Should I clean my items?
Cleaning any collectible is probably the biggest single mistake non collectors make under the notion that if it looks better, it will bring more money. Nothing can be further from the truth; Collectors want items in their original condition, dirt, scratches and all. It shows originality. Once an item has been cleaned or altered it’s price has been lowered forever. Never clean collectibles yourself.
Grade and/or Condition
The grade and/or condition of an item effects the price of all collectibles in all fields. Most collectible prices are based on the condition of the item. This is very simple, the nicer condition of the item, the more it should bring.
Supply and Demand
Like any other market, the prices on coins, currency, & collectibles is based on supply and demand. Supply and demand in simple terms says that I can have an item that there are only 5 known in the world, but if there is only one buyer, chances are it will sell for very little because the buyer has so many choices. It might not even sell at all! Converesly, I can have an item that 10,000 are available and we have 100,000 people that want these items, it’s a good bet we will get good money for this item and quickly. In a nut shell, that is supply and demand.
Does age determine an items value?
The age of an item does not necessarily add value. We sell authentic antique Roman coins that over 1000 years old for less than $20 each. On the other hand, we would pay $2000+ for a 1995-W United States Silver Dollar! Why? Because of our old friend supply and demand.
What determines the price of rare coins and paper money?
Date – Condition – Supply & Demand are the 3 factors that determine price values on most collectibles. Simply put, regardless what the book, internet, paper, or what I saw it on the internet selling for, an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it in cash. If I have an item that a book or expert says is worth $10,000 and I take it everywhere on earth and the best offer I can get is $5000, this means that the real value is $5,000 cash in hand, not the listed book or expert price.
Bill would make gold, silver legal tender in Utah
“SALT LAKE CITY — A local lawmaker’s bill to allow gold and silver coins to be used as legal tender in Utah is gaining momentum.
The Senate voted 24-4 on Wednesday to adopt HB 317, sponsored by Rep. Brad Galvez, R-West Haven, to allow the precious metals to be used in retail transactions.
Galvez says the measure is a step toward an inflation-proof alternative to paper currency.
If signed into law, the measure would make Utah the second state in the U.S., after Colorado, to recognize the coins as legal tender.”
Read More here: http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/03/07/bill-would-make-gold-silver-legal-tender-utah
The “King of U.S. Coins”
The 1804 dollar is among the most coveted of all rare U.S. coins, with only 15 known examples. Strangely enough, no dollars dated 1804 actually were struck in that year. The United States Mint prepared dollars dated 1803 in 1804, and then stopped regular production of silver dollars until 1840.
Read the full article here… http://www.money.org/Exhibits/1804Dollar/