Coin value question

[cbrczar]

I have the 2009 Red Book on coin values and I just recently received a March 2010 Coin Prices magazine. Are the coins listed in the Coin Prices magazine as each or by roll? Example: A 1983D penny graded MS65 is listed in Coin Prices magazine as 5.50 and the 2009 Red Book lists the same coin as .25. If the Coin Prices magazine values are "each", then why the big difference in prices?

[JeanK]

I have always understood that the prices are for each coin.
In the 2010 Redbook the same coin is 'priced' at .30c for an MS65 1983D Lincoln cent. But I doubt you will find any MS65 Lincoln for sale at that low of a price. As for the $5.50, well, it has to be an awfully nice coin, preferably graded and slabbed, before I would buy it.
It all comes down to the the fact that the price of an item is whatever the market will bear.
My opinion only.
Jean

[cbrczar]

I am logging all of my pennies on a spreadsheet and one of my columns is "current estimated price". There are so many different price guides available, which should I use? I would like to insert a price that I could use in order to estimate my total collection worth and a price that I could quote someone if case they wanted to buy some of my coins.

[JeanK]

The price guides are just approximated values based on the over all quality and grade of the coin and the recorded sales records of the coins via auctions, etc. If coins are circulated or have condition issues then the value decreases substantially unless the coin is a variety or very rare specimen.

I often record the cost of the coin and if I discover a higher value I will log that number into an separate column.
It will likely take a lot of research to determine an actual market value of a coin, including searching the internet for exactly the coin you have and determining what the average asking price is for each coin.
Knowing the 'grade' of the coin you have or want to purchase is rather important in determining its value. Learning how to grade is a task I am constantly learning. A book named "Photograde" by James F. Ruddy, is a great tool for a beginner and long time collector.
I don't know if this helps. Just some thoughts and ideas on cyber- paper to think about.
Jean

[AgCollector]

For common modern cents, I wouldn't bother to find a value (unless it's by the roll) since they are so common you won't be able to sell them for much (any?) over face value anyways.

[ericodapro]

I use auction sites like ebay alot to see what current value trends are for a certain date. You can easily average the final bid prices and get a pretty close idea of the market values. As Jean stated, coin grade is the most important factor to determine a price. Graded coins are typically higher priced than raw coins also.