How I Monetized My Passion for PCGS Slabbed Type Sets: The Blueprint to a $50k Online Course

Let me share something crazy: I turned my basement coin collection into a **$50,000/year online course**. No fancy marketing. No 20-person team. Just me, my knowledge of PCGS slabbed type sets, and a laptop.

Step 1: Finding Your Niche (It’s Smaller Than You Think)

Here’s the reality: My mom still glazes over when I talk about my 1836 Gobrecht Dollar. But online? I found 10,000 collectors who geek out over this stuff.

• Go where your people hang out: For me, it was the r/coins subreddit and PCGS forums. Spend time there. Listen.
• Listen for frustrations: People kept asking, “How do I get my photos to look like dealer shots?” and “What’s the secret to finishing a type set?”

<

• Ask directly: I sent 120 collectors a quick survey. Two questions: “What’s your biggest coin collecting challenge?” and “Would you pay for help?” 68% said yes to photography help. That was my green light.

Actionable Takeaway

Create a Google Form tonight. Ask your niche:

• “What’s the hardest part of collecting type sets for you?”

<

• “What would you pay to learn [your specific skill]?”

Step 2: Building Your Course (Without Overthinking It)

I didn’t start with a 50-module epic. I built around what people actually needed:

• Module 1: Type Sets 101 – Where to start, what coins matter, and how to budget smartly.
• Module 2: Make Your Photos Pop – From phone shots to professional-grade images (this was the *biggest* request).
• Module 3: The Grading Game – How to read PCGS slabs, spot fakes, and understand what grades really mean.

Actionable Takeaway

Here’s a trick I used: I included this simple Python script to help students clean up coin photos. Not because they needed coding, but because it solved their problem in seconds:

// Python script to batch-remove backgrounds from coin photos
from rembg import remove
import os

for file in os.listdir('coin_photos/'):
    input_path = f'coin_photos/{file}'
    output_path = f'coin_photos/cleaned/{file}'
    with open(input_path, 'rb') as i:
        with open(output_path, 'wb') as o:
            o.write(remove(i.read()))

That one snippet made my course stick. It showed I wasn’t just talking – I was giving them tools.

Step 3: Picking Your Platform (The Real Talk)

I tried both. Here’s the honest breakdown:

• Teachable: This is where my main course lives. Full control. 90% of revenue. I use it for drip content, quizzes, and my private community.
• Udemy: I have a shorter version there. It’s not where I make most money, but it brings in new collectors who might not have found me otherwise.

Platform Comparison

Step 4: Creating Content That Actually Holds Attention

Let’s be real: No one watches boring coin lessons. Mine work because I kept it raw and visual:

• My camera: A Logitech Brio 4K on a glass stand (stole this tip from a forum member!).
• Lighting: Two regular lamps at 9:30 and 2:30 positions. No shadows. No glare.
• Editing: DaVinci Resolve to make those coins shine.

Actionable Takeaway

Record a “behind the scenes” video. Like this one I did:

“Watch me photograph my 1796 Half Dollar. Printer paper background. Phone on a PCGS box. Two lamps – simple stuff. But look at the result: This image got me +2 points on my registry submission.”

Step 5: Getting People to Actually See Your Course

You built it. Now the world needs to know. Here’s what worked:

1. Free PDF: “10 Rookie Mistakes in PCGS Type Sets” – gave it away for free.
2. Email magic: 5-day sequence. Day 1: “How to spot fake slabs.” Day 5: “Here’s how I can help you avoid this.”
3. Facebook ads: Targeted collectors 35-65. Cheap. Effective.
4. Free webinars: “Build Your Ultimate Type Set in 60 Minutes” – then offered the course.
5. Collectors as affiliates: 20% commission for anyone who brought me students.

Actionable Takeaway

Use Canva for your PDF. MailerLite for emails (free for first 1,000 subs). Try an email subject line like: “Your 1796 Half Dollar Might Be Worth Less Than You Think (Here’s Why)”.

Step 6: Making It Truly Passive (The Hard Part)

Once it was live, I stopped doing the heavy lifting:

• Automated emails: Set up drip content for days 1, 3, and 7 after enrollment.
• Private group: Facebook group for students to share photos, ask questions, and trade coins.
• Extra courses: “Coin Photography Masterclass” and “Grading Certification Prep” – both sold as upgrades.

Step 7: Keep It Alive (Most People Skip This)

I check these numbers weekly:

• Completion rate: 62% (way above average).
• Refund rate: 2.3% (most platforms expect 5%).
• What students pay: $127 on average (including those extra courses).

Actionable Takeaway

Google Analytics showed me a problem: 20% of students dropped off in Module 2. So I added a “Quick Win” video showing instant photo improvements. Fixed the leak.

Your Expertise Is Worth More Than You Think

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be ahead of the person who’s one step behind you. Here’s the reality:

1. Find your people – they’re out there.
2. Build around what hurts them – not what you love teaching.
3. Pick your platform – Teachable for control, Udemy for reach.
4. Make it visual – especially for a hobby like this.
5. Market it – free content first, then your course.
6. Keep it fresh – automate, track, improve.

That “no one cares” voice in your head? It’s lying. There are thousands of collectors who will pay to learn what you know. Now go build your course.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• Optimizing Supply Chain Software: A Technical Deep Dive into Building Smarter Logistics Systems – Let’s get real: if your logistics software feels like herding cats, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years helping companies…
• How Passion Projects Optimize Game Engines: Lessons from Coin Collecting for AAA Game Development – AAA game development runs on performance. And behind every smooth frame and responsive mechanic is a developer who obses…
• How Community-Driven Feedback Loops Are Shaping the Future of Automotive Software Development – Modern cars aren’t just machines—they’re rolling software platforms. As an automotive software engineer with ten years b…