To start this review, I'd like to say I did Millions of dollars worth of business with Ian and Greatcollections over the course of a couple years. I won a 1792 Half Disme in PCGS MS64 for $430,000. To help balance my inventory and cash flow, I consigned $200,000+ worth of coins to greatcollections. Typically, auctions on greatcollections run for 30-45 days. My coins, without my permission, were subject to a 14 day auction (limited visibility) in June at that-- weak time of the year to auction... I would know, I've sold coins, auction style on eBay for 15+ years (longer than GC has been in business). Anyways, the coins I consigned sold for $154,000. -$50,000. Worse yet, the coins I consigned were coins I had purchased through GC in previous months! GC received commissions on the coins when I purchased, they received commissions on the coins when I consigned, and I get stiffed with a -50k outcome. OK. That, I didn't like whatsoever, but was willing to deal with it and move on in order to get the 1792 half disme. Here's where my main issue with GC arises. I attempted to call Ian (GC President/owner) directly, as I texted / called him back and forth on occasion for higher end rare coins both buying and selling. Ian did not answer my phone call(s). He barely responded to texts. So be it, we all get busy. I was attempting to pay the remaining balance for the 1792 Half Disme which was around $275,000. I needed to know the exact amount prior to wiring or selling coins direct (I certainly was NOT going to consign any other coins after the aforementioned dealing- let alone a similar experience a year prior.) I receive an email from an attorney 9-17-22 stating that I owed $28,000 in interest. Excuse me? Not one time was I ever notified that I was being charged interest. I finally get ahold of Ian and he stated that I needed to pay the interest on top of the remaining balance If I wanted the coin. I said no. I was never notified I was being charged interest and I'm not going to blindly pay interest without being notified. We go back n' forth and neither side budges. It is now mid-October. To try and resolve this, I said I would pay 1 month's rate of interest (September to October) as I was unaware of any interest incurred prior to that. At this point, Ian deferred my contact through his 'attorney' which informed me that I had until the end of that day to pay the interest and remaining balance or the coin was to be re-auctioned. WOW. This was at 2pm CST, GC is located in Irvine, CA making it noon there. Even if I had wired the funds, they wouldn't have made it that day. Aside from that, they auctioned the 1792 half disme for 14 days... The coin sold for 70k less than I won it for. Ian and GC held my $154,000+ for 5 months, then under the guise of their 'articles' charged me interest, and the difference of the half disme selling again. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I never owned the coin. If I did, I wouldn't have sold it through GC. If you're still reading this review and following the math; I consigned 200k worth of inventory, they sold the coins for 50k less than I paid, and charged me 100k on top-- netting me 50k out of 200k. In what world do they, you, or I live in, where this is acceptable? If you are reading this, RUN AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FROM IAN AND GREATCOLLECTIONS. There are a lot of great people in the coin industry and a lot of SNAKEY SHMUCKS. read more

I only recently became really aware of GreatCollections (even though I have seen them advertised in Coin World for many years) when I decided to sell my collection of Spanish Colonial Gold and Silver coins. I was offered less than $7,000 by the very few dealers who wanted to buy them (even though there was a high-grade type set of 8 Escudos gold doubloons). What did I end up with: $13,581.40. That is a bit of a difference! I then decided to check into what was being offered and I have successfully bid of several amazing coins. One (pictured) was an 1895 $20 gold piece graded by PCGS in an Old Green Holder (OGH) with a Gold CAC sticker (indicating the grade on the original PCGS label was lower than what it should have been). This coin was clearly way above MS60 and looked like Proof-Like surfaces. We'll see what it comes back as when I have it re-graded. Suggestion: I have seen some negative reviews and I can only say if you are new to coin collecting (I have been doing it for 54 years) and think you can make a lot of money quickly buying and trading, you are probably rather naive. You need to buy quality and think long-term. GreatCollections does not charge commissions on coins sold for over $1,000 (which saved me a fortune), and their commission for lower cost coins is incredibly reasonable. I especially like the almost instantaneous emails indicating whether you are the high bidder at the moment, or if someone has outbid you, so that you can jump back in and raise your bid. How much do I like Great Collections? I have spent over $28,600 in just the first month of bidding and I will continue bidding until I complete my goal of having a rather amazing US and Mexico gold collection. Is there transparency? Absolutely. I have found Ian and Raeleen to be completely honorable business people and I will continue to go back to GreatCollections rather than the other auction houses I have dealt with in the past who were less than forthcoming. read more

