Where to Get the Best Price for Your Off-Center Error Coins: 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 who has spent over two decades handling everything from minor die clashes to dramatic off-center strikes, I can tell you that the question of where to sell is just as important as what you’re selling. And when it comes to error coins — particularly off-center pieces — the stakes are even higher because the market is more specialized and the grading nuances more subjective.

Recently, a forum thread caught my eye. A collector posted images of a coin and asked, “Would you consider this piece as off center?” The responses were fascinating — and they perfectly illustrate why understanding the selling venue matters so much for error coin collectors. The consensus among experienced numismatists was a resounding no: the coin was not off-center. The dies were not perfectly centered on the blank, but the devices were intact, the denticles were only partially obscured, and the strike fell within the normal tolerance of the era’s minting technology. One collector noted that for early federal quarters and halves, you’d typically expect at least 60% of the dentils to be missing before calling a coin “off-center.” Another pointed out that Larry Briggs and J.T. Stanton (of the Cherry Pickers’ Guide fame) agreed that a coin must have missing devices to qualify as a true off-center strike.

This discussion is a perfect springboard for exploring the world of selling error coins. Whether you have a genuine off-center strike or a coin with minor misalignment, your choice between eBay and a coin show bourse floor will determine your bottom line. Let me break it down from the perspective of someone who sells on both platforms every week.

Understanding What You’re Selling: The Off-Center Coin Market

Before we talk about selling, let’s talk about what actually constitutes an off-center coin — because misidentification is one of the biggest profit killers in this niche.

What Makes a Coin “Off-Center”?

In my experience grading error coins, the numismatic community has a fairly consistent standard. A coin is considered off-center when the strike is displaced enough that devices (design elements) are visibly missing from the obverse or reverse. Here’s the general framework:

• Minor misalignment: The die is not perfectly centered on the planchet, but all design elements are present. This is not an off-center error — it’s normal mint tolerance.
• Moderate off-center strike (5–15%): Some design elements are clipped, but the date and major devices are still visible. These have modest collector appeal.
• Significant off-center strike (15–50%+): A substantial portion of the design is missing, but the date is visible. These are the sweet spot for error collectors.
• Dramatic off-center strike (50%+): More than half the design is gone. These command serious premiums, especially on older issues.

The forum discussion highlighted an important nuance: collars matter. As one collector noted, the U.S. Mint used wide closed collars for Capped Bust and earlier series (half dimes, dimes, quarters), which imparted edge reeding and allowed for more tolerance in centering. Before 1828, collars as we know them weren’t even used. So a slightly misaligned early American coin might be perfectly normal — not an error at all.

Why This Matters for Selling

If you misidentify a normal-strike coin as an off-center error and list it as such, you’ll waste time, money, and credibility. Conversely, if you have a genuine off-center coin and don’t understand its value, you might sell it for a fraction of what it’s worth. Knowing the difference is your first step to maximizing profit — and it directly affects which selling venue will serve you best.

eBay: The Global Marketplace for Error Coins

eBay has transformed the way error coins are bought and sold. When I first started selling online in the early 2000s, finding a buyer for a 10% off-center Lincoln cent meant waiting for the right collector to walk up to your bourse table. Now, that same coin can reach thousands of eyeballs within hours. But eBay comes with its own set of challenges.

eBay Fees: The Hidden Cost of Online Selling

Let’s talk numbers, because this is where many sellers get burned. eBay’s fee structure has changed significantly in recent years, and understanding it is essential to calculating your net profit.

As of 2024, here’s what you’re looking at:

• Insertion fees: Generally free for up to 250 listings per month; after that, $0.35 per listing.
• Final value fees: Approximately 13.25% of the total sale amount (item price + shipping + sales tax) for most collectibles categories. For coins specifically, this can vary, but budget for the full percentage.
• Payment processing fees: If you use eBay’s managed payments (which is now standard), you’re looking at an additional 2.35% + $0.25 per transaction.
• Promoted listing fees (optional): If you want to boost visibility, you’ll pay an additional ad rate (typically 2–10% of the sale price).

The real-world impact: If you sell an off-center Mercury dime for $150 on eBay, your total fees could easily reach $25–$30. That’s roughly 17–20% of your gross sale gone before you’ve even shipped the coin. On a $50 error coin, the percentage is even higher because the fixed $0.25 transaction fee represents a larger slice.

Compare that to a coin show, where your only costs are table rental (typically $75–$300 for a day, depending on the show) and your time. If you sell $2,000 worth of coins at a show where you paid $150 for a table, your overhead is just 7.5% — and you pocket the rest.

Building Online Reputation: Your Most Valuable eBay Asset

Here’s where eBay shines for error coin sellers: reputation. Over years of consistent selling, I’ve built a feedback profile that tells buyers I know what I’m doing. For error coins especially, trust is paramount. Collectors want to know that when you list a coin as “25% off-center, date visible,” that’s exactly what they’re getting.

