Can I get your opinons on Joel Rettew (California Dealer)

fcloud · April 14, 2007 9:17AM

A close friend of mine has asked me about a dealer out in his neck of the woods. I think he is a top notch dealer but I would like any info you are willing to share. I for some reason think I may have purchased from him in the past, but I just don't remember.

If you don't want to make your comments public, please feel free to PM me.

Thanks in advance.

WTCG · April 14, 2007 1:34PM

Both Joel Rettew and his son Joel Rettew Jr. are coin dealers operating independent of each other, so who in particular are you inquiring about?

roadrunner · April 14, 2007 1:36PM

Do an advanced search on "Rettew" as he has been discussed here before.

roadrunner

fcloud · April 14, 2007 11:38PM

<< Both Joel Rettew and his son Joel Rettew Jr. are coin dealers operating independent of each other, so who in particular are you inquiring about? >>

Sr.

fcloud · April 14, 2007 11:39PM

<< Do an advanced search on "Rettew" as he has been discussed here before.

roadrunner >>

I did an advance search all the comments are old. I think the newest one is 2002.

IRCWCoins · April 14, 2007 11:50PM

Here's a thread that should give you the information you're looking for. Joel Rettew

roadrunner · April 15, 2007 12:10AM

Comments from 2002 would certainly be applicable today. Current or previous membership in coin organizations is by no means the only criteria in evaluating a dealer. The ONLY organization that has any teeth and criteria to enter is the PNG. But nothing is fool proof.

David Hall worked for Rettew in the 1970's. I can still recall getting those flashy (for the time) Rettew catalogs such as the Great Eastern Collection (included many then finest known seated dime rarities).

roadrunner

BulletBiter · April 15, 2007 12:38AM

I have purchased from him a few times. I guess it depends on what you are buying and what your expectations are. The first couple purchases where proof sets and mint sets and the last where some PCGS modern proofs in PF69DCAM. No problems what so ever. My expectations where I would get what I ordered. I did, and pretty fast. I can’t complain about that.

As far as the Spam goes, I have certainly gotten my share from him. Both before I ordered anything and since.

RichieURich · April 15, 2007 3:56AM

I ran into him at a show a few years ago and he had an 1854-O quarter marked "VG, $200". I figured the only way an 1854-O quarter in VG was worth $200 is if it was a Huge O, so I asked to see it. It was not a Huge O. Even today, an 1854-O quarter that isn't a Huge O trends at $50. Would any dealer with integrity sell a regular 1854-O quarter in VG for $200? Can you say "rip-off"?

Barry · April 15, 2007 4:29AM

I wouldn't buy from him. That's my opinion.

silvereagleproof · April 15, 2007 6:40AM

I bought a 2005 PCGS MS70 Silver Eagle from him a few years ago. It was a presale he had a bin of 5 on ebay. Guess what PCGS did not give any out, the deal turned ugly quick. Enough said.

StampAlarm · April 15, 2007 6:55AM

There's several web sites for him (them). One is Fast Coin. I was under the impression that SR. was no longer dealing in coins. And I've seen one of them's..sic...name appear in the ANA mag from time to time.

Jerry

BarryStuppler · October 17, 2008 9:21AM

I have known Joel Rettew for over 40 years, and was his partner back in the late 1960's. He is a dedicated numismatist and an ethical dealer and it was my pleasure to award him the ANA Presidential award in August 2008, at the ANA convention in Baltimore. Joel and Barbara have been very active in helping the ANA increase membership and encourage the ANA to provide more member benefits. I'm proud to call Joel Rettew my friend.

Barry Stuppler
President,
American Numismatic Association

MisterBungle · October 17, 2008 9:25AM

Geeze Barry!!

You joined the forum in February 2003 and this is the first thing
you have thought important enough to post about??

Welcome to the forum!!

~

STONE · October 17, 2008 9:28AM

Welcome to the boards Barry

RYK · October 17, 2008 9:33AM

I will only buy from the 2.7 dealers who get the Realone Seal of Approval™.

dwssws · October 17, 2008 9:39AM

congrats on your first post Barry

LindeDad · October 17, 2008 9:40AM

Isn't he FastCoin on here and eBay?

WinPitcher · October 17, 2008 9:43AM

Yes Barry but would you buy from him?

Oh and welcome to the boards.

Steve

pennyannie · October 17, 2008 9:45AM

I second that RYK!!

Dealers that sell a 70 before it is made, does not sound to ethical to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry · October 17, 2008 10:07AM

Sometimes dealers have a very different perspective on other dealers than we as collectors do.

And thanks for the welcome, but I've been around here a while

We use to have this "problem" in late 90s and early 00s on rec.collecting.coins when both Barry S. and I were active participants there.

DennisH · October 17, 2008 10:17AM

<< I have known Joel Rettew for over 40 years, and was his partner back in the late 1960's. He is a dedicated numismatist and an ethical dealer and it was my pleasure to award him the ANA Presidential award in August 2008, at the ANA convention in Baltimore. Joel and Barbara have been very active in helping the ANA increase membership and encourage the ANA to provide more member benefits. I'm proud to call Joel Rettew my friend.

Barry Stuppler
President,
American Numismatic Association >>

Welcome to the boards Barry!

