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Use eBay for Your Coin Research
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September 2003 |
Know your market better -- leverage eBay's "completed items" search to research market trends everyday. The more current your pricing, the more successful your sales.
eBay's completed items search, available in Advanced Search, enables you to get a better sense of what similar items are going for.
It's simple -- just follow these steps.
- Select Advanced Search from the main Search menu.
- Enter your search terms, such as 1895-O Morgan Dollar.
- Select "Search title and description" and "All of these words."
- Under Refine Your Search, select "Coins" (category) and "Completed items only."
- Under Display Format, select "Highest prices first" (Sort) and "100" (items per page).
- Perform your search; click "Save this search" at the top of the search page.
- Save up to 15 Searches to the Favorites tab on your "my eBay" page.
- Receive email alerts when new listings match your saved searches.
Refer to your Favorites tab daily. Discover the most current prices for the coins you sell in varying conditions. Identify market opportunities and get the best prices for your property.
Another way to research rare coins and their provenance: the American Numismatics Association. To review the benefits of membership, click here.
Stay on top of your market-leverage eBay's completed item search.
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| Working for You-The American Numismatic Association |
August 2003 |
The American Numismatic Association is your partner and advocate. Join today and give your business an edge.
From exciting educational opportunities to effective dealer services, this 30,000-member organization provides coin professionals the support they need to thrive in today's marketplace.
The ANA provides these compelling services:
- Mediation: Successfully resolve disputes arising from unsatisfactory coin transactions. ANA's Code of Ethics clarifies your rights and responsibilities.
- Collection Insurance: Insure your entire collection at low group rates. Also, access health and life insurance plans at competitive prices.
- Product Discounts: Purchase heavily discounted books and hobby supplies from the ANA's own MoneyMarket catalog.
- Faster Grading: Make direct submissions to the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, the official grading service of the ANA.
- Easier Conservation: Take the hassle out of conservation. Submit coins directly to the Numismatic Conservation Services, ANA's conservation partner.
- Reward Program: Collect up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing crimes against ANA members.
More benefits of ANA membership:
- News & Views: Receive the hobby's premier journal, Numismatist.
- Member Library: Research before you buy. Borrow from ANA's collection of 40,000 books, auction catalogs, videos, and slide sets.
- Continuing Education: Attend year-round educational events, from ANA's popular Summer Seminar to traveling grading tutorials.
- Clubs Directory: Locate ANA clubs in your area, providing personal support and camaraderie.
Don't delay-let the ANA get behind your coin business!
Have a suggestion for a future Coins article -- let us know!
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| Proof & Mint Sets Overview |
July 2003 |
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Proof and Mint sets are as popular as ever. Review these two types of coin sets to determine if they are right for your business.
Basics:
Modern Proof Sets were first produced by the US Mint in 1936.
U.S. Mint Sets were first produced in 1950.
Special Considerations:
U.S. Mint Set coins are "business strike" examples of coinage for a particular year. It is virtually impossible to verify if coins outside officially packaged mint sets came from an original set. Therefore, U.S. Mint Sets must have original packaging to be offered as genuine.
Proof coins, on the other hand, are easily identified outside original packaging and are therefore widely accepted in certified or custom holders. Proof coins are made with special polished dies to create the best possible example.
Buying Tips:
Pay close attention to proof sets produced through 1972. Look for full Cameo examples, as these are not common compared to recently produced sets.
A nice proof Cameo will have a full-frosted look on both the reverse and obverse in contrast to the mirror fields of the coin.
A Guide Book of United States Coins, or what is commonly referred to as the "Redbook," is an excellent guide for all U.S. Coins, including Proof and Mint Sets.
Resale Strategies:
Research completed listings for recent prices realized.
Compare these prices with those listed in the "Redbook" when selling proof sets by auction. Auction with Buy It Now, fixed price, or within your eBay store.
A few sets have dramatically increased in value over the past year; therefore, researching before selling is strongly recommended, especially on early and recent modern sets.
Good photos are a must!
Have a suggestion for a future Coins article -- let us know!
