Toutitres

An experienced coin collector will be able to estimate the value of most coins quickly, but at  times a person with no background in numismatics inherits a coin collection from a relative.

Some of the techniques which can be used to evaluating the value of a coin collection are:
1. Taking the collection to a coin dealer and asking for a valuation. If it is possible, take the  collection to multiple dealers who are not acquainted with each other and compare the valuation  offered by different dealers. The price offered by the dealers will be lower than that listed on online resources, especially if you indicate that you wish to sell the coins . Some banks may recommend a particular numismatic dealer

2. Coinage and other coin related magazine will have retail prices of popular coins listed. This information can be used as a guide. Coin magazines are usually available at Walmart and popular bookstores. Books on coins are also available at online bookstores

3. Local Coin clubs or a hobbyist may help in grading and valuation of a coin collection for a nominal fee

4. Online resources like coinland.com

Often people collect coins as a hobby and do not have the time or inclination to separate them out. However, if the coins are to be sold or a valuation fixed for the coin collection, the coins have to be first categorized based on the country, the denomination of the coin and the year in which the coins were issued. If the collection contains a large number of coins which have been issued over several centuries , it may be advisable to classify the coins issued over a ten or twenty year period as a single category.

The value of a coin depends on several factors, some of which are:
1. The year in which the coin was issued - coins which were issued several centuries ago are obviously more valuable than coins issued recently.

2. For some coin designs only a limited number of coins are minted, so these coins are more valuable.

3. The condition of the coin : The better the condition of the coin, the higher the price. Discolored or chipped coins may not be very valuable. A coin in extra fine condition will have all the lettering intact , not smoothed away . The value of this coin could be up to twenty times  more than that of a coin in just “good” condition