I'm guessing that your positive comments are about Joel Sr?

fcloud · October 17, 2008 10:20AM

Wow, Barry, I'm honored to have you reply to my post with your first entry!

<< I have known Joel Rettew for over 40 years, and was his partner back in the late 1960's. He is a dedicated numismatist and an ethical dealer and it was my pleasure to award him the ANA Presidential award in August 2008, at the ANA convention in Baltimore. Joel and Barbara have been very active in helping the ANA increase membership and encourage the ANA to provide more member benefits. I'm proud to call Joel Rettew my friend.

Barry Stuppler
President,
American Numismatic Association >>

baddogss · October 17, 2008 10:26AM

<< I have known Joel Rettew for over 40 years, and was his partner back in the late 1960's. He is a dedicated numismatist and an ethical dealer and it was my pleasure to award him the ANA Presidential award in August 2008, at the ANA convention in Baltimore. Joel and Barbara have been very active in helping the ANA increase membership and encourage the ANA to provide more member benefits. I'm proud to call Joel Rettew my friend.

Barry Stuppler
President,
American Numismatic Association >>

Barry, welcome to the boards! I'm thankful the work you do.

RYK · October 17, 2008 2:07PM

<< Sometimes dealers have a very different perspective on other dealers than we as collectors do.

And thanks for the welcome, but I've been around here a while

We use to have this "problem" in late 90s and early 00s on rec.collecting.coins when both Barry S. and I were active participants there. >>

Barry, we are going to have to start referring to you as "the other Barry" or maybe you should just change your name completely.

Swampboy · October 17, 2008 3:12PM

Hey BarryS. ,

mike92694 · October 17, 2008 6:07PM

<< I have known Joel Rettew for over 40 years, and was his partner back in the late 1960's. He is a dedicated numismatist and an ethical dealer and it was my pleasure to award him the ANA Presidential award in August 2008, at the ANA convention in Baltimore. Joel and Barbara have been very active in helping the ANA increase membership and encourage the ANA to provide more member benefits. I'm proud to call Joel Rettew my friend.

Barry Stuppler
President,
American Numismatic Association >>

Here is my opinion regarding Joel Rettew (Sr).

During the summer of 1995 or 1996 (I can't remember which), I had a sudden urge to start collecting coins. Don't ask me why, but all of a sudden, I had this urge. So I found Mr. Rettew in the Yellow Pages. I telephoned him and asked what his hours were. He answered, and I went to his store the following day. I purchased a small proof 1/10 oz gold eagle (which I actually still have, or at least I think I do), as well as a Red Book. Mr. Rettew also noted his name in the Red Book.

Thereafter, I continously visited his store, approximately once a month or so. For the next few years, I continually bought coins from him. Started off with the simple items like common date Morgans in MS63, then worked my way to the expensive stuff like 3-legged buffalo nickels and other key date items. For some reason, I only bought certified coins from him, although I did buy some raw currency at low prices (under $100).

In any case, there came a time when Mr. Rettew closed his store. Before he closed his store, he introduced me to Mr. Rettew Jr. At first, Mr. Rettew Jr. and I got along fairly well. After Sr. closed his store, I dealt with Jr. for a few months in Jr's smaller store. But it really never was the same again. Mr. Rettew Sr. had a really nice big store which really made me feel welcome, whereas I never got that same feeling with Jr. (although Jr. was nice).

Professionally speaking, I find Mr. Rettew Sr. to have been of the utmost professional when I dealt with him. However, I had some "interesting" dealings with Jr., of which I will not discuss here.

ILikeMercs · October 17, 2008 8:06PM

<< Comments from 2002 would certainly be applicable today. Current or previous membership in coin organizations is by no means the only criteria in evaluating a dealer. The ONLY organization that has any teeth and criteria to enter is the PNG. But nothing is fool proof.

David Hall worked for Rettew in the 1970's. I can still recall getting those flashy (for the time) Rettew catalogs such as the Great Eastern Collection (included many then finest known seated dime rarities).

roadrunner >>

ask Fletcher if that would be true. Darin5 ring a bell? A 6 yo critique....LoL

PS I know this thread started over a year ago. And no offense to THIS dealer, either.

oreville · October 17, 2008 9:45PM

I bought one coin from Fast Coins a few years ago and the whole premise of Fast Coins was to emphasize cheap prices.

The quality of the coins were, as expected, substandard for the PCGS slabbed grade.

Commercial quality grading at best. I had perused other collectors purchases from them after mine and it was more of the same. I was quite disappointed.

I will not buy from them again.

Just my own honest opinion.

Barry · October 17, 2008 10:18PM

<< Barry, we are going to have to start referring to you as "the other Barry" or maybe you should just change your name completely.

>>

I was here first, so he can be the "other Barry."

It's a moot point if he continues making one post every 6 years.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 17, 2008 10:56PM

Can I get your opinons on Joel Rettew (California Dealer)

Opinions are like ______________
expressing them makes me feel like one.

WinPitcher · October 18, 2008 12:15AM

And thanks for the welcome, but I've been around here a while

NS, I was welcoming Barry Stuppler.

Steve

Can I get your opinons on Joel Rettew (California Dealer)

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