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| Listing Tool Comparison for Coins Sellers |
May 2003 |
eBay wants your Coins business to thrive. That's why it has developed a cutting-edge
suite of sales management tools to increase your efficiency and profitability.
It may be time to revisit how you currently list and manage your sales on eBay to make sure you are getting the most from your selling tool. For example, if you are currently using eBay's Sell Your Item form to list tens of items a day, you may be ready to upgrade to one of eBay's advanced selling platforms.
Big or small, eBay has the right solution for your seller profile! Review our listing tool overview below to determine which one is best for you.
| 1. | Turbo Lister | | FREE |
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Overview: Free downloadable bulk-listing application for Windows
Top Features:
Bulk upload hundreds of items instantly. Schedule listings in advance.
Design and save branded listing templates with the easy-to-use editor.
Create multiple user profiles and preferences. Save items in organized folders.
Best For: Sellers who list more than 10 items per month and already have a basic understanding of eBay.
TIP: Pair Turbo Lister with Selling Manager, eBay's post-sale tool, to efficiently manage the listing process from start to finish!
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| 2. |
Selling Manager |
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$4.99/month |
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Overview: Online post-sale management application integrated into my eBay.
Try it free for 30 days!
Top Features:
Use buyer email templates for increased post-sale efficiency.
Track payment and shipment effortlessly. Print shipping labels and invoices instantly.
Relist additional units or unsold items in bulk.
Best For: Sellers who list more than 10 items per month and who want an easy and affordable way to track the status of your sales online.
TIP: Use Selling Manager with your favorite listing tool, including the Sell Your Item form and Turbo Lister, to increase listing volume and sell more–faster.
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| 3. |
Seller's Assistant Pro |
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$15.99/month |
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Overview: Complete, professional-grade listing and sales management application for Windows desktops.
Try it free for 30 days!
Top Features:
Create and upload professional listings in bulk. Schedule listings in advance. Bulk relist.
Bulk process buyer email, payments, shipments, and feedback.
Sort and filter critical sales data. Create, print, and export sales reports. Manage inventory.
Best For: Higher volume sellers and small businesses that want an automated process throughout the sales cycle - from bulk listing through completing the transaction
TIP: With Seller's Assistant Pro, you can view and print Profit and Loss as well as Tax Collected reports – key to understanding your business!
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Manage your time and business more efficiently with eBay's family of sales management tools!
Have a suggestion for a future Coins article -- let us know!
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| Gold Prices and eBay Coin Sales |
April 2003 |
The popularity of coin collecting has increased, and gold coins are some of the most sought after. With many stocks and other investments under performing since the late 1990's, some people are starting to invest in gold and other precious metals to diversify their portfolios. Also, with recent world events creating uncertainties for the future, many around the world have turned to gold as an investment hedge.
This increased popularity of collecting gold can be seen on eBay as annual Gross Merchandise Sales (GMS) across various gold categories has increased:
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Category
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Increase in GMS
(Q4 01 vs. Q4 02)
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U.S. Coins > Bullion: Gold
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85%
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U.S. Coins > Gold
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40%
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World Coins > Gold
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32%
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An interesting trend worth noting is how the New York Spot Price for gold influences eBay's gold sales. For example, when the spot price for gold spiked between December 2002 and February 2003, eBay's gold coin sales followed a similar trend.
So if you sell in any gold-related Coins categories, be sure to incorporate projections on the price of gold into your selling strategy.
Some useful sites for tracking the price of gold:
Have a suggestion for a future Coins article -- let us know!
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| Select the Right Coins Category |
March 2003 |
Serious collectors are particular. They expect property to be catalogued correctly. Don't jeopardize your success by carelessly categorizing your items.
Take note of these important category-selection tips:
- Use "Other" Coins categories sparingly. eBay research indicates that items listed in "Other" Coins categories obtain lower conversion rates than in targeted Coins categories.
- Leverage eBay's "List in 2 Categories" feature to simplify category selection. eBay research indicates that it can increase bidding and price by 15% and 18%*, respectively. Learn more.
Consider the drawbacks of improperly selecting your coin categories. Miscataloging...
