| You may have bought and sold items, perhaps | | | | Photographing a coin is really not difficult with a |
| many items, on eBay. But have you ever sold | | | | digital camera. Use the Macro setting on your |
| coins? Gold coins? | | | | camera for the best close-up result. For best |
| Gold coins are generally among the more valuable | | | | color and no glare skip using the flash. Position |
| coins for sale on eBay. The sale of such a coin | | | | your light source (a lamp is fine) somewhat off to |
| should be rewarding for both buyer and seller. As | | | | the side of your coin. |
| the seller, you must focus on several key issues: | | | | It goes without saying (but I will say it anyway) |
| Pricing | | | | that the photos you submit with your listing |
| Know the grade (condition) of the coin you are | | | | should be of the actual coin you are selling rather |
| selling. Explain in your write-up the grading points | | | | than a generic photo of the type. |
| you used to arrive at the grade you have | | | | Description |
| assigned. One of the clearest reference books on | | | | Here is where you romance the sale! Beyond the |
| this subject (for US coins) is Photograde, by | | | | basic information about the coin type, date, and |
| James Ruddy. | | | | mint mark, you should include something of the |
| Next, research its market value. One way to do | | | | history of the coin and its type. Information about |
| this is to consult eBay listings. Be sure to use the | | | | the designer, the economic and political context, |
| Completed Listings checkbox to see what items | | | | and, for sea a salvage piece, circumstances of its |
| have recently sold for. Another resource is the | | | | loss and recovery. |
| auction results for gold coins published on major | | | | Remember to clearly state shipping and insurance |
| coin auction company websites. Coin collector | | | | fees, your payment preferences, and return |
| magazines and newspapers also publish lists of | | | | policy. |
| gold coin values. | | | | Monitoring the Auction |
| Set your starting bid well enough below the | | | | Once your listing is posted, stay aware of the |
| market value of the coin to attract the attention | | | | comments of potential buyers and the status of |
| of bidders, but high enough to avoid a bargain | | | | your listing through your eBay account. Do not |
| basement result. | | | | just post and forget. Be ready to answer any |
| Photos | | | | questions posed during the auction. In general, |
| A gold coin is an object of considerable visual | | | | remember the advice of Benjamin Franklin to Mind |
| appeal. Maximize this with decent photos. | | | | Your Business. |