Key elements of a strong eBay reputation for error coin dealers:

1. Accurate photography: High-resolution images from multiple angles, including edge shots. For off-center coins, show the full obverse and reverse with a ruler or reference guide if possible.
2. Honest descriptions: State the approximate percentage of off-center strike, whether the date is visible, and note any additional errors (double dies, clips, etc.).
3. Consistent grading language: Use terms the community recognizes. Don’t call a coin “off-center” if it’s just misaligned — you’ll get returns and negative feedback.
4. Fast shipping and professional packaging: A coin in a flip inside a padded envelope with tracking goes a long way.
5. Responsive customer service: Answer questions quickly. Error coin buyers often have specific questions about the strike, the collar, and the die state.

Once you’ve built that reputation, you can command higher prices. My repeat buyers pay a premium because they trust my listings — they know the luster and eye appeal I capture in photos accurately reflect the coin in hand. That trust is worth more than any fee savings.

Liquidity on eBay: Speed vs. Price

eBay offers unmatched liquidity. If you need to sell an off-center coin today, an auction starting at $0.99 with a 7-day duration can generate a sale within a week. For common off-center errors (Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, state quarters), this works well because there’s a large buyer pool.

But for rarer off-center coins — say, a Bust half dollar with a genuine 30% off-center strike — the auction format can actually hurt you. General eBay buyers don’t know what that coin is worth, and you might end up selling it for far less than a specialist dealer would pay. In these cases, a fixed-price listing with a “best offer” option or a sale through a dedicated error coin forum might be more profitable.

Coin Shows: The Traditional Bourse Floor Experience

There’s something irreplaceable about a coin show. The smell of old cardboard flips, the sound of dealers negotiating across tables, the thrill of finding a pickup in a box of $2 bins — it’s the heartbeat of this hobby. But as a selling venue, coin shows come with their own set of rules and realities.

Dealer Buy Prices: What to Expect

Here’s the hard truth that every collector needs to understand: dealers at coin shows will typically offer you 50–70% of retail value for your coins. Sometimes less. This isn’t because dealers are greedy — it’s because they need to make a profit when they resell, and they’re taking on the risk of holding inventory.

For error coins specifically, dealer buy prices can vary wildly based on:

• The dealer’s specialty: A dealer who specializes in errors will pay more for an off-center coin than a generalist who mostly handles type coins.
• Current inventory: If the dealer already has three off-center Mercury dimes on their table, they’ll offer less for yours.
• Market demand: Off-center Morgan silver dollars and early American coins are hot right now. Off-center modern clad coins? Not so much.
• Grade and eye appeal: A coin in mint condition with a visible date and original luster will command a much higher buy price than a worn example with dull patina.

In my experience, a dealer might offer $40–$60 for an off-center Mercury dime that would sell for $100–$150 on eBay. That’s a significant spread. But the dealer is paying you cash (or check) on the spot, with no fees, no shipping, and no risk of a buyer claiming the item wasn’t as described.

Coin Show Etiquette: How to Get the Best Offer

Walking up to a dealer’s table with a coin and asking “What will you give me for this?” is the least effective way to get a good price. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Do your homework before the show. Know what your coin is worth. Check recent eBay sold listings, Heritage auction results, and price guides. If you can say, “I’ve seen these sell for $120–$150 in this condition,” the dealer will take you more seriously.
2. Timing matters. Early in the morning, dealers are fresh and have cash. Late in the day, they may have spent their buying budget. The sweet spot is usually mid-morning.
3. Be respectful of the dealer’s time. If they’re negotiating with another customer, wait. Don’t interrupt. Dealers remember who was courteous and who wasn’t.
4. Bring your coins in proper holders. A coin in a 2×2 flip with a handwritten label tells the dealer you’re serious. A coin loose in your pocket tells them you’re a casual seller who doesn’t know the market.
5. Shop around. Get offers from at least three dealers before selling. The first offer is rarely the best. At a large show with 100+ dealers, you might find a 30–50% spread between the highest and lowest offers.
6. Don’t argue with a dealer’s offer. If they say no, thank them and move on. Burning bridges at a show is a bad move — especially if you’re a regular.

The Relationship Factor

One thing eBay can’t replicate is the personal relationship between a collector and a dealer. I’ve been buying from the same dealers at shows for 15 years. They know my eye, they know my standards, and they call me when something comes in that fits my inventory. If you’re a regular at shows and you bring quality material, dealers will give you better prices because they know you’re not going to waste their time with cleaned coins or misattributed errors.

This relationship works both ways. Dealers who trust you will hold coins for you, give you first pick at new inventory, and offer you better buy prices because they know you’re fair and knowledgeable. That sense of provenance — knowing a coin came from a trusted source — adds real value to every transaction.

