# Coins appraised online? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 21, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327 "2014-06-21T22:31:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/1 "2014-06-21T22:31:42Z")
My sister inherited a house, and found a huge collection of silver dollars, up to 100 years old, in a closet. Is there a reliable way to get them appraised before we put them all up on eBay or whatever? I have ZERO knowledge in this area, so am much obliged for any relevant information. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/2 "2014-06-21T22:43:43Z")
I’m pretty sure there are coin collector’s on here. Until you hear from them … I doubt very much you can get them appraised on line for other than there silver content value. If they are in reasonable shape and you really won’t be able to tell that if you’re asking a basic question, you need to take them to a coin dealer. Don’t just take them to someone who advertises we buy old coins. They will almost certainly give you only the silver content value, and I suspect you can probably do better than that. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/3 "2014-06-21T23:27:39Z")
If they’re only “up to 100 years old,” they’re probably fairly common. But it may help if you familiarize yourself with the basics, and I recommend [PCGS](http://www.pcgs.com) (The Professional Coin Grading Service). If you’ve got anything that you think may have some value, send it to them, and for a fee they’ll certify and grade it for you. This is not worth it for common dates, but is very important for any rarity . . . and will get you a greater price when you sell them. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/4 "2014-06-22T00:41:29Z")
Professional coin dealer of 45 years here. Old silver dollars melt, currently, for $16. We, as fair dealers, pay $19 each for average, common date pieces. Old has nothing to do with it. Basically, if you have silver dollars dated between 1921-1927, they’re $19 each. There are a few better between 1928-1935. Specifically a 1928 no mint mark, and 1934-1935. The 1928 no mintmark is the best. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/5 "2014-06-22T01:22:19Z")
Like Sam said, old is no indicator of value. Scarcity and condition are the keys, but without the first, the second is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/6 "2014-06-22T10:14:11Z")
I use the price guide at [usacoinbook.com](http://usacoinbook.com) as a quick reference, if I feel I have something of value I’ll have it appraised. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a professional to appraise it but you should offer them something for their time for a large collection. Also, in the price guide, notice the grading at the top of the columns. If the coins are in great condition, you may have hit a jackpot. Let’s hope they were in a container or something while in the closet. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/7 "2014-06-22T11:37:51Z")
Heed the wisdom of **Samclem**. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/8 "2014-06-22T17:46:22Z")
Thanks to all, especially Samclem. A good starting point. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/9 "2014-06-22T18:04:14Z")
So . . . is this accurate? is this coin worth $533? > **[1928 Peace Dollar](https://cointrackers.com/coins/281/1928-peace-dollar/)** > > CoinTrackers.com estimates the value of a 1928 Peace Dollar in average condition to be worth $500.00, while one in mint state could be valued around $3,500. (see details)... ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/10 "2014-06-22T18:08:50Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > So . . . is this accurate? is this coin worth $533? > > [1928 Peace Dollar Value | CoinTrackers](http://cointrackers.com/coins/281/1928-peace-dollar/) Doesn’t this answer your question? > [@samclem](#): > > There are a few better between 1928-1935. Specifically a 1928 no mint mark, and 1934-1935. The 1928 no mintmark is the best. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/11 "2014-06-22T18:15:54Z")
So . . . should I sell these on eBay? or trust a local coin dealer? Sorry, I’m sure these questions are incredibly stupid. I’d be happy to give a commission to anyone willing to give me some practical help. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/12 "2014-06-22T20:09:49Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > So . . . is this accurate? is this coin worth $533? > > [1928 Peace Dollar Value | CoinTrackers](http://cointrackers.com/coins/281/1928-peace-dollar/) Absolutely a useless site. I have average 1928-P(no mintmark) dollars in average condition(Fine-Very Fine) which I will sell to anyone for $225. each. Dealers might give you $125-150 each for that condition. I’ll sell you an uncirculated one for $400. They’re an overpriced coin. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/13 "2014-06-22T20:16:24Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > So . . . should I sell these on eBay? or trust a local coin dealer? Sorry, I’m sure these questions are incredibly stupid. I’d be happy to give a commission to anyone willing to give me some practical help. Local coin dealers vary tremendously. Call a few and ask how much they’re paying for some silver dollars dated 1922-1926. $19 is a fair price. Less than that is too cheap. If your dollars are dated before 1921, then they need looked at for dates, mintmarks and condition. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coins-appraised-online/691327/14 "2014-06-22T20:31:07Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > So . . . should I sell these on eBay? or trust a local coin dealer? Sorry, I’m sure these questions are incredibly stupid. I’d be happy to give a commission to anyone willing to give me some practical help. Ebay is a total scam. They force you to accept paypal, which they also own. Buyers are not charged a fee for either buying or using paypal, only the seller. Iirc, they charge about 30% after all is calculated. The $19 price samclem mentioned is probably the best deal you can get if none are gradable. According to [melt values](http://www.usacoinbook.com/coin-melt-values/), coins from that era have 85% of a troy ounce of silver in them, if silver prices today are say $20 per ozt, melt value is $17, and virtually all dealers will never buy at melt value. The best price I’ve ever gotten for precious metals from a dealer was around 90%. Jewelry stores and “We Buy Gold” outfits usually offer in the 50% range.