How to Sell Collectibles & Antiques – A Reseller’s Guide

Whether you’re into collecting or simply have a need to get rid of extra clutter at your house, you might be surprised by the value of your items.

Collectibles like comic books, coins, and others can fetch a hefty price, especially if you own an extensive set. 

If you’re not a collector, there’s a good chance you have some antiques on hand. This could be fine china passed down in the family, old jewels, or artwork. 

Traditionally, antiques and collectibles were bought and sold in pawn shops or thrift stores.

But with the advent of the internet, buying and selling collectibles is easier than ever. 

In this article, we’ll cover how to, and where to, sell collectibles — everything from figurines to antiques.

• What are the Best Collectibles & Antiques to Sell
• Where to Buy Collectibles & Antiques to Resell
• How to Find the Value of Your Collectibles
• Where to Sell Your Collectibles Online

What are the Best & Easiest Collectibles & Antiques to Sell

While you can earn cash from selling almost anything in your house, some kinds of antiques and collectibles are more in demand.

In this section, we’ll review some great types of collectibles that are easier to sell for a good value.

If you don’t have any of these items at home, you can always look at local places down below to buy antiques.

Comic Books

Many people have some old comic books lying around somewhere in their house. Newer comic books are very common and won’t sell for too much, but older comics tend to be much more valuable. 

Read this article to learn how to evaluate the value of your comic books.

Demand is generally pretty high, and even modern comics should sell for a few bucks. Comic books from before 1980 become more valuable. 

In general, editions that introduce a new hero or villain are more valuable. If you have a comic from the 1950s or earlier, it could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

The absolute rarest comics have sold for hundreds of thousands or even more than a million dollars.

Coins

Old coins can also sell for a surprising amount of money, although the price you’ll get varies greatly based on what specific coins you own.

Whether or not a coin has entered circulation usually has a big impact on value. Uncirculated coins have never entered circulation. More commonly are circulated coins that have been used in transactions and show signs of wear.

Rarer two, three, or five-cent coins can sell for up to $20. Other coins may net hundreds of dollars. The most coveted coins sell for thousands. 

Action Figurines

Older action figures are another type of collectible with the potential to net a significant profit. The condition of the figure affects price greatly, with unopened figures going for much more.

New figures or figures with little demand won’t sell for more than a handful of dollars. Older sets with high demand can quickly sell for a few hundred dollars. Vintage Star Wars figures seem to sell exceptionally well.

The right figurine could easily sell for thousands. 

Trading Cards

Most sports have their own sets of trading cards. Older cards with famous athletes are very costly. In particular, baseball cards accumulate a lot of value. 

Like most collectibles, cards from the 1980s and later don’t go for much due to the excess supply. Vintage baseball cards, on the other hand, can certainly go for hundreds. Cards made before WW2 are the most valuable of all.

These pre-war cards can sell for thousands or more, depending on the player. 

Fine China

China and dishware don’t sell for exorbitant prices like some of the other collectibles on the list, but it’s still well worth it if you decide to sell.

A good china set can go for several hundred dollars. Silverware can also sell for a fair price if the design is desirable. Otherwise, it may sell for more as scrap silver. 

Where are the Best Local Places to Buy Collectibles & Antiques

Now that we’ve covered a few common types of collectibles and antiques, we’ll review some local places to buy these items.

You may want to go shopping to secure some nice antiques for decoration or to build your collection of old coins. Alternatively, you could go collectible hunting and try to pick up some rare pieces for the resale value.

Either way, many local options are good, depending on your needs. 

Flea Markets

While these tend to be a seasonal operation, flea markets are ripe with a wide variety of goods, antiques, and curios. 

Finding a rare or valuable antique here will be more akin to a treasure hunt, though. Many items sold here aren’t worth much. If you head to a flea market looking for rare goods, be prepared to arrive early and spend plenty of time exploring. 

Yard & Garage Sales

Yard sales are another seasonal type of market. Similar to flea markets, most of the items for sale won’t be bonafide antiques.