- Diminishes credibility with serious collectors.
- Limits your items' qualified audience.
- Encourages unsatisfactory transactions and poor feedback.
Reach the right collectors the first time. Be precise with your category selection and realize results.
* This represents an average based on data from February 2002 transactions. No representation is made that a seller's final price or conversion rate of a specific item will increase by the average percentages noted above.
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| Coin Listing Tips for 2003 |
Feb. 2003 |
Hit the ground running this year. Review our quick guide to essential coin listing strategies.
| #1
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Grade Accurately! Learn to grade through the American Numismatic Association or have your coins certified by a reputable grading company, such as NGC or PCGS.
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| #2
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Clearly describe defects and/or damage. Also, note if the coin is dark or toned.
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| #3.
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Provide clear obverse and reverse photos of the actual item for sale.
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| #4
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If possible, give an exact shipping cost, especially if the item is heavy.
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| #5
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If offering multiples of the same coin in one auction lot, specify if that lot consists of one coin or multiples of the same coin.
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| #6
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Do your research. Use your "my eBay" search tools to obtain current market pricing on your items and reference books for more detailed information. Consider working with an eBay Trading Assistant. These specialists can help you expand your market and business.
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| #7
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Do not end your listings in the early morning hours. Schedule them so that they close during work or evening in all time zones. Not many collectors are biding at 4 a.m.!
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| #8
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If launching coin listings on Wednesday or Thursday, consider listing them as 10-day auctions. This will give listed lots exposure over two weekends.
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| #9
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When listing items in Exonumia, consider alternative categories under Collectibles, such as Historical Memorabilia and Militaria.
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| #10
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When possible, start coins at "$1 no reserve" or "$9.99 no reserve" to help build price momentum.
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These are just a few tips to use when listing coins. Be sure to trade tips and ideas with other eBayers! Email us your favorite listing tips!
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| Good Coin & Stamp Pictures Get Results! |
Jan. 2003 |
Whether you're selling coins, paper money, or stamps, quality photos are a must. Crisp obverse and reverse auction photos increase the comfort level of your buyers and reduce customer misunderstandings.
For fast, quality photos every time, invest in a flatbed scanner. There's no more effective and efficient way to image flat objects, such as coins, stamps, or currency. Quality manufacturers include ADF, MicorTek, and UMAX.
Use these tips for high-quality coin scans:
 | Do not scan raw coins loose.
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| Scan each coin in a clear flip to prevent scratching of the scanner bed and/or coin. (Flips will not reduce the scan's clarity or sharpness.)
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| For dark items, use a black back cover (not white) to create contrast.
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| Affix an adhesive label to each flip. Write the coin's stock number on the label. We recommend Avery label #18167.
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| Use the inventory number for the scan file name.
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| For certified coins, use the last four digits of the certification number as the file name. |
Beware: scans aren't appropriate for every item. For larger, heavy pieces, use a quality digital camera and shoot it against a lit background. (The PowerShot line from Canon is excellent.)
Additionally, digital cameras are often more effective than scanners for imaging dark-colored Large Cents.
If you are considering a purchase of new equipment, make sure your computer is compatible, expect some learning curve, and weigh the saving of time verses cost. Also, don't forget to get recommendations from your friends.
If you have ideas for future Coin or Stamp tips, let us know!
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| Original Toned Coins Sell |
Dec. 2002 |
The color of a coin can mean extra green in your pocket. Original toned coins that exhibit exceptional toning can command high prices. Auction results are never guaranteed, but a seller should never underestimate the sales potential of a naturally toned coin.
Here are some toned coin tips:
 | Green Means Go: The toned color green is normally the signature of an original-toned coin.
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| Consult Before Cleaning: Consult an experienced Numismatist before attempting to clean your toned coin, even if you feel it's too dark or not an attractive color. Improper or excessive cleaning can diminish a potentially valuable coin's tone and value.
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| Get it Graded: Even seasoned Numismatics miss the signs of an artificially toned coin. If uncertain about the originality of a toned
coin, have a third-party grading firm certify it.
