Sell Rare Coins and Medals with Sotheby's

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is coin collecting so popular?

  Coins and medals reflect the artistic, economic and political history of the world. For example, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned America’s greatest sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, to redesign some of the nation’s coins; Brutus struck a coin to “celebrate” his murder of Julius Caesar; and the infamous 1933 double eagle, sold at Sotheby’s in 2002 for a world record $7,590,020, embodied the depths of the depression, criminal intrigue and the end of gold coins as part of the American monetary system. Join the excitement by buying coins and selling coins with Sotheby’s.
• Which kinds of coins should I collect?

  United States coins and medals are among the most actively collected. Collectors can focus on a single denomination such as the popular Morgan silver dollars, made between 1878 and 1921. Or one can collect examples of various designs or a particular metal or year. If you wish to collect medals, Indian Peace medals provide a glimpse into the interaction of two disparate cultures.
• How are rare coins graded?

  How well a coin has survived the ravages of time can affect its aesthetic properties and also play an integral role in establishing its value. For many years, grading relied on self-explanatory terms such as “poor” condition and “brilliant uncirculated” condition. Definitions such as these are still used in ancient coin appraisal and most foreign coin appraisal. However, within recent decades, US coins have been graded on a scale of 1-70. Numbers 60 and above represent Mint State coins, while anything MS 65 or above is considered to be of “gem” quality.
• Are uncirculated coins always worth more than circulated coins?

  It depends. Generally speaking, the quality of preservation is particularly important with United States coins. For example, a heavily worn Morgan silver dollar made in San Francisco in 1884 can be had for under $50. But the same example, offered in the recent Ralph Stone Collection, was in virtually perfect condition (MS 67). Estimated to bring $300,000-500,000, it realized $735,000 at Sotheby’s in New York.
• How do I find a reputable rare coin dealer?

  As with all collecting areas, it is best to do research to find reputable dealers and auction houses and also read a book or two on the subject. The internet offers many open-access price data-bases and informational sites. Using these resources will enhance the collecting experience and make you a more knowledgeable and savvy collector. Sotheby’s coin and medal specialists offer years of experience and abide by impeccable business standards. Request a complimentary, no-obligation coin appraisal or estimate.