How do you value a collection?

[mybestbretts]

I agree Curt, and its bound to happen sooner or later. If you are a true collector of a player or team, etc your collection can go from very rare to junk, all in one place. What the unknown is the time, if you could ever, put it together again. One of these days we will see one go up for auction. I notice a few year PSA sets are going up to for sale, not the same thing but an interesting thing to see what they bring.

[clydepepper]

My valuation is probably not very accurate at all...I tend to value it like most of my possessions: by my cost.

When you make purchases emotionally an accurate e-val frequently flies out the window.

[Exhibitman]

For insurance purposes, I try to get a rough market estimate. I have maintained pretty good records of what I paid for things over the decades so I have that data too. Given the relatively modest cost of collection insurance (you can get a collectibles policy in six figures for several hundred dollars a year), I don't sweat it too much as long as the estimate is in the ballpark. If there is ever a loss, we will have to go through an adjustment and/or appraisal process anyway.