Spotting the Difference: Proof vs. Business Strike MEDAL MONDAY – How Experts Tell Them Apart
October 25, 2026Photography Masterclass: Capturing the Cartwheel Luster of the Henry Clay Gold Medal and 1904 Silver Award Medal
October 25, 2026
Where you sell matters just as much as what you sell. The medium you choose—whether digital auctions or physical dealer floors—can drastically impact your net profit. Let’s compare the modern digital market to traditional dealer bourse floors. As an online coin dealer who has spent years navigating both the digital auction houses and the physical aisles of numismatic conventions, I have seen firsthand how the medium changes the message—and the margin. Today, we are taking a closer look at the world of US Mint medals, exploring the mechanics of the “MEDAL MONDAY” post, and dissecting whether you should list your numismatic treasures on eBay or bring them to a coin show.
The Digital Frontier: eBay Fees and Building Online Reputation
In the digital realm, eBay remains the undisputed titan of online numismatic sales, but its fee structure is a double-edged sword. Sellers must contend with insertion fees, final value fees, and increasingly, category-specific listing fees. When you list a premium piece like the 2.5 oz US Army Silver Medal (Matte Finish, 2″ OD, Plain Edge, USM SKU: S22ME, Mintage: 10,000, Issue Price: $175.00), ensuring the strike and luster meet mint condition standards is vital. Are the strike details crisp? Is the enamel integral to the design clearly visible? If your listing reads like a generic “buy now,” you will lose bids to competitors who provide PCGS-grade imagery. Your reputation is your currency; one bad review from a dissatisfied buyer can tank your future sales. On eBay, you must work twice as hard to earn twice the margin compared to the instant gratification of a coin show floor.
The Dealer Bourse Floor: Coin Show Etiquette and Dealer Buy Prices
Walking the dealer floor of a major coin show is a completely different animal. Here, the etiquette is paramount. Dealers are evaluating hundreds of lots daily; touching another dealer’s display without permission is a cardinal sin. You must approach tables with confidence but remain respectful. When you present a piece, let the dealer do the talking, and never demand a price that assumes you know their buy price.
For a rare variety like the Henry Clay medal—struck in pure California gold, measuring a massive 3.5 inches in diameter and approximately half an inch thick, containing nearly 30 ounces of gold—dies engraved by Charles Cushing Wright represent the pinnacle of American medallic art. While an eBay seller might list this at a premium based on retail value, a dealer buying it from a booth might offer a substantial discount off the retail price, knowing they can flip it for a quick profit or hold it for a future collector. Coin shows offer the ultimate liquidity for high-end numismatic items, allowing you to walk away with cash in hand rather than waiting weeks for an eBay buyer to pay.
Liquidity: The Ultimate Sales Metric
Liquidity is the lifeblood of any numismatic sale. On eBay, liquidity is vast but shallow. You are competing against thousands of other sellers, and the average transaction takes days to close. If you list an Indian Peace Medal for Millard Fillmore, or the bronze and silver duplicates of the Rabbi Schneerson Congressional Medal—finding yourself holding duplicate copies of the silver version, only to have several suddenly appear on the bay at once!—your success depends on finding a buyer willing to wait for shipping and insurance costs.
At a coin show, liquidity is concentrated and immediate. Dealers bring cash, and the market clears instantly. For items like the 1852 DeWitt Win. Scott brass token (WS-1852-12, Pierced Major Gen. Win. Scott), which is listed as a Civil War token and struck on copper cent planchets with a reeded edge, a coin show allows you to gauge dealer interest in real-time. You can see their reaction, hear their gut assessment of the rarity, and close the deal on the spot. The Great Central Fair medalette, put together by Longacre and sold as a fundraiser for Union relief causes, is a Rarity-1 and very easy to acquire—but if you want the absolute best price, the show floor is where you want to find the buyer.
