Where to Get the Best Price for Modern Commemorative Medallions: eBay or Coin Shows?

The venue you choose to sell your item can drastically affect your net profit. Let’s compare the modern digital market to traditional dealer bourse floors.

As an online coin dealer with over two decades of experience, I’ve watched the landscape of numismatics shift dramatically. The rise of eBay, the decline of local coin shops, and the evolution of the traditional coin show have created a complex ecosystem for both buyers and sellers. When it comes to selling modern commemorative medallions—like the recent Trump/UFC “Freedom 250” gold and silver series—the decision of where to list your item is more critical than ever.

The Rise of the Digital Bourse: eBay and Online Marketplaces

For many collectors, eBay is the first and last stop for buying and selling. Its reach is unparalleled, connecting you with millions of potential buyers worldwide. But this reach comes at a cost—both financially and in terms of effort.

The True Cost of eBay Fees

When you sell on eBay, you’re not just paying a listing fee. The platform’s fee structure is a layered system that can significantly eat into your margins. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re up against:

• Insertion Fees: While often waived for basic listings, these can add up if you’re running multiple auctions or using premium listing features like “Buy It Now” or subtitle descriptions.
• Final Value Fees: This is the big one. eBay takes a percentage of the total sale price, including shipping and handling. For most collectibles, this hovers around 13–15%, but it can be higher depending on your category and seller status.
• Payment Processing Fees: If you use eBay’s managed payments system (which is now standard), you’ll pay an additional percentage plus a per-transaction fee. This is on top of the final value fee.
• Promoted Listing Fees: To get your item seen in a sea of millions, you’ll likely need to “promote” your listing, paying an additional ad rate on top of everything else.

For a high-value item like an $11,999.99 gold medallion, these fees can easily total over $1,500. That’s a significant chunk of change that comes straight off your bottom line before you’ve even shipped the item.

Building and Maintaining Online Reputation

Your reputation on eBay is your currency. A seller with 99.8% positive feedback and thousands of transactions will command a higher price and more trust than a new seller with a handful of ratings. Building this reputation takes years of consistent, honest dealing.

For high-value modern medals, buyers are particularly cautious. They want to see:

• Detailed, high-resolution photos from multiple angles.
• Clear descriptions of the item’s condition, weight, and composition.
• Proof of authenticity, such as the original packaging or a certificate of authenticity.
• A track record of selling similar items.

One negative review or a single dispute can tank your reputation and your sales for months. The pressure to maintain perfection is constant.

The Traditional Bourse: Coin Shows and Dealer-to-Dealer Sales

Stepping onto a coin show floor is a different world. The pace is faster, the negotiations are face-to-face, and the relationships are built on handshakes and trust developed over years. For selling modern commemorative medallions, the bourse offers a unique set of advantages and challenges.

Understanding Dealer Buy Prices

This is the most critical concept to grasp when selling at a coin show. A dealer’s “buy price” is not the same as the “retail price” you see online. Dealers need to make a margin to cover their overhead, their time, and the risk of holding inventory.

For a modern, privately minted medallion like the Trump/UFC piece, you should expect a dealer to offer a significant discount off the original issue price. Why? Because:

• Liquidity Risk: These items are often “hot” for a short period and then cool off rapidly. A dealer who buys it today might be sitting on it for years.
• Market Saturation: If the mintage is open-ended (as forum members noted about the Trump/UFC series), the market can be flooded, driving down the secondary market value.
• Authentication Concerns: Even with an NGC PF70 grade, dealers know that modern commemoratives can be restuck or have quality control issues. They factor this risk into their offer.

As one forum member, CaptHenway, famously quipped, he’d buy such an item at “80% of scrap gold value.” While this was likely a tongue-in-cheek comment, it highlights the reality that for many modern medals, the numismatic premium can be thin or non-existent. A dealer’s offer will reflect the item’s value as a collectible, not just its melt value.

Coin Show Etiquette: How to Get the Best Offer

Walking up to a dealer’s table and slapping down a medallion isn’t the best strategy. Here’s how to navigate the bourse floor like a pro:

1. Do Your Homework: Know what similar items have sold for. Check recent eBay “sold” listings, Heritage Auctions, and other price guides. Walk in with a realistic expectation.
2. Be Prepared to Walk Away: Dealers respect sellers who know their item’s value. If the first offer is too low, thank them and move on. You can always come back.
3. Build Relationships: If you’re a regular at shows, dealers will remember you. They’re more likely to give a fair price to someone they know and trust.
4. Timing is Everything: The first day of a show is often the best time to sell, as dealers are fresh and have cash. By the last day, their pockets may be lighter.
5. Presentation Matters: Have your item in a clean, presentable holder. If it’s graded, make sure the label is clean and legible. A well-presented item signals that you’re a serious seller.

