Where to Get the Best Price for a Wide Rim 1979 SBA Nickel with Curious Mint Mark: eBay or Coin Shows?

The venue you choose to sell your coin can dramatically shape your final profit. I’ve been buying and selling rare coins, error coins, and curious mint mark varieties for over twenty years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty: where you sell matters almost as much as what you’re selling. Today, we’re using a fascinating real-world example — a wide rim 1979 SBA (Small Business Administration) nickel bearing an unusual and unconfirmed “P over S” mint mark variety — to walk you through every consideration a collector should weigh when choosing between listing on eBay and selling at a coin show.

Understanding the Coin in Question: The 1979 Wide Rim SBA Nickel

What Makes the 1979 SBA Nickel Collectible?

The 1979-S Small Business Administration nickel sits in a curious space for collectors. Issued to commemorate the Small Business Administration, these nickels were struck in limited quantities compared to their standard Jefferson counterparts. That scarcity alone boosts their collectibility among type-set collectors and commemoratives enthusiasts. The wide rim variety, as described by the collector in our forum thread, features a noticeably broader border around the obverse and reverse designs. In my experience, wide rim examples draw heightened eye appeal — and that visual distinction often translates into stronger market demand.

The Mysterious “P over S” Mint Mark

Now here’s where things get truly exciting. The collector reported seeing what appeared to be a “P” overlaid on or positioned near an “S” mint mark on the obverse. To my knowledge, a confirmed P-over-S mint mark variety on any U.S. coin — particularly a modern nickel — has never been officially documented. Mint mark varieties are among the most thrilling finds in numismatics, but they also attract scrutiny. Forum members rightly pointed out that without high-resolution photography and expert authentication, such a variety remains speculative at best.

The coin could be a die variety with unusual mint mark positioning, a struck-through artifact, or simply an optical illusion created by die polish lines or toning patterns under magnification. What’s critical for sellers to understand: coins with unconfirmed or potentially novel mint mark varieties carry both heightened interest and heightened risk in the marketplace. How you present and sell such a coin matters enormously.

The Case for Selling on eBay: Reaching a Global Audience

eBay Fees and the Bottom Line

Let’s start with the math — because that’s what ultimately drives the decision for most collectors. eBay’s current fee structure for most numismatic items includes a 13.25% final value fee (combining the base fee and payment processing), with a minimum of $0.30 per order. For a coin that might sell in the $15 to $50 range — realistic for a modern SBA nickel even with an unusual mint mark observation — those fees can eat significantly into your profit margin.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Sale price: $25.00 — eBay fees (13.25% + $0.30): approximately $3.61
• Sale price: $50.00 — eBay fees: approximately $6.93
• Sale price: $100.00 — eBay fees: approximately $13.55

And that’s before you factor in shipping costs (insurance for valuable coins is strongly recommended), payment processing fees, and the time investment in photographing, listing, managing inquiries, and handling returns. For a coin with an unconfirmed variety like our 1979 SBA, you’ll also need to invest serious effort in writing accurate, detailed descriptions that manage buyer expectations while still generating excitement.

The Advantage of High-Resolution Photography

One of the persistent challenges our forum contributor faced was capturing the mint mark clearly. In my experience, successful eBay coin sales hinge on photography. You’ll need a proper macro lens or zoom camera setup — not just a smartphone with digital zoom — to document subtle die characteristics. Forum members correctly noted that software zoom merely enlarges pixels, producing the grey blobs our collector shared. A quality camera with optical zoom, proper lighting (diffused LED or a light box), and a steady hand can make the difference between a sale and a frustrating “not as described” return.

Actionable takeaway: If you’re going to sell unusual or variety coins on eBay, invest at least $200–$400 in a decent macro setup before listing. The return is immediate in higher sale prices and fewer disputes.

Online Reputation and Feedback

Your eBay reputation is your currency. Positive feedback builds trust, and for numismatic items — where authenticity and accurate description are paramount — buyers rely heavily on seller ratings. A new seller listing a coin with an unconfirmed mint mark variety will face skepticism. I’ve seen too many listings for “possible die varieties” met with suspicion simply because the seller had no feedback history. Build your reputation gradually: start with common, well-documented coins, deliver pristine photography and descriptions, and then branch out to mystery varieties.

The Case for Selling at Coin Shows: Face-to-Face Authentication

Dealer Buy Prices and What to Expect

When you walk onto the bourse floor at a coin show, you’re entering a room full of professional dealers who buy and sell for a living. Their buy prices reflect their need to resell at a profit — and they know it. For a modern commemorative nickel like the 1979 SBA, expect dealer buy prices to hover around 30–50% of retail value. If the coin were in typical mint condition with no confirmed variety, a dealer might offer $5–$12. The unusual mint mark observation might add a small premium if the dealer shares your enthusiasm, but without authentication, many dealers will pass entirely or offer a nominal price.

Here’s the honest truth from my years on the bourse floor: dealer buy prices are negotiable, but anchored in market reality. A dealer who offers you $15 for a coin they can resell for $25 is already giving you a fair deal. Don’t confuse politeness with a lowball — dealers at shows respect collectors who know their coin’s numismatic value.

