Opinions please - should I sell this on ebay?

[Saltire]

Have got a gold coin - south Africa, 1898. There is an identical one on ebay at the minute currently at £300. I have been wathcing these similar items for over a year now, as am keen tos ell mine - need the extra cash, but is it worth selling it on ebay?

I suspect you'd get a better price on Ebay than selling to a dealer; am not sure how else you could sell it. I am looking to buy gold coins, btw!

That's what I thought too, that I'd get a better price. The ones I have been watching over the past year or so have all gone for between £250 and £350, I think a dealer would be a lot less.

I am however a bit wary, what if the buyer says there's a problemw ith it and wants a refund, thens ends me back a dud coin (I know, I'm imagining everyone is bad on ebay) or claims it has gone missing - although I would send special delivery

I suggest that you put it up on auction "As is", and send it special delivery (you include PO insurance in the P+P charge). Include a lot of close-up pix of the coin so they can truly see the condition.

If you are somewhere with high population density like London you could also opt for local pickup or you deliver for a charge, then they can't quibble about much.

It is n what I would call excellent condition. The one I saw yesterday the photograph was off a different coin. The seller was selling an 1896 coin, which he said had an attachement on it for a chain, but the photo was of a mint condition 1900 coin!
The one I have is pure gold, and was contained in a fixture to wear as brooch - but that didn't alter the coin in any way

Personally, I'd at least get some quotes from dealers before going to Ebay - but that's primarily because I'd be nervous of Ebay scammers (for the reasons you mentioned!!).

I'd also check the insurance cover with Royal Mail and what you'd have to provide in terms of proof of value, in the event of a claim. I think with antiques they often want an official expert valuation. Worth giving them a call?

Although, now I think about it, they maybe go by Ebay selling price for insurance value. Not sure??

Ok, so I decided to list it, and now can't get a good photo of it

Do you have a Macro option on your camera, often shown as a small flower like symbol? This will help the camera focus on close up objects.

Also, try to take the picture with the item on a well lit window sill, and switch the flash off - this will help reduce any glare or reflections on the coin.

When it sells, remember that recorded delivery will only cover you for £41 if it gets lost or damaged in the post, so if it sells for more than that, it must go by Special Delivery which covers you up to £500.

Either way, on that sort of item you MUST get a signature on delivery - recorded or special are the only two RM services that offer this, and also put the tracking number into the paypal transaction screen when it sells.

Have listd it, with reserve price, am hoping it gets it's reserve (£200) as all the other coins that are the same date and amount are going for upwards of £250, but am quite happy to take £200 for mine