Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 11/3/2009

Question
I've inherited several WWI era coins.  I'd like to have them appraised but can't find anyone in my town to offer me that without strong interest in purchasing.  Are there any books to learn about grading coins and identifying approximate worth on my own?  I'm worried about being told a coin is worth less than it's actual value.

Answer
Hi,
It's never a good idea to trust an estimate from someone that is looking to buy. You can find general grading guidelines as well as those for some specific countries by doing a Google search.
You can also find a copy of the Standard Catalog of World coins in most public libraries. This may not be the most recent version, but can at least give you a good idea of value.
Also worth noting, book values are not always accurate. Some coins sell for significantly less, while others sell for significantly more depending on local fluctuating economies.
You can also e-mail me clear pictures of both sides of your coins and I can grade and evaluate them for you. My e-mail is BetweenEarthnSky@yahoo.com.
My guess is that, since local dealers are so quick to try and buy them, you probably have something quite good.
Thanks for the question! =)