Coin Auctions

One of the greatest adventures in numismatics is being able to participate or observe a major coin auction.  These events are usually held prior to the major coin shows held around the country each year and include the ANA Summer and Fall shows that move from city to city every year, the FUN Show held in Orlando, Florida every January, the Coin and Currency Show that takes place in Long Beach, California twice a year.  Slightly smaller shows and auctions are held in Baltimore, Chicago, New York among other cities.

The most important thing you can do if you are interested in attending an auction is the lot viewing that takes place a day or two prior to the actual auction.  You can sit for hours going through thousands of lots of amazing coins.  If you are thinking of bidding on a coin, make sure that you have inspected it very carefully prior to the sale, as most sales are final for auction attendees. Also, make sure you take into consideration the buyer?s premium that is usually tacked onto the high bid, usually ranging from ten to fifteen percent.

Some of the major auction houses include Heritage Coins out of Dallas, Stacks Coin Company from New York and Bowers and Merena Auctions out of Irvine, California.