Should I sell my coins on eBay or to a dealer?
Selling on eBay
eBay gives you access to millions of buyers, so you can often get close to retail value for your coins. You control the price and can set a reserve or starting bid. However, you'll pay fees of about 10–13% of the final price, plus shipping supplies and postage. You also need to take good photos, write accurate descriptions, and handle any returns or disputes.
For coins worth under $50, eBay may not be worth the effort after fees and shipping. For coins worth $100 or more, the extra profit can be significant. eBay's authentication service is required for many coins over $250, which adds time but also buyer confidence.
- Higher potential price
- You handle photos, listings, shipping
- Fees ~10–13% + shipping costs
- Best for coins worth $100+
Selling to a Dealer
A dealer offers instant cash and takes care of everything. You don't need to photograph, list, or ship anything. But dealers pay wholesale, often 50–70% of retail, because they need to make a profit. This can be a big difference on valuable coins.
Dealers are a good choice if you have common coins, want a quick sale, or don't want the hassle of online selling. For rare coins, you might be leaving money on the table. It's wise to get an offer from a dealer as a baseline, then compare with what similar coins sell for on eBay.
- Instant payment, no effort
- Lower price (wholesale)
- Good for common or low-value coins
- No fees or shipping
Common mistakes
- Assuming eBay always nets more: after fees and time, a dealer might be competitive for lower-value coins.
- Not checking dealer offers against eBay sold prices: you could underestimate your coin's value.
- Forgetting eBay's authentication requirement: coins over $250 may need to be sent to eBay first, delaying payment.
