asking someone to give you a price isn't real feasible, imo. You may find that you enjoy the process of learning and appreciating each piece. I messed around with (mostly) bullion for a while and every time I got a new piece it was fun. Rare coins would be more interesting I'm sure. It sounds like you have a fascinating, if perhaps unexpected, new hobby.
If you want to sell in a hurry the advice of others above is sound certainly.

[multigraincracker]

10. Here is what I know, for what it's worth.

How rare and condition. Coin books will tell you the number minted, so that is easy.
Next is condition, not so easy. I use to say, when I had an antique store was I only buy junk and only sell rare fine antiques. I got that from a coin dealer.
Each year and type of coin may have its own rules for condition. Like Standing Liberty Quarters are can have a weaker stamp and more wear because of it's difficulty in minting. Same with Buffalo Nickels.

IF I had a few nice ones, I might try a few at a well advertised and recommended auction house. They may take from 35% to less than 10% depending on the sale price. The more it sells for the less they will take. I would do that with the most valuable ones.
The others, find a few yearly or bi-yearly, large city coin shows as near as possible. Take a few and shop them around getting bids from different dealers and you can get the best wholesale price that way. Most dealers will have a special interest in different types of coins. I'd be careful about selling the whole lot to any one person.
The ANA American Numismatic Association grades are the best and most accepted in the business. The do charge, but with that grade you are assured of getting the best price. Check them out on the web.
Best of luck and be careful. If you are in no hurry, you'll do fine.

[Samrob]

11. Thank you.

[Emile]

12. DO NOT TAKE THEM to a Pawn Shop! Take them to a respectable coin collector

who has a license and grade them! I respect and trust this dealer! https://www.smithscoins.com/