Coin & Currency

Assisting with Estates, Conservatorships, insurance inventories, storage, grading & sale preparation.

Don't rush to sell. Get an independent opinion from Sioux Collective first. My focus is using my skills as a lifelong hobbyist to help you with your collection, not as a dealer.

If you are selling a car or house, wouldn't you check around first and understand what you have before you sell? If you would consult with a realtor to sell your house, or Kelley Blue Book for a car, why would even consider taking your coins to a dealer without having great information? Plus, I can give you tips on how to prepare your collection for sale or family distribution, if that is your goal.

Estates: Over the years I have witnessed situations where heirs are not treated fairly (e.g., there are 25 silver dollars, and 5 kids, and one gets the 1893-S Morgan silver dollar worth $10,000 in their group of 5 coins because no one took the time to determine what it was). Note also that Stepped-up basis applies to coin / collections similar to farm ground, please discuss with your CPA or tax professional. See also this: "Publication 551 (12/2025), Basis of Assets | Internal Revenue Service".

Conservatorships and insurance inventories: I provide thorough inventorying services. Coin and currency collections are typically not covered under standard insurance policies and usually require a separate "rider." Having experienced a major fire, I am really good at inventories (we lost 4,112 items in our 2022 fire) and can assure you the best time to do an inventory before a loss, and not after.

Storage: From putting coins in a rock tumbler to cleaning them just before bringing them in for sale, I have heard it all. A cleaned coin is almost always worth a fraction of its original condition. It's called toning, not tarnish! I can help put your coins in holders, and there are certain coins that should be sent in for grading. Coins and currency are highly susceptible to fire damage, theft, water damage and tornado loss - they must be properly stored. A safe deposit box in a bank is best. A fireproof safe is 2nd best. I keep mine at the bank in a safe deposit box. Never, ever clean coins, even with soap and water. Always leave them in their natural state.

Grading: If a coin is raw and graded by a dealer or another hobbyist, I can give you an idea if it's solid for the grade. I may recommend that you send it in for certification, also known as slabbing, (I prefer NGC or PCGS) and can assist you with that process. If it is already "slabbed", I can discuss with you a potential "re-slab or crossover" or CAC certification (also known as green bean).

Sales: I have heard stories where someone inherits a collection and sells for a fraction of value. I have overheard this statement at shops and shows: "I don't know what I have, can you tell me?". That's an invitation to receive a low offer. This problem is not new:

“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—then goes off and boasts about the purchase. Proverbs 20:14

"The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller not one." George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum (1640)

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest" Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth (1780)

I bring a clear-eyed view, and do not have a vested interest. The cost for my services is reasonable, will give you peace of mind, and should easily help you get more for your collection. I can help line up a sale and determine what is the best way to sell your collection if that is your goal. There are strategies for where to sell too, and I can help. No commissions. I am fee based. My initial consult is free (via phone, FaceTime or in person), and after that it's a modest per hour price, to the nearest 10-minute interval. May charge mileage depending on distance.

Rates:

• Free initial 15–30 minute consultation (phone, FaceTime, or in-person).

• Paid consultation: Reasonable per hour rates (billed to the nearest 10 minutes).

• For larger projects (full estate inventories, extensive collections, etc.), I can provide a custom flat-fee quote after the initial consult.

• Mileage for in-person visits, depending on your location.

Most clients find the consultation pays for itself many times over by avoiding costly mistakes, stress and conflicts with sales, insurance, or family distributions.

Providing inventorying, documentation, preservation, and appraisal / valuation consultation for coin and currency collectors in NW Iowa (and surrounding area).

Valuation Services

Assessments of your collection with a clear and clean motive, ensuring fair division and proper insurance coverage.

Consultation Services

Free initial consultations to guide you through the complexities of coin and currency collection.

Expert advice on proper storage and care to maintain the value of your collection.

Coins and currency should be insured and kept in a safe deposit box.

Sioux Collective, LLC

Sam Kooiker, sam@siouxcollective.com

Sheldon, Iowa