Do you feel comfortable sending and receiving coins in the mail? Why or why not?

Yes, with UPS, and as long as the sender packages it with care for the receiver.

Name and address withheld

Yes, if they can be tracked!

Paul Pohler, Address withheld

I am personally uncomfortable about receiving coins through the mail. I have had two incidents where I have received my shipments from the U.S. Mint in boxes that were re-taped at the post office, saying they were found “opened.” Only to find the coin inside (both 1-ounce silver commemorative coins) missing inside the box. It was such a major hassle trying to get a response from the post office that I reordered them. I got both this time.

John Sutka, Address withheld

I sell coins, tokens, and medals on eBay. While not necessarily super expensive ones, I still feel comfortable and confident with sending them in the mail. Only a couple never reached their destination. The clerk at the post office gave me a tip about sending them in an envelope. Put a small strip of a stiffener in the bottom of the envelope, such as a piece cut from a cereal box. I haven’t had any problems since. I’m in a rural area and leave most of my things in the mailbox. Some I take to the post office. I trust the post office more than FedEx or UPS.

Brian Schlee, Madison, Ohio

Not really. I purchase some newly released coins from eBay. Sellers sometimes use regular paper letter envelopes, and the coins make outlines on the outside of them. One coin actually cut a hole in an envelope and almost came out. I usually buy from regular advertised dealers and had really great results. The purchases were well-wrapped, and they used post office supply packaging. Just once in a while, I have received the wrong coin by mistake, but the seller has always made good.

Roy E. Robertson, Annapolis, Md.

I got burned doing that from buying from an individual and supposedly a shop. The individual had a photo of an uncirculated Peace dollar, about $5 lower than what I saw at a coin show. The dollar looked great. When I got it, the holder had Unc. written on it, but at best, it was VF. I sent a message about the condition because it wasn’t right. He just said you got what you paid for. So, I don’t trust buying from an individual or eBay. I will buy from coin shops/companies that advertise in Numismatic News, etc. There are only a few select companies I will deal with when buying silver/gold. For the most part, I want to physically see and examine coins before buying.

H. Michael Kinsman, Highland, Ill.

I do not like to order or send coins by mail. Too many horror stories about them “going missing.” Once in a while I will order by mail, but it is not my preferred method of doing my numismatic business.

Ken, Germantown, Ohio

I have sold hundreds of coins (under $20 purchase price) and have used eBay’s tracking. I would estimate less than 1 percent have not made it to their final destination. With coins of any value, I purchase tracking through UPS and never had a problem with that. Yes, I am confident.

John Huntington, Address withheld

I buy a lot of coins that are shipped and delivered via the mail. I feel very comfortable with this because of all the protections, i.e., insurance and tracking, as well as PayPal protection. However, there is obviously a risk of it getting stolen after delivery. So, that is definitely a problem. I have cameras and security, and I get notified immediately via my phone. Now, what really ticks me off is when I get an “empty” package! But that has only happened once to me and PayPal immediately refunded my purchase. PayPal is great! eBay? Not so much. The bigger problem is the counterfeits that neither eBay nor the Secret Service is doing anything about. But God help you if you pass a fake $1 bill anywhere. The Secret Service will be banging on your door in less than 24 hours to lock you up. Fake coins? They could care less. eBay too! They do nothing! That is the biggest problem with buying coins these days. And as an ex-Federal Fraud Examiner, that seriously ticks me off!

That’s my take on it, anyway, for what it’s worth.

Chris, Georgia

I do not feel safe sending coins by mail because of the losses I have experienced and the difficulty in getting their value paid in full.

Gary Ferguson, Address withheld

I’m quite comfortable with sending and receiving coins in the mail. I mail dozens out every week. I do make sure that my business name is not on the outside of the envelope; no point in advertising the contents.

Ben Brauchler, Fredonia Coin & Treasure LLC

I think it's OK to buy coins by mail, provided the seller gives you the right to return them for a full refund if the coin doesn’t meet your standards.

Today’s pictures are very good, and you can see most of what you need to judge the coin’s grade and value. However, in the earlier days of eBay, this was essential to purchasing a coin online. The pictures were poor, so many of the coins were way overgraded, and many were counterfeit.

I have bought many coins on eBay and had to return about 30 percent of them for being cleaned, or the coin just didn’t measure up in hand, as you were buying many coins that were raw. I have also bought a few coins from larger dealers with the same parameters, but mostly, I have bought coins either at shows or in larger auctions.

It’s still caveat emptor.

Roy Herbst, Ridgefield, Conn.

I am okay with getting some coins in the mail, but I really don't send anything out. Of course, I don't ever order any that I could not afford to lose in the system.

Timothy Benedict, Facebook