I have done business with GreatCollections, both buying and selling, since January 2014. At that time I was new to coin auctions and did some research on several coin auction sites. GreatCollections came out on top. I liked all aspects of this company. Mainly their low buyer/seller fees and quick turn around times, as well as their very user-friendly website! At that time I had some questions concerning coin consignments and sent a text to Ian Russell. He got back to me via phone the same day, on a weekend while he was out of town. He was very personable/knowledgeable, answering all my questions in a way that I clearly understood. He told me not to hesitate to call him anytime I had any further questions. Thinking back on that, having consigned 817 coins since then, I appreciated that offer very much! Lastly, but certainly not least, I had several opportunities to speak with Raeleen Endo, Director of Client Services. Also a very personable and knowledgeable person. I believe that is a refection of the whole GreatCollection Team! Thank you for the excellent end results on ALL of my consignments, and the top notch quality in which they were prepared and presented for auction! I wish the whole GreatCollection Team and their company continued success! read more

Great Collections has been my 'go to' site for buying and selling since its inception (and actually before . . . back to the "Teletrade" days). Ian and Raeleen, and crew are completely dedicated to every aspect of customer service and spend inordinate amounts of time personally interacting with not only collectors of 6 and 7 digit coins, but the collectors who formulate the ground level as well. Polished, professional, and compassionate . . . the organization can tailor services to the individual, yet remains one of the largest numismatic firms in the worldwide industry I do not write 'reviews' routinely, and this actually happens to be my first on this site, but it is important that a bright spot in our numismatic arc receives just a bit of recognition for the premier site and operation they have designed. I look forward to even more years of working with Great Collections and helping fellow collectors find the ease and satisfaction I have found there in both my buying and selling Continued success to the hardest working individuals in coins! read more

I have been dealing with Great Collections for better than the last ten years, literally since their entrance into the major coin auction houses.  Loyal business like my own is not given randomly; it is earned by service and pricing.  The team of Mr. Russell and Ms. Endo furnish those attributes consistently while retaining a hands-on, low-key approach.  Their operation is smooth and user friendly.  They have become a major player within the coin industry in a very short time, outdoing large and long standing auction houses by "service and pricing".  Their commissions are the lowest known to me and their "delivery" regarding all phases is one of the fastest.  Just as I purchased coins from them all those years, I am now entrusting them with selling same as I liquidate my sizable collection. I take great satisfaction in being their customer and, in some small way, being a part of their success.  Without reservations and with the greatest of pleasure I whole heartedly recommend Great Collections to all numismatists. Bob D. read more

Yes, GreatCollections Coin Auctions is as good as it gets! 5 stars! I sent them all the coins I inherited from my late husband and they sold them for me. Pain free on my part. They took excellent photes of the coins and listed them separately. They kept me updated when they received the coins and when they were listed on their website, when they sold and when they were sending my check. The website is very user friendly! I could log in at any time and see exactly what was happening, how many bids and for how much. If I ever decided to buy a coin I would use this site, these people are friendly and are very responsive to emails and phone calls. I recommend GreatCollection for buying or selling! I must admit I did comtact them several times as I had never bought or sold coins before. They were so nice each time. I used them because they were highly recommend by a couple of people I knew from my gym and neighborhood. read more

I have dealt with Great Collections for the past four years and have nothing but highest praise for them. Their service is excellent and their staff are very helpful. Their commission rates are far lower than Ebay and they take care of the photography (which is excellent) and the listings. Ian and Raeleen (GC owners) are very personable, professional and helpful. After dealing with Great Collections, I stopped selling coins on ebay because of their confiscatory seller, listing and other fees. Unlike Ebay, it's easy to reach an actual person at Great Collections if one has questions or issues. GC has established a major market for their coins. For someone looking for the absolute best source to buy and sell coins, Great Collections is by far the best alternative in the marketplace. read more

Great Collections sets the standard as a for-profit company which provides an essential service to the American collector. Its services are unparalleled; costs are minimal compared to the "prestige" sellers, and the Great Collections photographic presentation of coins to be auctioned is so clearly superior to the competition that it should be an ongoing embarrassment to that competition. Ian and Raeleen are always available for the occasional question. Bidding is easy and so well organized that the process is smooth and, I think, rather fair. When the time comes to sell my extensive collection, I will be standing in line at their door... read more

