# Looking for resources to estimate the value of a fifty year Franklin Mint coin collection. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 4, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975 "2013-03-04T04:38:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/21 "2013-03-05T03:41:05Z")
I’ve been looking through some Ebay auctions. Theres a lot of US Mint uncirculated and proof sets. This seller has a entire lot that covers the same years my dad collected. [http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-2012-US-Mint-Proof-Uncirculated-Set-IKE-SBA-SAC-Dollars-Kennedy-Coins-/140880855415?pt=Coins\_US\_Individual&hash=item20cd274177](http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-2012-US-Mint-Proof-Uncirculated-Set-IKE-SBA-SAC-Dollars-Kennedy-Coins-/140880855415?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item20cd274177) I’m guessing that a lot of older people’s estates are being sold right now. The odds aren’t good after passing 80. My dad was 84. I bet a lot of people in that age range collected these coin sets during their lives. The market will be flooded for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/22 "2013-03-05T08:25:10Z")
Keep in mind that like so many other things, what was once collectible is now less so. People have many more options for their free time and although I have no statistics, I would guess that there will be fewer people collecting coins in the future. We may be near the peak of most coin values. ---
**Author:** ![rabid\_reader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d26b3c/32.png) [@rabid\_reader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabid_reader)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/23 "2013-03-07T18:15:17Z")
This is my first post so excuse me if this is slightly off-topic. The previous reply made me think that now may be a good time to sell my coin collection. I stopped collecting before 1985 although I did collect a lot of the States quarters. I wonder how I can find a reputable and honest coin dealer either locally or nationally? I keep hearing stories of how people get ripped off on their coins so Id like to know what to look out. Any suggestion is welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/24 "2013-03-07T19:00:43Z")
Go through a [dealer registered with the American Numismatic Association](http://www.money.org/membership/dealer-directory.aspx) (I believe our resident expert **samclem** is a member.) Not only are they legit, they have the best web domain ever. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/25 "2013-03-07T21:53:06Z")
That Numismatic site listed several Arkansas dealers. Thanks. My mom reminded me that they received some sort of Numismatic guide every year that gives current prices. they have them all saved going back thirty or so years. Someone told them they were collectible too. Also, I learned my dad started buying these US Mint sets in 1950. Not 1960. Mom said some years they bought multiple sets. It is going to be a nightmare cataloging and packing this collection. ☹ ☹ I’m almost tempted to leave most of it in the safe and sell the contents with the house. I won’t but would be very tempted. I’m going to be overwhelmed enough when I eventually lose my mom. Thankfully Shes healthy right now. ---
**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:** [March 7, 2013, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/26 "2013-03-07T22:41:31Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That Numismatic site listed several Arkansas dealers. Thanks. > > My mom reminded me that they received some sort of Numismatic guide every year that gives current prices. they have them all saved going back thirty or so years. Someone told them they were collectible too. > > Also, I learned my dad started buying these US Mint sets in 1950. Not 1960. Mom said some years they bought multiple sets. > > It is going to be a nightmare cataloging and packing this collection. ☹ ☹ > > I’m almost tempted to leave most of it in the safe and sell the contents with the house. I won’t but would be very tempted. I’m going to be overwhelmed enough when I eventually lose my mom. Thankfully Shes healthy right now. Some of the 50s sets have collectible Franklin halves, especially if they have a good strike and full bell lines (FBL). The '55 is desirable, selling now on eBay for between $15-$30 in BU condition. Also, any pre-65 silver coins are actually mostly silver (except for the nickel, of course). You _could_ just throw your fate to the winds and list the entire collection as a lot on ebay. Start the bidding at $1.00 and see what happens. Be sure to give a complete description and plenty of photos. People get into bidding wars over these kinds of collections, especially if they haven’t been sorted, i.e., “unsearched” (use this exact word, if you do this). There could be double dies in there or other errors that people would be willing to take a chance on finding. