Do I sell this coin collection?

September 29, 2013 8:52 AM

My mom's uncle left me a "Heritage of America Coin Collection" when he died several years ago. I'm trying to decide if I should sell/get rid of it or not.

You can see pictures and other information from other people with the same item here. Apparently, it was offered through the Gulf Oil Credit Card in the 60s or 70s.

I'm not sure why my mom's uncle left it to me. I do not have a particular interest in coins or coin collecting. The only thing I can think of is that it has his name on it, and his last name is my middle name, and he had no brothers and no children, so I am "carrying on the family name," since his sisters both took their husband's last names when they married. But there must have been other things with his name on them that were not left to me, so I don't understand why he gave me this.

The coin collection is an interesting thing, but since I don't know anything about coins, there is a limit to my appreciation and interest. I sometimes show it to friends who come visit, but only in an ironic way, "isn't this a weird and random thing I have."

My wife and I are transitioning into a minimal lifestyle, so I am trying to get rid of things that I do not need or use. The coin collection, and the case it comes in, is large and bulky, and awkward to move and store. I have been trying to understand the reasons why I have held on to it so far and here are some things I came up with:

*It is an "heirloom". If I hold on to it, I could give it to a hypothetical child/nephew/niece.
*Since it was a dying gift, it seems improper to sell it.

That second one is the one I keep coming up against. Since I don't know why the gift was given to me, I feel uncertain about selling it. Is that a good enough reason to keep a large, heavy, awkward object, especially when we are trying to simplify our life and minimize the amount of stuff we own?

Any kind of advice and input would be appreciated. Thanks.

posted by moonroof to Human Relations (9 answers total)

Only you can really determine whether it being a bequest is "a good enough reason" to hold on to the coins. From what you say, it doesn't sound like you have any particular attachment to the coins or the great uncle given that all you do is show it "in an ironic way" to people. Is your mother still alive/do you have a relationship with her? If you think she won't complicate the process, why don't you ask her if she thinks she or anyone else in the family would want the collection (or check with any family members with whom you are in contact)? If so, give it to them and it stays in the family. If nobody else in the family does want it, I think you can sell it in good conscience.

Your great uncle is dead, so he isn't going to mind. The only issue--other than your potential pangs of regret--might be if others in the family might want the item and be upset that you are selling it. This should be avoided by offering to give it to someone it inside the family before selling it to a stranger/non-relative.*

*Again, this solution assumes nobody in the family is going to make it a THING, i.e. "How could you be so cruel and heartless as to sell Uncle Seymour's beloved coin collection? You're an unfeeling monster, moonroof!" If it might turn into a thing, just sell it and never mention it.
posted by HonoriaGlossop at 9:08 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

Occam's razor suggests that he gave it to you because he had nobody specific (i.e. interested in coins, or direct descendants) who would have been better to give it to. He liked it enough to get it and keep it; but that doesn't mean you have to.

You have my magnanimous permission to sell it. If it'd make you feel better, you can donate a portion of your proceeds in his name to something he would have found worthy, or that you find worthy.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:08 AM on September 29, 2013

If you don't need the money, how about giving the collection to one of his sisters' children. They might appreciate having something with family history; especially if they have an interest in coins. If you need the money, it is certainly yours to sell. There is no reason for you to keep the collection if you do not want it.
posted by The Architect at 9:11 AM on September 29, 2013 [3 favorites]

I would just sell it. Try ebay or see what a local dealer will give you. It doesn't look like it's worth a whole lot, but probably at least $200-400. I hate stuff like this, because it has some sentimental value but is totally useless and just sits and gathers dust. I would just sell it and never look back. A year from now you'll forget about it.
posted by Slinga at 9:27 AM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Since it was a dying gift, it seems improper to sell it.

It was a dying gift, not a dying curse to bind you forever. And it's not some multigenerational heirloom that you're in custody of now; it's a recently-made tchotchke. If you're not getting much enjoyment out of it then sell it and thank your gruncle for whatever you do with the money.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:05 AM on September 29, 2013 [5 favorites]

Since it was a dying gift, it seems improper to sell it.
>>it's a recently-made tchotchke. If you're not getting much enjoyment out of it then sell it and thank your gruncle for whatever you do with the money.

ROU has it. Interpret whatever money you can get from it as your inheritance, and do with it as you like, and give him a nod of thanks or a small prayer when you spend it.
posted by mochapickle at 10:19 AM on September 29, 2013 [2 favorites]

Best answer: They're coins. The only way to use them is to "spend" them.
posted by oceanjesse at 11:07 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: The solution seems obvious in retrospect after listening to a chorus of MeFites. Thanks for the advice, and the laughs.
posted by moonroof at 11:42 AM on September 29, 2013 [1 favorite]

When someone gives you a gift, it's because they want you to be happy, and maybe because they want the item to be put to good use. It sounds as though what would make you happy is to have some extra space and the memory of your uncle. And someone else who actually likes the item could put it to good use. I'd take a bunch of digital pictures of it, including close-ups of the nameplate, so that you keep the memory of your uncle. Then, give or sell the actual physical item to someone who can enjoy it.
posted by decathecting at 11:48 AM on September 29, 2013