The selection at a yard sale is likely to be even more random and diverse. Expect to invest a fair amount of time searching for collectibles. On the plus side, if you do find a genuine antique, it’s very likely to be sold at a dirt-cheap price. 

Thrift Stores

Unlike outdoor seasonal markets, thrift stores are brick-and-mortar operations open year-round. This makes them an excellent option for shopping in the winter months. 

Depending on the thrift store, you may find that the majority of the wares are clothes. However, most places include home furnishings and other sections that have antique-hunting potential. 

Many families tend to offload large quantities of items to thrift stores. With so many things moving through the shop, it’s always possible to find a pricey antique for an excellent price.  

Pawn Shops

Pawnshops differ from other places on this list since they’re nearly guaranteed to be stocked with some antiques and collectibles. 

Pawnbrokers make a point only to carry genuine antiques and collectibles, so they accumulate items with real value. 

This makes it easier to find antiques here, but it also negates finding an antique deal for just a few dollars. 

Dealers know how much their items are worth and will sell accordingly. 

How to Find Out How Much Your Collectibles & Antiques are Worth

Now that you know where to find antiques and collectibles, it’s crucial to determine how much they’re worth.

With such wildly varying prices for different items, you should know exactly what you’ve purchased. 

Verify that Items Are Authentic

In general, there are a few tips to keep in mind when evaluating your items. These include the item’s rarity, aesthetics, desirability, and authenticity. 

However, getting a professional evaluation is one of the best ways to know what your piece is worth it. 

Some websites offer free appraisals. Be sure to check around your area for antique appraisal shops. Getting multiple appraisals is an excellent way to make sure you’re not getting a raw deal.

Determine the Condition

The condition of antique or collectible also affects its value significantly. In the case of collectibles, the better the condition, the higher the value.

A pristine baseball card or an action figure still in its packaging is worth more than its opened counterparts.

When it comes to antiques, the answer is a bit more complicated. An old piece of artwork with minor damage might be better off unrestored. Old silverware and other types of metal can gain value from the patina coat that builds.

Be sure to do your research before restoring antiques, as that can impact appraisal greatly. 

What are Good Sites to Sell Collectibles & Antiques?

You may decide to keep your antiques and collectibles for the value they provide you. However, if you decide to sell, there are plenty of online sites that are straightforward and simple to sell. 

SheepBuy

With many large online marketplaces existing already, it can be hard to find an unsaturated site to list with. Sheepbuy is an up-and-coming online market with a number of advantages over larger sites.

One of the biggest advantages of Sheepbuy is the absence of any listing or commission fees. When you sell an item, you receive all the money from the sale.

A basic plan is free, allowing 3 active listings at once. If you’re a bigger seller, you can upgrade to a larger plan for just a few dollars a month. 

Etsy

Etsy is a larger, well-known online marketplace focused on handmade items, antiques, and other unique items.

There is a substantial market and focus on buying and selling antiques and collectibles on Etsy. The downside of this larger market means that items receive a listing fee and a 5% commission on the final sale. 

eBay

Probably the most notable person to person selling platform on the internet is eBay. This site has a massive marketplace, with almost anything and everything you can imagine listed.

eBay has a massive user base with some antiques for sale, but the lack of a specific focus might make it harder for others to find your listings. 

Additionally, eBay does charge fees depending on the item and sale. 

Conclusion

If you have antiques and collectibles at home or are interested in getting into that field, there is a lot to learn. 

Some items, like comic books, coins, and dinnerware, tend to sell for a higher value with more overall demand. 

When you’re looking to shop for antiques, there are many local options, such as pawnshops, thrift stores, and flea markets, all with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Once you have some antiques, it’s essential to evaluate and assess their worth. Some basic tips apply to most items, but getting an online or in-person appraisal can help eliminate confusion. 

You may want to keep your antiques or sell them instead. Should you choose to sell, there are plenty of online options, from smaller markets like Sheepbuy to massive sites like Etsy and eBay.

With this information, you’re ready to go searching. Happy hunting!