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Where do you buy/acquire your coins?

RB1026RB1026 Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Just for fun... I am curious where everyone finds the coins they are looking for during the pandemic. Without giving away any of your secrets or inside info (ie specific names) ;) , answer with as many sources as you use. Include others not mentioned if you can. Let's see how our hobby is moving these days.

Local Dealer(s)
eBay
Auction(s)
Coin Shows (we wish, right?)
Online Dealer(s)
PCGS BST
Hobby Publications
Coin Forum(s)
Coin Club(s)
US Mint
Foreign Mint(s)

???????

Comments

  • KyleKyle Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭✭✭

    eBay mostly. The odd time I'll buy from the BST or GC.

    Successful BST Transactions With: tonedase, streg2, airplanenut, coindeuce, vibr0nic, natetrook, Shrub68, golden, Lakesammman, drddm, Ilikecolor, CoinJunkie, wondercoin, lablover
  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I buy odd lots off ebay to break up.

    Cherrypick here and there...

    Mostly a seller of my accumulated stuff.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • 1630Boston1630Boston Posts: 14,111 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Seriously, local dealer :)

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Tooth Fairy :*

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 6,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 26, 2021 2:29PM

    eBay, online dealers and BST here on the forums. Also the Coinstar reject slot in the rare event that I go to a physical store.

    Mr_Spud

  • bigmarty58bigmarty58 Posts: 2,002 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Auctions, dealers, and eBay in that order.

    Enthusiastic collector of British pre-decimal and Canadian decimal circulation coins.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,814 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Mr_Spud said:
    eBay, online dealers and BST here on the forums.

    Ditto.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • MWallaceMWallace Posts: 4,337 ✭✭✭✭✭

    eBay
    Online from a few dealers that I like, mostly from Northeast Numismatics
    BST

    http://www.SmallDollars.com
  • LazybonesLazybones Posts: 1,528 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would like to buy on the BS&T but it's a tad thin over there right now for pre-33 gold.

    USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.

  • nagsnags Posts: 821 ✭✭✭✭

    Non-eBay auctions for the majority. I haven’t purchased a coin from eBay in years. Not many dealers or shows in my area.

  • TurtleCatTurtleCat Posts: 4,628 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 26, 2021 2:37PM

    At this point in time but in no particular order...

    • DLRC
    • Heritage
    • Local coin show
    • Sometimes the US mint
    • Ebay
  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,663 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay
    Vcoins
    Various Online Dealers
    Sometimes BST on Here

  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,571 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay, Great Collections, a few forum friends and various online dealers I trust. Used to buy largely from BST, but for my needs it is mostly modern and WTB's rather than WTS's. Haven't seen an early 1900's coin in a while on the BST, which may only mean I missed one, but guarantee there hasn't been many. It's a shame, because 4 or 5 years ago, I bought most of my coins there.
    Jim


    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 7,001 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay and auction houses
    tried to do BST, but they usually do not have what I am looking for in Kennedy upgrades but still try it on and off again.

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • coinnutcoinnut Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Auctions
    eBay
    Coin shows

  • pointfivezeropointfivezero Posts: 1,875 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thought it might be easier just to display my Bookmarks (plus Ebay, BST, APMEX and my local B&M)

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,554 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In the past I've relied mostly on the BST and the Baltimore Whitman Coin Expo three times a year...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • Joe_360Joe_360 Posts: 1,781 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 26, 2021 4:17PM

    List
    Was mostly coin shows with an occasional ebay purchase
    Now it's auction (hate myself for that) and an occasional ebay purchase
    The US Mint
    Because of no shows, I went to a coin shop to close out my State Quarter book needs
    Great luck at coin-stars, but those are not bought

    Banks and local stores for W quarters for collecting and flipping...
    Banks for roll searching

    Never bought off the TV, but pull out my CC once....

  • koynekwestkoynekwest Posts: 10,048 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Mostly online-ebay and some select dealers and occasionally the US Mint. I also visit a couple of local dealers but not so much since the advent of the pandemic.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,773 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 26, 2021 4:27PM

    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • d9lowed9lowe Posts: 312 ✭✭✭✭

    @pointfivezero said:
    Thought it might be easier just to display my Bookmarks (plus Ebay, BST, APMEX and my local B&M)

    Why you have to black out all the porn sites?? Lol

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,991 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just about everywhere that is listed above.

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I buy infrequently, proportionately most often from auctions and occasionally from eBay. I have seldom bought from dealers, except through eBay, as only a few will on occasion have something I want to buy.

  • d9lowed9lowe Posts: 312 ✭✭✭✭

    I don't use Ebay anymore due to the mandatory sales tax on purchases. These days its GC, DLRC, Coast to Coast

  • bearcavebearcave Posts: 3,996 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Auctions and ebay.

    Ken
  • 3stars3stars Posts: 2,294 ✭✭✭✭✭

    a guy who knows a guy, I think his name is Vito.

    Previous transactions: Wondercoin, goldman86, dmarks, Type2
  • clarkbar04clarkbar04 Posts: 4,979 ✭✭✭✭✭

    99.9% of the time its ebay for me.

    MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.
  • nagsnags Posts: 821 ✭✭✭✭

    @Crypto said:
    Dig them out fountain in Columbus Circle. That’s where all the good stuff is

    Don’t forget the convenience store parking lot.

