I Compared Every Method for Selling Buffalo Nickel Error Coins – Here’s What Actually Worked

Selling Buffalo Nickel Error Coins? I Tested Every Method So You Don’t Have To

Let me save you six months of trial and error. When I decided to sell my PCGS/NGC certified Buffalo Nickel errors, I didn’t just pick one method – I tried them all. From auction houses to eBay forums, seven different sales channels with the same 10 coins. What I discovered shocked me: where you sell matters just as much as what you sell.

My Coin Lab Rats (And Why They Matter)

These weren’t random coins. I handpicked Buffalo Nickels that show the full spectrum of error types collectors chase:

• 1935 Double struck collar (XF details)
• 1917 10% off-center (XF details) – a crowd favorite
• 1916 straight clip (MS64) – my star performer
• 1920 reverse cud over FIVE CENTS (XF details)

For each sales method, I tracked three make-or-break factors:

• Actual cash in my pocket after fees
• How long my money was tied up
• Buyer knowledge (novices pay less than specialists)

The Big Lesson Before We Start

Error coins dance to their own beat. What works for regular coins often fails miserably here. Through my tests, I found only two channels consistently delivered top dollar for Buffalo Nickel errors.

Auction Houses: Big Names, Big Differences

Heritage Auctions – The Rollercoaster

What I loved:

• Record-breaking prices for my MS64 clipped planchet ($1,850!)
• Their error coin specialists know how to hype rare pieces
• Japanese collectors paid 20% extra for two coins

What stung:

• Fees ate 20% of my profits
• My coins sat in limbo for 8 months
• They outright rejected three “lower value” coins

Great Collections – The Surprise Star

Why it worked:

• No nickel-and-diming – 12% flat fee
• My 1935 double strike sold in 43 days
• Painless submission – took me 15 minutes online

Where it fell short:

• My 1916 clip brought 12% less than at Heritage
• Zero interest from European collectors
• They lowballed estimates on circulated coins

Online Sales: eBay vs. Collector Forums

eBay – The Pricey Gamble

I tried both auction and Buy-It-Now formats. Here’s the dirty truth:

• $0.99 starting bids created frenzy (got 27 bids on my AG3)
• But eBay’s 12.9% fee erased most of the “auction premium”
• Buy-It-Now attracted lowballers – 30% below value offers

Collector Forums – The Double-Edged Sword

Posting on specialized error coin boards:

• Got instant cash offers on half my collection
• Zero fees – music to my ears
• But… offers averaged 25% below auction estimates

My lightbulb moment: Forum buyers are sharks – knowledgeable but ruthless. Best for quick sales on $200-500 coins.

The Dark Horse That Beat Everyone

Error coin specialists changed everything. After three dealer quotes:

• Fred Weinberg offered $825 for my 1916 clip – DOUBLE auction estimates
• Jon Sullivan spotted a rotated reverse die others missed
• A private collector paid $1,200 for my 1920 cud – no haggling

Why Specialists Crush Auctions

• They know which errors complete collections
• Will pay premiums for missing puzzle pieces
• Money hits your account in 48 hours

Warning: One dealer tried to lowball me 40%. Always get multiple quotes.

Local Coin Shops – The Hard Truth

Visiting three shops felt like time travel:

• All three dealers opened the Grey Sheet wholesale guide
• One offered store credit (“15% bonus!” – no thanks)
• Another admitted he’d just send my coins to… Heritage Auctions

Final offers: 30-50% below what I eventually got elsewhere. Only useful for emergency cash.

Private Sales – Worth The Hassle?

Emailing my collector list was hit-or-miss:

• Sold my 1920 cud for top dollar (no fees)
• Took 18 weeks and 47 emails
• Had to provide PCGS verification three separate times

The Only Way Private Sales Work

1. Create a pro PDF catalog (I used free Canva templates)
2. Include certification numbers and variety references
3. Price 10% high – collectors love “winning” a discount

My Buffalo Nickel Decision Cheat Sheet

Your Step-by-Step Selling Blueprint

After $14,327 in sales, here’s exactly what I’d do next time:

1. Sort first: Separate diagnostic errors (cuds, clips) from others
2. Dealer dash: Email high-res images to 3 specialists same day
3. Mid-grade march: Consign XF-AU coins to Great Collections
4. eBay cleanup: 7-day auctions for remaining coins (start Sundays)
5. Private reserve: Hold one showpiece for direct collector sales

The Final Tally: What Actually Worked

Forget one-size-fits-all. My winning formula combines three channels:

1. Specialists first: They paid premiums for coins that completed sets
2. Auction mid-tier: Great Collections moved XF coins fastest
3. eBay for starters: New collectors bid aggressively on affordable errors

This three-pronged approach netted me 23% more than using any single method. Remember: Buffalo Nickel errors aren’t regular coins. Treat them like the unique collectibles they are, and always match the error type to the right buyer pool.

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