A Collector’s Guide to Selling Rare Coins in 2024

The first step in selling rare coins is to determine if your coin is rare or not. Once you determine the rarity of your coin, the next step is determining the value of your coin and finding a buyer that will offer you the best price. 

Having a rare coin can mean you have a collectible coin worth money. To know if a coin you own is rare, reach out to us at Coinfully for a coin appraisal with an expert  to determine the rarity and value of your coin.

What Makes a Coin Rare?

Date, mintage, mint location, errors, historical significance, and condition all contribute to the rarity of a coin..

The date a coin was minted, how many coins were minted, where a coin was minted, or if they were minted with any errors can add to a coin’s rarity. The historical significance of the minting of a coin will also add to rarity.

The biggest contributing factor to a coin’s rarity is the condition. With circulated coins, it is hard to find them with little or no wear, so the better the condition of a coin, the rarer it may be.

While all of these characteristics independently contribute to  how much a coin is worth, the rarest of coins possess a combination of attributes like a desirable mintage, historical significance, and pristine condition.  

One thing to remember when determining if your coins are rare is that just because a coin is old does not mean it is worth more than a newer coin.

What is the Rarest Coin Ever?

The rarest coinever, and also the most valuable coin ever, is the 1933 Double Eagle.

In total, there were 445,500 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles minted in 1933. All were ordered to be melted down, but thirteen remain. 

The reason this coin is so rare and expensive is because there is only one available for private ownership. It last sold for $18.9 million in 2021. The other ones are owned by the U.S. Government.

How to Keep The Value in Your Rare Coins

If you do not plan on selling your coins right away, the best way to keep the value in your rare coins is by having them graded.

If you are worried about your rare coins being damaged or worn and losing value as a result, having them graded by a professional will keep their value from the time of grading. Places like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association) can grade all types of coins to ensure  they keep their worth.

Where Can I Sell Rare Coins?

There are several options when selling your rare coin collections:

• Coin Stores
• Online Coin Shops
• Coin Collectors Online
• Local Coin Dealers
• Online Auction
• Auction Houses

If you are wondering where you can sell rare coins near you, check out your local numismatic community or go online. Whether you opt for  selling your coins online or in person is entirely up to your preference.

Where Is The Best Place To Sell Rare Coins?

The best place to sell rare coins is wherever you receive the best price. To find the best price for your coins,  get an appraisal from several buyers, shops, and dealers to weigh your options.

What to Avoid When Selling Rare Coins Online  

When you have rare coins, avoid taking them to any place that only sees your coins as precious metals. With gold and silver coins, you will have to worry about buyers offering you money for their metal value. This might seem like a lot of money (especially with gold coins), but it will be significantly less than the money you can get from your coins’ rarity.

To preserve the integrity of your coins and receive a fair price for their numismatic value, avoid these types of websites or dealers at all costs. 

To make sure you are getting the best price for your gold and silver coins, get a zero-pressure appraisal from Coinfully.

How To Make Sure You Are Getting The Best Price When Selling Your Rare Coins

The only way to make sure you are getting the best price when selling your coins (rare or otherwise) is with a coin appraisal.

There are many places you can go to to get your rare coins appraised. The first thing you need to decide is if you want your coins appraised online or in person. The cost of any coin appraisals depends on where you get your coins appraised.

For in-person appraisals, find a reputable coin store or dealer near you. Some coin shops can have a certified coin expert who could appraise your rare coins. After you find the right shop, you will have to take your rare coins there, potentially leave them there, and take them home afterward.

If you decide on an online appraisal for your rare coins, all you will have to do is create an inventory listing of your coins, along with a few pictures, and send them in. You will receive an appraisal of your coins shortly after they are received, all from the comfort of your home.

If you are having trouble deciding between in-person and online appraisals, at Coinfully we offer an at-home appraisal with experts and  online appraisals. For an at-home appraisal, an expert will come to you and tell you what your rare coins are worth. At-home appraisals with Coinfully, along with their online coin appraisals, are 100% free and zero-pressure.

If you decide to sell your collection after an appraisal, Coinfully experts can write you a check or send you a check up to one business day after receiving your coins post-online appraisal.

After an appraisal, consider getting a second opinion to ensure that any price offered is the absolute best price. For a quick easy first appraisal or second opinion, reach out to an expert with Coinfully for an at-home or online coin appraisal.