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/27 "2013-03-08T00:35:28Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Here’s the bad news. Proof and uncirculated sets made by the US Mint since 1970 > are as cheap as I’ve ever seen them. Most you can get anywhere from $2.50-10. There are a few ouliers worth more, but the average is horrible. > > THe silver proof sets are bringing decent money. Figure you can get about 20 times the face value for the silver ones. > > The FRanklin mint silver and gold medals/coins are doing well, by accident. > They’re worth selling right now. > > Oh yeah, the pre-1965 mint/proof sets are also good now. 20 times face value But how are coins doing in general? I can’t help thinking that with high unemployment, lots of people have been selling their collections. So is it a buyers’ market? I don’t mean precious metals, but just the coin market. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/28 "2013-03-08T00:37:04Z")
As a general rule, the prices of antiques and collectibles are down (or static). The exception is Chinese-made stuff. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/29 "2013-03-08T00:50:55Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Go through a [dealer registered with the American Numismatic Association](http://www.money.org/membership/dealer-directory.aspx) (I believe our resident expert **samclem** is a member.) Not only are they legit, they have the best web domain ever. Actually, I quit the ANA about 20 years ago. They’re all about politics. Being an ANA member means little. Sorry I ddin’t follow up on the ARkansas thing. I’ll get on it tomorrow. Yep, the early 1950s sets will be very good. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/30 "2013-03-08T04:12:24Z")
I really appreciate everyones comments and suggestions. There’s a lot of mixed emotions dealing with these coins. I didn’t realize dad had started collecting even before getting married. He had a lot of fun with it and it would be nice to pass it along to someone that has a similar passion. At a profit of course. 😃 Making some money was the purpose in collecting in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![rabid\_reader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d26b3c/32.png) [@rabid\_reader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rabid_reader)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/31 "2013-03-08T18:31:53Z")
Thank you, Bright, for the tip. I’ll look into it. Best of luck with your dad’s collection, aceplace57. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/32 "2013-03-08T18:40:27Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Actually, I quit the ANA about 20 years ago. They’re all about politics. Being an ANA member means little. Whoops. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/33 "2013-03-09T06:45:35Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > … > Making some money was the purpose in collecting in the first place. If you’re collecting _anything_ with the intention of making money, so is everyone else. You ain’t going to see a decent profit. Sorry. If you’re collecting something because you’re a nut about it, on the other hand, you might actually make bucks. I’ve got 4 (2 “C”, an “E” and a “+”) Apple II’s. I got one for $10, another for $25, and the other 2 for free. They’re _all_ going for about $600, last time I looked. I think it’s time to decide which one I want to keep, and the rest, _Sell_!!! My childhood coin collection, on the other hand? I could spend them at face value, and save myself the time and trouble of finding someone who’ll _buy_ them at much more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/34 "2013-03-09T08:00:30Z")
I figured I’d piggyback on this thread (as others have done) to ask about some silver coins. I have a 1999 and a 2003 US Liberty silver dollar coin. They’re been in their original flip-pouch plastic packing since I bought them (not airtight). They both have two spots of tarnish on the edge milling (the face and obverse are flawless). Is it worth having anything done to stabilize these against further tarnishing, or is their value going to remain only slightly over the melt value for the forseeable future? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975/35 "2013-03-09T12:14:21Z")
> [@Terry\_Kennedy](#): > > I figured I’d piggyback on this thread (as others have done) to ask about some silver coins. I have a 1999 and a 2003 US Liberty silver dollar coin. They’re been in their original flip-pouch plastic packing since I bought them (not airtight). They both have two spots of tarnish on the edge milling (the face and obverse are flawless). Is it worth having anything done to stabilize these against further tarnishing, or is their value going to remain only slightly over the melt value for the forseeable future? Tarnish won’t hurt. Value will always be a little over the silver price. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-resources-to-estimate-the-value-of-a-fifty-year-franklin-mint-coin-collection/651975.md?page=1)