Technical Nuances: Mint Marks, Compositions, and Grading Markers
As a dealer, I cannot overstate the importance of technical accuracy when selling medals. The forum discussions highlighted some fascinating minting nuances. For instance, many early US Mint medals feature a “S” mintmark below the dates, indicating they were struck at the San Francisco Mint. However, as noted in our forum, sometime in the 2000s, some medals were struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a mintmark. When selling these, the absence of the mintmark can drastically alter the perceived numismatic value and collectibility.
Furthermore, metal composition dictates the grading and pricing. The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Medal (H-30-50, PCGS #804837, Bronze, 67.3mm, Square, Raw) is a fascinating piece. It features allegorical figures of Columbia and Louisiana on the obverse, with an eagle over a commemorative tablet on the reverse, flanked by two dolphins. Because it is “Raw” (uncertified), it sits below certified grades like MS70, but its square design and historical context still command a premium. Similarly, the 1970 P Weather Services Centennial National Commemorative Medal—using a mint mark on a medal—shows how even modern commemoratives require precise attribution. When listing these on eBay, you must specify the PCGS number, the metal composition, and the VAM (Variety Attribute Module) if applicable. At a coin show, a dealer can physically inspect the strike, the die polish, and the planchet preparation—details that cannot be fully communicated via a standard eBay listing photo.
Actionable Takeaways for the Modern Numismatist
To maximize your net profit when selling US Mint medals, follow these strategic steps:
- Analyze Your True Net Profit: Calculate your actual net profit on eBay after all insertion, final value, and payment processing fees. If the math doesn’t work out to beat a coin show price by a healthy margin, list it.
- Showcase Your Item Properly: Use high-resolution, natural lighting photography. Clearly state the PCGS grade, metal composition, and specific attributes (e.g., “Square design,” “Enamel integral to design,” “Wood grain planchet”). Buyers scrutinize your eye appeal before bidding.
- Prioritize the Show Floor: For premium, historically significant medals—such as the Henry Clay pure California gold medal, the Rabbi Schneerson Congressional Medal, or the Great Central Fair medalette—always prioritize the coin show floor. Dealer buy prices are often superior, and the immediate liquidity saves you from eBay’s prolonged wait times.
- Respect the Dealership Culture: At coin shows, maintain a professional distance. Never touch another dealer’s display. Be prepared to negotiate respectfully, knowing that the dealer’s buy price reflects the current market reality.
- Verify the Minting History: Always confirm the minting location. Was it struck at the SF Mint with an “S” mintmark, or the Philadelphia Mint without one? Knowing the exact mint facility adds immense credibility to your provenance and valuation.
Conclusion: The Collectibility and Historical Importance of Medals
Ultimately, whether you sell on eBay or at a coin show comes down to the specific item, your target audience, and your negotiation style. eBay is a marathon; it rewards patience, stellar presentation, and robust online reputation. Coin shows are a sprint; they reward knowledge, quick cash, and an intimate understanding of dealer buy prices.
The medals discussed in this “MEDAL MONDAY” thread represent a rich tapestry of American history. From Abraham Lincoln’s eulogy honoring Henry Clay as “my ideal of a great man,” to the monumental 3.5-inch pure California gold Clay medal, to the solemn Rabbi Schneerson Congressional Medal, these items are not just objects—they are artifacts of a nation’s heritage. The Pan-American Exposition medal, struck on exhibit grounds, captures the spirit of a nation expanding its global reach. Even the 2.5 oz Army Silver Medal stands as a testament to military valor.
By understanding the nuances of both venues—mastering eBay’s fee structure and photography requirements, while respecting the etiquette and liquidity of the dealer floor—you position yourself to get the best possible price for your numismatic treasures. Choose your venue wisely, authenticate rigorously, and always remember: in numismatics, the story of the coin is just as important as the price tag.
Remember, a great medal is history made tangible. Whether you are striking coins or selling them, the legacy of the US Mint lives on in every piece you handle.
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