Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.BlogSpot.com.
Here is a quick but powerful video showing some of the lots in the upcoming Nov. 6 Sedwick Coins auction in Orlando.Above is one of the many images from the auction teaser video. Click on the following link to go to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pau9XNFLroo
Fun video!
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Many people think that an older coin will naturally be more valuable than a modern coin. It seems natural that an ancient coin that is hundreds or thousands of years old would be very valuable. You might be surprised to learn that U. S. coins are often more valuable than ancient coins though. There is simply more interest in and a better market for many U. S. coins.
The U. S. Coin Values Advisor did a study involving the selling price of thousands of U. S and ancient coins on eBay to see how U. S. coins compared in value to ancient coins.
The average selling price for ancient coins was higher than the average selling price for Indian Head cents and Morgan dollars, but the highest selling price for both Indian Head cents and Morgan dollars was much higher than the highest selling price for an ancient coin.
There are many common and lower-condition Indian Head cents and Morgan dollars sold at relatively low prices, but rarer examples in fine condition sell for very high prices - much higher prices than ancient coins.
To be specific, an 1877 MS-66 Indian Head sold for $53,000 while a 320 BC Stater sold for nearly $15,000. The Stater was over 1500 years older than the Indian Head.
Here is the table summarizing the results of that study.
And here is the link to the article about how U. S. coins are often a better investment ancient coins.
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/Ancient-coins-vs-US-coins.html
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A variety of factors determine the value of an item, but you won't get the full value of an item unless you get the item in front of the people that really want it. They say that an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, so you have to get the item in front of the person that is willing to pay a lot for it. That person will often be the person that appreciates it the most.
Some people don't sell finds. I say it is good to sell an item when by selling the item it goes to someone who cherishes it and will take good care of it.
I'm not talking about things like class rings or engagement rings here.
I've sold some items that went to museums where they were displayed and viewed by many people. That is the kind of thing that pleases me.
One bottle from Fort Pierce was bought by a well known bottle collector, who published a picture of the bottle in a book on pharmacy bottles. In cases like that I'm glad I sold the item, and I feel that I did the right thing by offering the item for sale.
Selling an item sometimes isn't just about the money. It can be a way to find the best home for the item.
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The one remaining tropical disturbance in still down by the West Indies, but moving generally towards the Treasure Coast at this point.
We have a small surf on the Treasure Coast. It might increase in a few days.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net.