Coins are extremely cyclic. What this means is that their book values go up and down all the time. And since there are so many factors that effect their market values, any single factor can cause it to go up or down. Once a coin goes down, it can go down to dirt cheap levels. When it goes up, it could easily go way past it’s actual book value. Their cycles are a bit different from stocks. Stocks can go up in value indefinitely or go down in value indefinitely. With coins, they just go up and down all the time. Once down in value, it’s kind of hard to tell how long it will take to recover. Once up in market value, it will only stay up there for a couple of weeks to a couple of months before going down in value. But it is these known characteristics that allows us to profit from the coin cycle.
On the other hand, many collectors are just as passionate about their coins for other reasons, not quantifiable in the bitcoin mixer market. Coins are so often tokens of curiosity about people, places, and historical events.
If you are wanting some assurance that the condition of the coin is as stated by the dealer or the packaging, buy an encapsulated coin that has been graded by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).
The second way to profit in a coin cycle is to sell your coin at the height of the coin cycle. How do you know when a coin is at or about at the height of the coin cycle? When everybody is selling coin and the final hammer price doesn’t get any higher, then you know a coin is at the high point of its’ coin cycle. Usually one or two people start selling theirs for the current market price. Then a couple more people start bitcoin selling theirs for a higher price. Then more people jump in till the market is completely saturated with the coin. Once saturated, it will not be long before this coin becomes oversold. It is during this time that you should offer yours. This is the time that you will get the most money for your coin.
Another factor that determines a coins worth is its rarity. Surprisingly rarity is less of a factor in determining an ancient coins worth then modern day coins. Modern day coins will be worth a lot if there were few minted, or few in circulation. Given the large number of collectors this is more of a factor with Modern coins. This would drive up the cost of a rare coin if collectors are trying to complete their collection.
There were some “freelancers” offering to provide this service, but I would caution against that. Mostly because you have to provide them with your address, which we were not comfortable doing.
Later, you can build your collection as far as you would like to. Don’t be intimidated by all of the fancy and expensive coins at your local coin dealer. Just start out where you feel comfortable and go from there. A bit later down the road, you may discover that you have an incredible coin collection that is very valuable and one that you are extremely proud of too!