Coin Show Etiquette: How to Present Your Coin

Coin show etiquette is something every collector should master. Here are my guidelines for approaching a dealer with an unusual coin:

1. Have the coin already in a protective flip or holder. Never hand a bare coin directly to a dealer. Skin oils, moisture, and dirt can damage surfaces and reduce value instantly.
2. Bring your own high-quality photographs. If you can’t capture the mint mark clearly at home, prepare a small printed photo showing the area of interest. Dealers are busy — don’t make them squint at a blurry phone screen.
3. Be respectful of the dealer’s time. If the show floor is crowded, approach during quieter moments. Have a concise description ready: “This is a 1979 SBA wide rim nickel. I’m seeing what might be an unusual mint mark configuration. What are you willing to offer?”
4. Don’t take it personally if a dealer passes. Not every dealer is an expert on every series. Move on and try another table.
5. Bring a coin reference book. Knowing the mintage figures, known varieties, and market trends for your coin demonstrates seriousness and earns dealer respect.

Immediate Liquidity at Coin Shows

The single greatest advantage of selling at a coin show is immediate liquidity. You walk out with cash or a check in hand. No waiting for a buyer, no worrying about eBay’s holding period, no dealing with returns or disputes. For a collector who needs to fund another purchase or simply wants to convert a find into spendable money quickly, the coin show floor is unmatched. However, this convenience comes at the cost of the potentially higher retail price you might achieve through an eBay auction with the right bidding audience.

Authentication Risks: Why They Matter for Your Selling Strategy

Let’s return to our 1979 SBA nickel with the unconfirmed “P over S” mint mark. This is the crux of the selling dilemma. On eBay, an unconfirmed variety listing will attract both genuine collectors and skeptics. You’ll need to be transparent in your description: “Unconfirmed mint mark variety. Not verified by PCGS or NGC. Photos provided show possible over mint mark. Buyer assumes risk.” This kind of disclosure protects you legally but may limit your buyer pool to the adventurous or the curious.

At a coin show, you can hold the coin in front of multiple experts simultaneously. A panel of three dealers can give you an instant consensus — or confirm what we already suspect, that the “P over S” is likely an artifact of die polish, toning, or optical illusion. I’ve examined countless coins under magnification at shows, and I can tell you that the in-person experience with proper lighting and a stereo microscope reveals details that no photograph can match. The luster, the patina, the subtle flow of the strike — these things speak differently when you’re inches away from the surface. If you’re genuinely uncertain about what you’ve found, a coin show is the better venue for diagnosis before you attempt any sale.

Building a Selling Strategy Around Your Find

Step 1: Get Proper Documentation

Before selling anything — especially a coin with an unusual characteristic — document it thoroughly. Take high-resolution photos from multiple angles using optical zoom. Write down the coin’s date, mint mark (if confirmed), denomination, metal composition (clad for post-1965 U.S. nickels: copper-nickel over copper core), and any visible varieties. Compare it against known variety databases maintained by PCGS, NGC, and VAM (Variety Plus) for Morgan and Peace dollars. This documentation becomes part of the coin’s provenance — a record that adds legitimacy and long-term collectibility.

Step 2: Get Multiple Opinions

As our forum discussion illustrated, online communities can be invaluable for preliminary assessment. But remember: forum opinions are informal and non-binding. For a coin you believe might have genuine variety significance, consider submitting it to PCGS or NGC for authentication and grading. A confirmed variety designation by a major third-party grading service transforms an unconfirmed curiosity into a documented collectible with real market value.

Step 3: Choose Your Venue Strategically

Based on everything I’ve outlined, here’s my recommendation matrix:

• Sell on eBay if: You have high-quality photos, accurate descriptions, positive seller feedback, and the coin has a confirmed or highly probable variety that will attract competitive bidding.
• Sell at a coin show if: You need immediate cash, the coin is in common condition without a confirmed variety, or you want expert in-person assessment before committing to an online listing.
• Do both if: You get a dealer’s opinion at a show, learn more about the coin’s market, and then list it online with better information and photography.

The Bigger Picture: Hobby, Profit, and the Joy of Discovery

I want to address something I noticed in our forum thread that resonated with me deeply. Our collector — an older gentleman with poor eyesight — wrote with humility and grace about his love of searching for coin oddities despite his limitations. He said, “I can’t see them without it. I hope it makes you feel superior when you poke fun at me. Or, at least you are entertained. I’ll just keep trying to learn.” That sentiment captures the heart of numismatics better than any textbook I’ve ever read.

The joy of finding something unusual in a pocket change roll, under a microscope, with your own two hands — that’s irreplaceable. Whether you sell on eBay for the maximum possible price or take your find to a coin show dealer for a fair but modest sum, the real value lies in the knowledge gained, the community shared, and the thrill of the hunt. But if you’re going to sell, do it smartly. Know your fees, know your audience, know your coin, and always — always — take better photographs than you think you need.

Conclusion: The Collectibility and Historical Significance of the 1979 SBA Nickel

The 1979-S Small Business Administration nickel occupies a meaningful niche in modern U.S. numismatics. Struck at the San Francisco Mint and bearing the “S” mint mark, these coins were part of a series of commemorative issues in the late 1970s and early 1980s that reflected America’s growing interest in niche collecting and the intersection of commerce and coinage. The wide rim variety adds a layer of typological interest for collectors who specialize in die variations and mint mark positioning.

As for the unconfirmed “P over S” mint mark observation — whether it represents a genuine die variety, an optical illusion, or a minting anomaly — remains an open question. No authenticated P-over-S mint mark variety has been documented in any major U.S. coin series to my knowledge. If such a variety were ever confirmed on a 1979 SBA nickel, it would be a significant discovery warranting formal documentation by variety specialists and likely a substantial premium in any authenticated, graded example.

For now, this coin remains what it has always been: a fascinating curiosity, a conversation starter, and a reminder that in numismatics, the mystery is often just as valuable as the answer. Sell it wisely, study it thoroughly, and never stop looking closely at the coins in your hand.

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