Liquidity: The Speed of the Sale

One of the biggest differences between eBay and coin shows is the speed at which you can convert your item into cash.

eBay: The Waiting Game

On eBay, you’re at the mercy of the auction cycle. A standard auction runs for 7 days. Then you have to wait for the buyer to pay, which can take another few days. If the buyer doesn’t pay, you have to open an unpaid item case, wait for it to resolve, and then relist. The entire process can take 2–3 weeks, even in a best-case scenario.

For high-value items, you might opt for a “Buy It Now” listing, but then you’re waiting for the right buyer to come along. There’s no guarantee of a quick sale.

Coin Shows: Cash in Hand

At a coin show, the transaction is immediate. You negotiate a price, the dealer counts out the cash (or writes a check), and you walk away. There’s no waiting for payment, no risk of a buyer backing out, and no shipping hassles.

This immediacy is a huge advantage, especially if you need to free up capital quickly or if you’re concerned about market volatility affecting the price of gold or silver.

The Hybrid Approach: Using Both Channels

In my experience, the most successful sellers use a combination of both eBay and coin shows. Here’s a strategy I recommend:

1. Start on eBay: List your item at a price you’d be happy with. Give it 1–2 auction cycles. If it sells, great—you’ve maximized your profit.
2. Take the Remainder to a Show: If your eBay listing doesn’t sell, or if you have multiple pieces, take them to the next major coin show. Use the eBay “sold” comps to justify your asking price to dealers.
3. Negotiate from a Position of Strength: If a dealer knows you have other options (like relisting on eBay), they may be more willing to meet your price.

Case Study: The Trump/UFC “Freedom 250” Medallion

Let’s apply this framework to the item that sparked the forum discussion. The Trump/UFC “Freedom 250” medallion is a privately minted, officially licensed commemorative. It’s available in both gold and silver, with the 1 oz gold version priced at $11,999.99.

Key factors to consider when selling this item:

• Mintage: As forum members pointed out, there is no publicly disclosed, capped mintage. This is a red flag for collectors who value scarcity. An open-ended mintage means the market could be flooded, suppressing secondary market prices.
• Grading: The medallions are being marketed as NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo. While a PF70 grade is the highest possible, the forum discussion raised questions about the integrity of grading modern commemoratives. Some members joked that they should be graded XF45/47 instead, highlighting the skepticism surrounding these items.
• Design: The portrait on the medallion was compared to Donald Fagen of Steely Dan fame, rather than Donald Trump. While this is a humorous observation, it underscores the importance of design quality in determining long-term collectibility.
• Dealer Interest: The forum thread revealed that many dealers and collectors are skeptical of the item’s value. One dealer offered to buy at 80% of scrap gold value, while another countered at 81%. This suggests that the numismatic premium is minimal, and the item’s value is closely tied to its gold content.

Given these factors, here’s my recommendation for selling the Trump/UFC medallion:

• eBay: If you’re going to sell on eBay, target the right audience. List in both the “Coins & Paper Money” and “Collectibles” categories. Use keywords like “Trump,” “UFC,” “gold medallion,” and “NGC PF70.” Be prepared for a longer sales cycle and higher fees.
• Coin Shows: At a coin show, focus on dealers who specialize in modern commemoratives or bullion. Don’t expect to get anywhere near the original issue price. A realistic target might be 85–90% of the current gold spot price, plus a small premium for the NGC holder.
• Alternative Channels: Consider selling through specialized online forums or Facebook groups dedicated to modern commemoratives. The audience there may be more receptive to the item’s novelty value.

Conclusion: The Best Venue Depends on Your Goals

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of where to sell your modern commemorative medallions. The best venue depends on your priorities:

• If maximizing profit is your goal: eBay is likely your best bet, but be prepared to invest time in building your reputation, creating compelling listings, and absorbing the fees.
• If speed and convenience are your priority: A coin show offers immediate cash and a hassle-free transaction, but you’ll likely accept a lower price.
• If you’re unsure: Try the hybrid approach. List on eBay first, and if it doesn’t sell, take it to a show.

The Trump/UFC “Freedom 250” medallion is a fascinating case study in the modern commemorative market. Its open-ended mintage, high price tag, and polarizing design make it a challenging item to sell. But with the right strategy and realistic expectations, you can find the right buyer and get a fair price.

As always, do your research, know your market, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal that doesn’t feel right. Happy collecting!

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