Helping a lady sell her husbands things

I have been asked to assist a Lady sell some of her husbands things. He is in his final days of assisted living and can't help her will the valuation or selling any of it. There are several handguns and a coin collection in particular. I realize that condition is everything with both and I would like to help make sure she doesn't get taken to the cleaners. I am to meet with her late next week to inspect these items. I know/am friends with a reputable FFL, but not knowledgeable about the coins. Feedback and suggestions about both are welcomed. Thank you all in advance.

Don't have any way of giving you any advice or feedback when the description of what you have to sell is so vague. The only way to find out the value of a coin collection is to go to reputable coin dealer that will charge you for an estimate of their value. And may make you an offer. Then you have to determine if it is reasonable. Coin collections value very widely based on the condition of the coin and rarity. Good luck I hope you can help your friend and feel you have done him justice.

silver coins sell easily for 18x face value usually more

Unless you put them in auction mode, I would be prepared to expect to sell items at about 50-60% of what you think they are worth....

IMHO,
J.

Johnnu2 said:

Unless you put them in auction mode, I would be prepared to expect to sell items at about 50-60% of what you think they are worth....

IMHO,
J.

Click to expand...

Are they US coins,or foreign coins,or both.

For some" not rare " coins,all the value is in the metal.."collectible " coins are have numismatic value ,sometimes exceeding bullion value by a LOT, based on rarity and condition.

They make a few books on coins. The "Blue Book of coins" and the "Red Book of Coins." The Red book is mostly retail values. The Blue book is closer to collectable values.
But the BEST thing in the books are HOW to grade a coin. Each coin type is broken down into grades, and a description of the grades. It can easily help getting a good idea of collectable values. BUT,, if any are silver or gold,, then also study the current spot prices of each. That can help determine which is higher.

On guns,, the Blue Book of Gun values also has a general grading guide known as "NRA Grading." It too can help a bit on collectable firearms. Values of guns are all over the place. A good place to get an idea of current market prices is to get on GunBroker, do an advanced search,, for COMPLETED auctions for the same models. That can give a fairly good idea of current values.

Take the coins to several dealers
That way you have an idea of their worth.

I really don't have anything worth value to suggest, but felt compelled to reply as it it home. My Father passed last year and my 91yo Mother is trying to clear out the house so she can put it on the market. So many things she is trying to get rid of. She is in KY and I'm in PA, my Brother and Sister in MD. Myself and my siblings, even my Daughter form TN have each taken a truck load of what we wanted, even if it was just sentimental value. There were many collectibles of various types she can't even give away. The ones of "family value" have been secured to be passed down. But she is struggling to find ways to clean out the house of things....Goodwill and Salvation Army came and picked through but there is so much left.

I feel for this Woman you are helping and pray she gets what s deserved. This is no meager responsibility you have been trusted with. My best to you in this assignment.

Don't know much about coins....guns as others stated there are books to estimate value. Try those first, even if you can't find them in a library and have to research online. There are also many search engines to find information online. You should be able to get a fairly decent estimate on your own depending on what they are....avoid taking them straight to a FFL or Pawn. They are skilled in knowing how to manipulate margin and make a profit at sellers expense.

This question came up a few days ago on another forum I look at. Will post up three different sites to look at MAINLY related to judging silver coin melt (for selling) value, then one completed ebay auction search tip for specific coins.

To assess melt value:




Ebay search tip:

On eBay- To the right of the Search Bar / Click Advanced / Just below the Blue Search Button Check "Sold Items". Then search= It'll show you the Sold Items. It can be Sorted High to Low, Recent etc.

I'll add this abut coins, if U.S., The coin books mentioned are a big help, but generally all you need to look for a what is called "key dates." And to be honest any fairly recent coin book will tell you that. Book values are all over the map because the metal content prices are ever changing.

To find the key dates all you have to do is look a the coin type. You'll see the price column and say it runs $5 for 90% of the dates and mint marks but that ONE or TWO jump to $20 or $25. Those are the rare ones that have collector value over the melt price. Of course really clean of the non keys will have more value but will take some work to get the value out of them. I'll get a pic to show you what I mean

This particular page is Washington quarters. Sorry, I didn't notice that some were errors coins, but you'll get the idea. Notice most are in the 3-$5 range but some jump up. Those that jump up are the key dates. That is usually based on mintage. Lower mintage rarer coins. Higher mintage melt value unless a really clean grade.

Look at the difference between a 1939 P or D versus the S mint mark. Then it flips for 1940 The D is the rarer version. That would make the 39S and 40D keys dates for collectors.

I have done this for 3 widows my only advice is to do it for free, this will stop any rumors of cheating or trying to get a good deal from the unsuspecting widow.

To get best prices for coins may take some research, coin dealers are a good start. They pay maybe 70% or better of relative value of a coin.
The Coin Dealer Newsletter, known as the "greysheet," published monthly provides a wholesale value of coins.
Value will vary with rarity and condition, fine, xf, Au(almost uncirculated),MS(mint state).
PCGS and NGC are two grading services, who seal and encase a coin with stated value, widely accepted. PCGS apparantly has a free coin facts mobile app.
Bottom line is what someone is actually willing to pay for a particular coin.
Hope this helps, best of luck!

Correction to my last post.
PCGS and NGC grade a coin for condition of coin. They give a certified grade to the coin, not the value, which fluctuates.

No help to the OP but a note on my personal struggle. Bet a few of you have the same issue.
Nope, no looming medical condition,,,, no specter on the horizon other than advancing years.
My issue is I struggle with the downsizing that I have attempted for a few years.
Without getting into specific items or collections (Knives & guns are assumed) these sad tales reinforce me and remind me to keep trying to get it done .
Why wait till on a death bed to disperse when you can have some joy seeing it in the hands of a happy new recipient.
So save the survivors the guilt and heartache,,,,,,,,, Your stuff is often less of a milestone than a millstone to others!
CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.

Many thanks for the replies and good advise/suggestions. I don't plan on making anything out of trying to help the Lady other than the satisfaction of doing a "good turn".

If you take the coins to a dealer for appraisal, sit at the same desk as the appraiser.
The coin dealers that I have felt with seems to be honest, Howe I have heard stories about less than honorable persons switching coins.

Don't let the coins out of your sight.