Head-to-Head Comparison: eBay vs. Coin Shows

Let’s put it all together with a side-by-side comparison for selling an off-center coin. I’ll use a realistic example: a 1943 Mercury dime, 15% off-center, date visible, XF-AU condition — a coin with genuine collectibility thanks to its wartime provenance.

The numbers clearly favor eBay for the seller — if you have the time, skills, and reputation to maximize your sale price. But for collectors who need quick cash or who don’t want to deal with the hassle of online selling, coin shows offer a reliable, low-effort alternative.

When to Choose eBay Over Coin Shows (and Vice Versa)

After years of selling on both platforms, here’s my rule of thumb:

Sell on eBay When:

• You have a genuine, significant off-center coin (15%+ with visible date) that will attract competitive bidding.
• You have strong photography skills and can present the coin’s eye appeal attractively.
• You have an established eBay reputation with positive feedback in the error coin category.
• You’re not in a hurry and can wait 1–2 weeks for the auction to close and payment to clear.
• The coin has additional desirable attributes (a rare variety, rare date, high grade) that will drive up the numismatic value.
• You’re selling multiple error coins and can amortize your listing time across several items.

Sell at a Coin Show When:

• You need cash quickly and can’t wait for an online sale to complete.
• The coin is a minor error or misalignment (not a dramatic off-center strike) that might not attract enough online bidders.
• You’re selling a large collection and want to move everything in one day.
• You have a relationship with a dealer who specializes in errors and will give you a fair price.
• You want to avoid eBay fees and the risk of returns or disputes.
• The coin is common date, lower grade, and the eBay fees would eat too much of your margin.

Hybrid Strategies: Getting the Best of Both Worlds

The smartest sellers I know don’t choose one venue — they use both strategically. Here are some hybrid approaches that work well for error coins:

1. List on eBay, but set a reserve. If the bidding doesn’t meet your minimum, you haven’t lost anything. You can then take the coin to a show and use the eBay bidding history as leverage in negotiations.
2. Use eBay sold data to negotiate at shows. Show a dealer your phone with recent comparable sales. A dealer who sees that off-center Mercury dimes in XF have been selling for $100+ on eBay will think twice before lowballing you.
3. Sell common errors at shows, rare ones on eBay. A 5% off-center Lincoln cent isn’t worth the eBay fees. A 40% off-center Bust quarter absolutely is.
4. Build your eBay inventory at coin shows. Buy low at the bourse, sell high online. This is the classic dealer model, and it works beautifully for error coins because show dealers often undervalue them — especially when the strike is dramatic but the dealer doesn’t specialize in errors.

The Importance of Accurate Identification

I want to come back to where we started: the forum thread about whether a coin was off-center. This matters enormously for selling. If you list a coin on eBay as “off-center” when it’s actually just misaligned, you’ll get returns, negative feedback, and potentially a defect on your seller account. If you try to sell a misaligned coin as an off-center error to a dealer at a show, you’ll damage your reputation and lose a valuable buying source.

The numismatic community’s standard is clear: a coin needs missing devices to be considered off-center. Partial denticles alone don’t make it. The die alignment can be imperfect, but if the full design is present, it’s a normal strike — not an error. This is especially true for early American coins struck before 1828, when wide closed collars allowed for significant centering tolerance.

Before you sell any error coin, do your homework. Consult references like the Cherry Pickers’ Guide, post images on forums for community input, and if possible, have the coin authenticated by a reputable grading service. PCGS and NGC both authenticate error coins, and a certified off-center coin — one with documented provenance and verified collectibility — will sell for a significant premium over an uncertified one.

Conclusion: Know Your Coin, Know Your Market

The decision between eBay and coin shows isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on the specific coin, your timeline, your skill level, and your relationships within the hobby. But the common thread — the thing that will maximize your profit in any venue — is knowledge.

Know what you have. Understand the difference between a true off-center strike and normal mint tolerance. Research comparable sales. Build your reputation, whether that’s on eBay or at your local coin show. And never stop learning — the error coin market is constantly evolving, with new rare varieties being discovered and new collectors entering the hobby every day.

That forum thread about the off-center coin? It’s a perfect example of the community at work — experienced collectors sharing knowledge, citing authorities like Larry Briggs and J.T. Stanton, and helping each other get it right. That’s what makes this hobby great. And whether you’re selling on eBay or at a bourse floor, that same spirit of knowledge-sharing will make you a better seller and a better collector.

The bottom line: For a genuine, significant off-center coin with strong eye appeal and solid numismatic value, eBay will almost always net you more money — but it requires more effort, more skill, and more patience. For quick cash, common errors, or coins with minor misalignment, a coin show is your best bet. The smartest collectors use both, strategically, to maximize their returns. And above all, make sure you know what you’re selling before you sell it.

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