Coin Condition
Posted in Uncategorized on 10/01/2003 12:32 pm by admin
Coin Condition
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 1948 ITALY 10 LIRE IN CHOICE UNC CONDITION A NICE SCARCE COIN LK 050  US $49.99
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 3 GREECE COINS 1978 1982 1994 XF XF VF CONDITION US $.99
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You may have bought and sold items, perhaps many items, on eBay. But have you ever sold coins? Gold coins?
Gold coins are generally among the more valuable coins for sale on eBay. The sale of such a coin should be rewarding for both buyer and seller. As the seller, you must focus on several key issues:
Pricing
Know the grade (condition) of the coin you are selling. Explain in your write-up the grading points you used to arrive at the grade you have assigned. One of the clearest reference books on this subject (for US coins) is Photograde, by James Ruddy.
Next, research its market value. One way to do this is to consult eBay listings. Be sure to use the Completed Listings checkbox to see what items have recently sold for. Another resource is the auction results for gold coins published on major coin auction company websites. Coin collector magazines and newspapers also publish lists of gold coin values.
Set your starting bid well enough below the market value of the coin to attract the attention of bidders, but high enough to avoid a bargain basement result.
Photos
A gold coin is an object of considerable visual appeal. Maximize this with decent photos. Photographing a coin is really not difficult with a digital camera. Use the Macro setting on your camera for the best close-up result. For best color and no glare skip using the flash. Position your light source (a lamp is fine) somewhat off to the side of your coin.
It goes without saying (but I will say it anyway) that the photos you submit with your listing should be of the actual coin you are selling rather than a generic photo of the type.
Description
Here is where you romance the sale! Beyond the basic information about the coin type, date, and mint mark, you should include something of the history of the coin and its type. Information about the designer, the economic and political context, and, for sea a salvage piece, circumstances of its loss and recovery.
Remember to clearly state shipping and insurance fees, your payment preferences, and return policy.
Monitoring the Auction
Once your listing is posted, stay aware of the comments of potential buyers and the status of your listing through your eBay account. Do not just post and forget. Be ready to answer any questions posed during the auction. In general, remember the advice of Benjamin Franklin to Mind Your Business.
Gold coin collecting is covered in some detail at http://www.valuable-coin-stories.com/us-gold-coin.html
About The Author:
David W. Baker has collected coins since age 11 -- so, more than half a century. Coins have been a pleasant distraction for him over the years. Though he's never been a coin dealer, he has have occasionally sold a coin or two at a nice profit, when the market was right. These experiences taught him a bit about coin value in the marketplace. But, he would be the first to say that his greatest pleasure with coins has been the hooks they have to history and other areas of learning. Dave says that he can never quite get beyond the feeling that, if any of his coins could talk, the stories would be priceless!
Dave's web site, http://www.valuable-coin-stories.com is an effort on his part to build enthusiasm for coin collecting among those who, like him, may find the exposure to these artifacts of the past a significant enjoyment in the present.