The worst personal, disrespectful, stressful, financial loss, business experience of my life using Great Collections. If you have a grievance against Great Collections you can submit your complaint for arbitration to: The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) Website: pngdealers.org Email: info@pngdealers.org Many other coin dealers are also members of PNG. If you have a grievance with another coin dealer and they are a member of PNG, you may be able to submit to PNG also. The PNG membership companies are posted on the PNG website. Ebay is an alternative. With Ebay...YOU...are in control of your coins or investment. read more

I submitted a 2020 D quarter recently to Great Collections. I had never seen one like it so, I called Ian Russell and he took his personal time to talk to me on three different occasions. He said he had not seen one either. So I sent it in and it was posted about two weeks later. Figured the coins could fetch about $1000. Three weeks later my coin sold for $3100 (WOW!!!) What a great team Ian has...and he takes his personal time to talk with you. Ever had anyone from Ebay call you about your coin?? I think not. Thanks to you Ian and your team. I am a customer for life. Dennis March read more

Done this all my life. I followed this management team from teletrade to here and I had done well with teletrade, to boot. Certainly better service, totally responsive to every question and dedicated staff here. Go attend all the other auctions. It will be clear to you. They have almost no time for you. Have bought and sold many thousands of coins over the course of 40+ years. Go to the biggest coin shows, look over everyone in this specific business. You cannot beat this deal, no one else even close. Great Collections is much more personal and responsive. read more

Over the past few months I've been selling the last of my coin collection as I move into paper money. I had watched GC's impressive sales figures over the years and decided to give them a try, especially with NO commission charge to the seller on items over $1K and only a nominal charge for items of lesser value. But what I didn't expect was the monster payout - on average, almost twice what I had figured, and I had done some homework. They handled CAC submissions and the payout was quick, less than three weeks. Really can't say enough about this firm. read more

i had coins to sell, i did not know where.all i want is a fair price.a friend suggested great collections. so i contacted ian russel of great collections and he said he could sell them. i found ian to be very approachable, not forgetting raeleen endo, who have built a great team. i sent great collections 35 libertads-----they marketed them, and all 35 were sold! i never thought i would get the price i dreamed of, but i did. ian and his team are diamonds,and if you want to sell your coins------- you are in safe hands!! read more

Great Collections is the next big leap forward for our collecting, buying and selling hobby, fraternity and or business. A coin aficionado for over fifty years! After third party grading and digital photography, this business model is the fast, accurate, fair and efficient way to exchange coins. I have done six figure transactions with these folks that have met my highest expectations and are so reasonable on the cost side. I highly recommend Great Expectations. Ian and Raeleen & staff treat you like friends. Alan read more

Great Collections is customer-centric. Todd McKenna took the time to explain the type and origin of my coins. His explanation was comprehensive and easy for a novice to understand. I was surprised by the level of detail included because my coins are of no value to Great Collections. As promised on their website, Todd gave me suggestions on where my coins may have monetary worth and to whom. My experience shows this company and its employees have integrity, and I would not hesitate to trust them with my valuables. read more

So far I have used GreatCollections to buy, sell, swap, and just about everything else coin related I wanted to do. I have done several layaway's and they were always straightforward and easy to deal with. When I wanted to arrange the sale of some of my collectors coins to buy silver bullion Ian was able to sell the coins and arrange for me to get the silver I wanted at a fair price slightly below the going premium. Much better than the name brand auction site I would not hesitate to recommend them read more

I recently used GreatCollections to auction two gold coins and had a fantastic experience. As a first-time seller, I was a bit nervous about the process, but Ben Shakouri was incredibly helpful. He assisted with everything from account registration to the physical intake of the coins. The communication was excellent, the grading process was smooth, and I received my settlement check promptly. I highly recommend GreatCollections and specifically Ben for their professional and friendly service! read more

I wanted to specifically thank Great Collections for the great service they provided for the many years I have been using them to consign or purchase coins. Great Collections' service is always 110% and look forward to many more years of doing business with them. If there is ever any issue you can be rest assured, they will go out of their way to make everything right, as they have from my experience. Highly Recommend! AAA+ Mark read more

Great Collections is a great place to buy or sell coins, medals, and paper money of all kinds. Ian and Raeleen are so easy and pleasant to deal with, their customer service couldn't be better. Low commissions compared to regular auction houses and a large customer base makes for top dollar for sellers and some good deals for buyers. I've been a bidder and seller for years and highly recommend them! read more