How I Turned My Numismatic Expertise into a $50,000 Online Course: A Blueprint for Aspiring Edupreneurs

I remember the first time I held a 1933-S half dollar. My hands shook. Not from excitement, but from the nagging doubt: *Is this real?* That moment sparked my journey from coin collector to educator. Today, my course on rare coin authentication brings in $50,000 a year. Here’s how you can do the same with your expertise.

Identifying a Niche: The Coin Collecting Goldmine

I didn’t set out to create a course. I just wanted to help other collectors avoid the heartbreak of buying a fake. My obsession with rare coins – especially the mysterious 1933-S half dollar – became the foundation for “Mastering Rare Coin Authentication: From Novice to Expert.”

Why This Niche Worked for Me

• A thriving market: The coin collecting industry is worth $5 billion. People *love* this stuff.

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• A real problem: Scams are everywhere. My course helps collectors protect their investments.
• Passionate people: Collectors will pay to learn. They want to avoid costly mistakes.

Creating the Course: From Concept to Curriculum

Turning my knowledge into a course wasn’t about lecturing. It was about creating a journey. Students wouldn’t just *learn* about coins; they’d learn to *see* them like experts.

Step 1: What Should Students Actually Learn?

I started with the end in mind. By the time they finished, students should be able to:

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• Explain why certain U.S. coins are valuable (and which ones to watch out for).

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• Spot the most common fake coins on the market.

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• Use simple tools to examine coins like a pro.

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• Identify the “flattened arm” on a fake 1933-S half dollar (a dead giveaway).

Step 2: Building the Course Roadmap

My course has 10 modules. Each one builds on the last, like stacking coins:

1. Rare Coins 101: The stories behind the money.

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2. Spotting Fakes: Casting, plating, and other tricks.

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3. Tools of the Trade: Magnifiers that show you what’s hidden.

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4. Light Matters: How shadows reveal secrets.
5. Side-by-Side: Compare real and fake side-by-side.
6. Micro-Analysis: The tiny details most miss.
7. Real Fakes: Case studies (including my own mistakes).
8. Grading Explained: What PCGS and NGC really mean.
9. Building Your Collection: Buying, storing, insuring.
10. Pro Tools: When to use UV light and XRF analyzers.

Step 3: Making the Videos (Without Looking Like a Robot)

Good video matters. I used a 4K camera so students could see every scratch, every dent. My lighting setup made the coins pop. Here’s what I said in one lesson:


// Lighting lesson script

"Light isn't just for visibility. It's your detective tool.
See how the sun rays on this *real* 1933-S half dollar
create depth? Now look at the fake. Flat. Lifeless.
That's your first clue."


Editing was key. I used Premiere Pro to zoom in on details, add arrows for emphasis, and show side-by-side comparisons. Nothing gets missed.

Choosing the Right Platform: Teachable vs. Udemy

Teachable: For Those Who Want Control

Teachable let me build a course that felt like *mine*. My domain, my branding, my rules. Here’s what made it work:

• My Name, My Brand: coinexpert.com looks professional.
• Flexible Pricing: Pay once ($297) or split it into three payments.
• Email List: Mailchimp integration helped me stay in touch.

Udemy: For Quick Reach (With Trade-Offs)

Udemy has a built-in audience. I priced the course lower ($199) to attract students. But I always directed them to my Teachable site for extras: bonus videos, worksheets, and updates.

Marketing the Course: From Zero to $50,000

The Email List: My Secret Weapon

I didn’t launch with zero students. Before day one, I had 5,000 collectors on my list. How? Free value:

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• Free Ebook: “5 Red Flags of Counterfeit Coins” (the #1 question I get)
• Free Webinar: “How to Spot a Counterfeit 1933-S Half Dollar” (live Q&A was gold)

Aweber handled the emails. I sent tips, stories, and gentle nudges toward the course.

Social Media: Where Collectors Hang Out

Coin people love Facebook groups, Reddit, and YouTube. I didn’t “sell” there. I showed up as an expert:

• Short Videos: 1-2 minute clips with quick tips. (“See this seam? Fake.”)

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• Facebook Groups: Answered questions, shared stories (no spam).

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• Reddit: Helped in r/coins. Linked to my course when it solved the problem.

Affiliate Marketing: Let Others Sell For You

I contacted bloggers and YouTubers in the numismatic world. Offered 20% commission. They promoted the course. I paid them when they made a sale. No risk, big reach.

Paid Ads: Targeting the Right People

Facebook ads targeted coin collector groups. The carousel ads showed real student results and case studies. The headline? Honest and urgent:

“Lost $10,000 on a counterfeit 1933-S half dollar? Learn how to spot fakes with our expert-led course.”

Monetizing Beyond the Course: More Than Just One Product

Digital Products (Easy Upsells)

After the course, I created smaller, cheaper products:

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• Checklist PDF: “10-Point Coin Authentication Checklist” ($9.99) – perfect for quick reviews.

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• Video Series: “Advanced Counterfeit Detection Techniques” ($49.99) – for serious collectors.
• Private Community: Monthly membership ($19.99) for live Q&A and coin reviews.

Coaching: For Those Who Want Personal Help

Serious collectors wanted more. I started 1-on-1 coaching at $197/hour. We walk through their collection, authenticate coins together, and build strategies. It’s the most rewarding part.

Key Takeaways: What Actually Worked

This wasn’t magic. It was work, strategy, and a love for coins. Here’s what matters:

1. Start with your thing: I picked numismatics because I *love* it. Passion is contagious.
2. Make it a journey: Structure your course so students progress, like leveling up in a game.
3. Pick your platform wisely: Teachable gives you freedom. Udemy gives you reach. Use both.
4. Talk to real people: Email, social media, and ads work when you solve problems, not just shout.
5. Keep the money coming: Digital products, coaching, and memberships create multiple streams.

My course has helped hundreds of collectors avoid bad buys. More importantly, it’s given me a way to share my passion *and* get paid for it. If you know something – about coins, gardening, programming, or anything – you can build this too. You don’t need a fancy studio. You need what I had: a real problem to solve and the willingness to teach.

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