Navigating the Sale of Mid-Grade Double Eagles: My Personal Insights

I recently dealt with selling some mid-grade double eagles—specifically upper AU and low MS examples in NGC slabs. It’s a situation many of us face, especially with gold prices climbing, and I picked up some useful tips that might help you avoid headaches and get better returns.

The Tight Spot with Mid-Grade Gold

When I started trying to move these coins, I discovered many dealers view them essentially as raw gold. They’d offer about 5% under spot, and worst-case scenario, send them straight to the smelter. What a shame to imagine these pieces of history turned into scrap metal! But selling directly to collectors isn’t much easier—coins in AU to low MS grades for common dates rarely carry much numismatic premium, and high gold values make online sales feel risky. You end up walking a line between fair value and preserving the coin’s story.

What Worked (and What Didn’t): My Sales Experiments

I tested a few different approaches, and here’s what stood out:

• Coin Shows: These worked well for me. Dealers are right there, deals happen fast, and you skip most fees. You’ll likely get cash quickly, though offers might hover near melt value.
• Auction Houses: Platforms like Hibid or Heritage can attract excited bidders who push prices over spot—but watch those fees. Buyer’s premiums often run 10% to 20%, which really dents your take. Say your coin sells for $3,600 with a 20% fee: you might net just $3,000. Sometimes that’s less than a dealer’s 95% melt offer! Always read the fine print—some houses like GC take only 5% from sellers.
• Direct Sales: Listing on forums or eBay cuts out the middleman and might snag a small premium from collectors who value the NGC slab. But brace yourself for slow sales, shipping stress, and payment delays.

How the Market Really Sees These Coins

From what I’ve seen, common-date double eagles in MS63 or lower are mostly valued for their gold content these days. With gold bouncing around $3,400 per ounce, there’s just not much numismatic juice in mid-grade pieces. An NGC slab helps confirm authenticity and purity, but don’t expect it to add much value—dealers like APMEX sell random-year MS61 Saints barely above bullion prices. Crunch your numbers: selling to a dealer at 95% of melt often beats auctions after fees, particularly when gold’s on a rollercoaster.

My Game Plan for Sellers

If I were selling these again, here’s exactly what I’d do:

• Know Your Coins: Double-check dates and grades—Liberty Heads or Saints usually need exceptional condition to pull premiums.
• Get Multiple Offers: Hit local shops or coin shows and pit dealers against each other. Aim for at least melt value.
• Keep Fees Low: If auctions are your route, pick houses with lower seller fees and remember to factor in shipping and taxes.
• Don’t Wait Too Long: Gold prices won’t stay high forever. Selling quickly locks in gains, and reputable dealers won’t melt slabbed coins.

For me, coin shows or direct sales usually strike the best balance of ease and profit with mid-grade gold. It’s a tricky situation, but it also shows how lively the coin market can be—happy hunting out there!