I Inherited a Coin Collection. What Now?

Inherited collections are often mixtures: ordinary circulation coins, bullion, collector pieces, old holders, world coins, tokens and paperwork. The goal is not to assign a perfect price immediately. The goal is to avoid losing information or selling a valuable subgroup as anonymous bulk.

1. Secure the collection

Secure the collection should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

2. Preserve the original organization

Preserve the original organization should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

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3. Do not clean anything

Do not clean anything should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

4. Photograph containers and labels

Photograph containers and labels should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

5. Create a basic inventory

Create a basic inventory should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

6. Screen for high-priority groups

Screen for high-priority groups should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

7. Compare multiple selling paths

Compare multiple selling paths should be handled in a way that preserves evidence and keeps the family’s options open. Record what you know, identify uncertainty and avoid turning a preliminary estimate into a rushed sale decision.

Related tools

• Collection triage checklist
• Inventory builder
• Offer comparison
• Lot versus individual tool