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| Group U.S. and World Small Coin Lots |
Nov. 2002 |
Ever wonder what to do with a low value group of coins? Whether buying collections, dealer lots, or cleaning the office, many coin dealers and enthusiasts are left with low value accumulations of U.S. and World coins, medals, and tokens. Instead of second-guessing the potential of these items, try grouping them into lots!
Follow these easy steps:
| Place coins, paper money, medals, or tokens in Mylar plastic holders |
| Label each lot with a reference number |
| Scan or take photos of each lot grouping |
| List them as a lot on eBay |
For those dealers who have accumulated boxes of "stuff" for decades, eBay's Trading Assistant program is an excellent way for you to turn those boxes into cash. Trading Assistants are eBay users who have expressed interest in selling others' items for a fee. To find a wide range of specialty Trading Assistants in your local areas, click here.
If you are interested in a list of Trading Assistants who specialize in various Numismatics or Exonumia areas, email Troy Thoreson at troy@auctionblueprint.com.
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| What's Hot in State Quarters |
Oct. 2002 |
Business strike mintage figures for the State Quarters number in the hundreds of millions, but knowing the numbers isn't what's most important -- you must also know which State Quarters are truly valuable to collectors.
The State Quarter program has been very popular and can be credited with attracting many new collectors. This demand has helped many eBay users successfully sell raw and certified mint state examples at an impressive premium. In fact, there are many recent listings of high-end certified mint State Quarters that have sold for over $300 on eBay, but on the flip side, there are also some that have sold for under $5. The truth of the matter is that only a select number of State Quarters realize top prices.
For sellers looking to expand their State Quarter offerings, the US Mint produces many State Quarter products including: Bags, First Day Covers, Die Sets, Jewelry, Proof Sets, and US Mint Rolls. What's particularly impressive about these items is that their production and/or mintages are a fraction of the total number of state quarters produced.
The following State Quarter products currently command strong prices on eBay:
| Early 1999 Quarter Bags & Tennessee Quarter Bags
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| Selected US MINT ROLL SETS
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| Selected First Day Covers
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| 1999 Silver Proof Sets (which include state quarters)
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Remember -- it's important to do your own research before listing an item for sale. eBay's Completed Items search can help you determine if or how the prices of State Quarters or products fluctuate.
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| How Mint Marks Affect a Coin's Value |
Sept. 2002 |
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Normally, the popularity and mintage of a coin are the main factors in determining a coin's value. Coins minted in the 1800's from branch mints at Carson City (CC), Dahlonega, GA (D), and Charlotte, NC (C) are examples of coins highly sought after by collectors. The mint mark associated with these issues signify instant value.
In recent years, the West Point (W) Mint has started producing Gold, Silver and Commemorative coins for the US Mint. The popularity and value of (W) mint marked coins is expected to grow, especially with the minting of these recent coins:
| 1996 W Roosevelt Dime: Included in that year's Uncirculated Mint Set. Coin has a total mintage of approximately 1.5 million coins. It's average selling price on eBay is around $20.
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| 1997 W Jackie Robinson Uncirculated Gold Commemorative: Has a total mintage of just over 5,000 coins, which is the lowest of any modern coin, and it regularly sells on eBay for 2 to 3 times more than its original issue price. |
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| 1995 W Proof Silver Eagle: One recently sold for $2,575 on eBay. This coin has a total mintage of 30,125 coins. |
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| 2000 Uncirculated Silver Eagle (related West Point issue): Part of The United States Millennium Coinage and Currency Set, which is limited to 75,000 sets. This coin is surrounded by controversy because it does not have a mint mark, but the back of the packaging states that the coin was minted at West Point. The Numismatic community has not officially adopted this coin as a West Point product, but ICG, a third-party grading service, does certify the coin with a (W) to signify the West Point Mint mark. |
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To search for these coins on eBay, click the links below:
1996 W Roosevelt Dime
1997 W Jackie Robinson
1995 W Proof Silver Eagle
2000 Uncirculated Silver Eagle
If you have a feature story idea for an upcoming Coins newsletter, let us know!
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