Whether you inherited them from a grandparent or stumbled upon a lucky yard sale, you might want to find out how much your coin collection is worth. A professional coin appraisal will shed light on your assets and allow you to secure an insurance policy for the most valuable coins. Once you find the right dealer to assess your collection, use this three-step guide to prepare.

3 Steps to Take Before Your Coin Appraisal

1. Single Out the Best

As you start to research the coins in your possession, single out those most likely to receive a higher appraisal. Coins with little wear and tear, no holes or bends, and a time-earned patina will be worth more. Leave pocket change out of your appraisal lot completely, and present older coins that you do not know much about separately.

2. Leave Packaged Coins in Place

If any of your coins are already packaged in rolls or hard plastic cases, do not remove them—if they have been stored like this for a while, taking the casing apart could devalue the coins. If your collection is organized in a binder with plastic pockets, you should also leave the coins as is. You can simply rearrange the pages in the binder according to the next step without touching the coins. 

3. Organize Like Coins

Sort your coins by type, creating separate groups for cents, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. If you have any commemorative, extremely rare, or gold coins, create separate groups for them. If any of the coins are loose, store them in individual plastic bags, then sort them in gallon bags according to the coin type. Then place the bags in a larger box with padding to transport the coins to the appraisal site.

If you are hoping to have your coin collection properly appraised, head to Coins Plus of Cincinnati, OH. Since 1972, their team of experts has offered thorough coin appraisals to local investors and enthusiasts. Whether you are hoping to trade, sell, or take out an insurance policy, you can use their estimation to further your goals. To learn more about this trusted dealer, visit the website or call (513) 621-1996 today.