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Appraisals

Which kind of value does my report state?

In short: The one that fits your purpose. Insurance usually needs replacement value, while estates and donations usually need fair market value. The report names the definition and its effective date so nobody has to guess.

"What is it worth?" has more than one honest answer, and the right one depends on why you are asking. This is the most common source of confusion about appraisals, so it is worth a few minutes.

Replacement value

What it would cost to replace the card with a comparable one, in a similar condition, within a reasonable time. This is the usual basis for insurance, because the policy is meant to put you back where you were. It tends to be higher than what you would receive if you sold.

Fair market value

The price a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree on, both reasonably informed and neither forced to act. This is the basis the IRS uses for estates and charitable donations, and it is common in divorces and other divisions of property.

Other definitions

Some situations call for something else: a claim may follow the policy's own definition, and litigation may follow what the court or the parties specify. The engagement letter fixes it before I start.

Why the date matters too

Card prices move, sometimes quickly. Every report states the effective date its value applies to. For insurance, that is one reason to update the documentation each year.

If you are not sure which value you need, tell me the purpose and I will tell you. That is part of the scope, not an extra.

Where this fits

Appraisal

Want a written opinion on what your cards are worth?

A written appraisal states the value, the purpose and the reasoning, with photographs. Read about appraisals