The internet has transformed the antiques and collectibles trade in a myriad of ways, but none have been greater than the rise of online auctions. The ability to buy and sell collectibles almost at the speed of light has created a need for up-to-date pricing information that reflects these changing market dynamics. Luckily, there is a plethora of free pricing information readily available for the average enthusiast to take advantage of. There are also sites that offer paid pricing information that cater to certain collectible markets or the entire antiques and collectibles trade. Some of these sites are better than others, and some I do not recommend at all. Listed below are my top five free and paid sites that I use to gain access to pricing information. 5. Go Collect (www.gocollect.com): Ill be the first to admit that I was quite skeptical when Go Collect first premiered. The website hosts pricing and in-depth market commentary on a plethora of collectibles, focusing most on graded pop culture based collectibles. If you collect graded comic books, magazines, video games, or concert posters, this site probably has what you are looking for. Critics will lament that Go Collect serves the high-end collecting community, and I tend to agree, but, after all, if you are paying four figures for a comic book, do you really just consider yourself a collector? Go Collect has a free option as well as a paid tier to access more in-depth pricing information. Start with a free membership and determine if the perks of having a paid membership are worth it. 4. GPAnalysis (www.gpanalysis.com): If you are a high-end comic book collector, GPAnalysis was the first price tracking website created to show real time pricing information for graded comic books. Today, it is one of many, with Go Collect being its closest competitor. I usually recommend GPAnalysis to hardcore high-profile graded comic book collectors and investors who strictly want data on comic books only. Since the site focuses only on graded comic books, its in-depth valuations and portfolio management options make it a top choice for dealers as well. Be prepared to pay about $11 a month for this information. 3. PCGS Coin Facts (available as a free mobile app for iPhone and Android users): Want pricing information for graded coins as well as mintages and other historical data about your favorite U.S. coins? Want all of this information free of charge? If so, this app is a no-brainer. The app was created by PCGS, one of the leading third-party grading companies for coins. If you are a collector, investor, or dealer of graded coins, you owe it to yourself to check out this free app. It is truly amazing to me how many coin aficionados I personally know that did not know this app existed and is free of charge. The app contains a plethora of information and historical facts for all U.S. coins. It even features grading definitions and commentary from some well-known numismatic experts. 2. Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com): Critics will lament that this list thus far focuses too much on pop culture collectibles and graded higher end collectibles, and they would be correct. That said, setting up an account on Heritage Auctions is free of charge, and by doing so, you will have access to an abundance of past auction history. Make no mistake, Heritage Auctions is a higher end collectibles site, but the back catalog of pricing history covers everything from fine art to historical manuscripts, art glass to coins and currency, and vintage toys to comic books. Omitting this amount of pricing data from this list would be a disservice to anyone operating in the antiques and collectibles trade. Make no mistake, there is a reason why Heritage Auctions is a market leader for antiques and collectibles, and exploring their site will help you understand why. The site is also great for historical pricing data. 1. eBay (www.ebay.com): Looking for values for everyday items, collectibles, and more obscure antiques? eBay has you covered without having to pay a membership fee for pricing data that may be out of date. Simply search for the item you are looking for and filter the results to sold and completed listings, and you will be treated to a listing of items that sold within the last 30 days. In my opinion, this is the best way to search for price listings of more common or average items without having to pay for the information. In conclusion, I recommend few paid sites that offer pricing information unless I listed them above. In the event you have something truly unique and hard to find pricing data for, you should be reaching out to an appraiser and not attempting to find the information yourself online because in doing so, you may be leaving a lot of money on the table. This is especially true with one-of-a-kind items. Certain markets in the antiques and collectibles trade are more sophisticated than others. Valuing and authenticating art, antique furniture, certain types of glass, and historical artifacts, for the most part, should be done with the help of experts. That said, getting a copy of the latest yearly price guide devoted to antiques and collectibles cant hurt either. Thanks for reading. Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.