  • Tom147Tom147 Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭✭✭

    eBay, GC, on line dealers and a few purchases from Heritage. Probably in that order.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,722 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:
    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    I'm with you, Bill. I always seem to get run up in auctions..........And if I don't bid, then the winner gets it for a steal! At least, that's what it seems like. :/ Lose either way. I, too, prefer buying from dealers.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • Tom147Tom147 Posts: 1,485 ✭✭✭✭✭ 
    No big surprises or hidden away sources unfortunately.
  • yspsalesyspsales Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Someday, hopefully early 2022, I will be completely debt free.

    Then enjoy the freedom and funds to hit several major shows, small shows, dealers, gold buyers, collections etc...

    Currently, my ebay store hums along with sports cards and anything I find on weekends.

    BST: KindaNewish (3/21/21), WQuarterFreddie (3/30/21), Meltdown (4/6/21), DBSTrader2 (5/5/21) AKA- unclemonkey on Blow Out

  • pointfivezeropointfivezero Posts: 1,875 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @d9lowe said:

    @pointfivezero said:
    Thought it might be easier just to display my Bookmarks (plus Ebay, BST, APMEX and my local B&M)

    Why you have to black out all the porn sites?? Lol

    LOL - Not hardly, mostly firearms and the like.....

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No dealers or shows here. The gun shows have some limited coins...usually overpriced. Antique shops - rarely a bargain. BST is good. Cheers, RickO

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:

    @BillJones said:
    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    I'm with you, Bill. I always seem to get run up in auctions..........And if I don't bid, then the winner gets it for a steal! At least, that's what it seems like. :/ Lose either way. I, too, prefer buying from dealers.

    I have had it go both ways. I have bought coins from dealers (directly or through eBay) where I was willing to pay more.

    But more often for what I buy, I'd rather compete directly against the dealer at auction and buy it for less. If I really want the coin, I can outbid them since they need to mark it up to "retail". That's where they usually get the coin anyway, though seems to be somewhat less more recently since my focus has narrowed.

  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,401 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Lots of places though I have to say B&Ms are really fun. I like talking to the dealers and seeing what other collectors bring in.

    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 27, 2021 3:56PM

    @WCC said:

    @Walkerfan said:

    @BillJones said:
    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    I'm with you, Bill. I always seem to get run up in auctions..........And if I don't bid, then the winner gets it for a steal! At least, that's what it seems like. :/ Lose either way. I, too, prefer buying from dealers.

    I have had it go both ways. I have bought coins from dealers (directly or through eBay) where I was willing to pay more.

    But more often for what I buy, I'd rather compete directly against the dealer at auction and buy it for less. If I really want the coin, I can outbid them since they need to mark it up to "retail". That's where they usually get the coin anyway, though seems to be somewhat less more recently since my focus has narrowed.

    Personally, I know a few dealers who purchase some real quality stuff for wholesale or below, then sell it reasonably. Those are the dealers that I like to buy from. It just takes patience and perseverance. Sure, there are also some heavy-duty, retail dealers who are buying super low from people who are desperate for cash and selling for retail ++ and above but I, seriously, try to avoid those snakes, unless I REALLY NEED that coin. I've bought from a few like that but it was a one-time, stars-and-moon-aligning, type of deal, because the coin was special, and it never happened again. Also, you are correct that dealers purchase a lot through the auctions, too, but so do COLLECTORS and those are the dudes that aren't afraid to pay moon-money and for whom you must watch out.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,814 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Various parking lots.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,765 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Shows, online

    Investor
  • SilverProofQuarter1883SilverProofQuarter1883 Posts: 1,871 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Mostly EBay, Coin shows, and Falmouth Stamp & Coin

  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,861 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Ebay, J.J. Teaparty, Gerry Fortin, Brian Greer, Westcoast coins, and a host of other online dealers.

    image
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,773 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WCC said:

    @Walkerfan said:

    @BillJones said:
    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    I'm with you, Bill. I always seem to get run up in auctions..........And if I don't bid, then the winner gets it for a steal! At least, that's what it seems like. :/ Lose either way. I, too, prefer buying from dealers.

    I have had it go both ways. I have bought coins from dealers (directly or through eBay) where I was willing to pay more.

    But more often for what I buy, I'd rather compete directly against the dealer at auction and buy it for less. If I really want the coin, I can outbid them since they need to mark it up to "retail". That's where they usually get the coin anyway, though seems to be somewhat less more recently since my focus has narrowed.

    It’s been my experience that a lot of these auctions end up at beyond retail. Most of these bidders seem to ignore the fact that there is a 20% buyers’ fee.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • olympicsosolympicsos Posts: 889 ✭✭✭✭
    edited February 28, 2021 6:40AM

    The nice thing about meeting with dealers is you get to build relationships that you can't build bidding on ebay/Hertiage and other online ways of buying coins.

  • WCCWCC Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:

    @WCC said:

    @Walkerfan said:

    @BillJones said:
    Selected dealers and, unfortunately, auctions where I usually get beat up or end up paying too much if I win. I have had the Heritage “make an offer the owner” work once, and was happy with the results.

    I much prefer buying from dealers over auction because that’s it. The coin is mine with no hassles.

    I'm with you, Bill. I always seem to get run up in auctions..........And if I don't bid, then the winner gets it for a steal! At least, that's what it seems like. :/ Lose either way. I, too, prefer buying from dealers.

    I have had it go both ways. I have bought coins from dealers (directly or through eBay) where I was willing to pay more.

    But more often for what I buy, I'd rather compete directly against the dealer at auction and buy it for less. If I really want the coin, I can outbid them since they need to mark it up to "retail". That's where they usually get the coin anyway, though seems to be somewhat less more recently since my focus has narrowed.

    It’s been my experience that a lot of these auctions end up at beyond retail. Most of these bidders seem to ignore the fact that there is a 20% buyers’ fee.

    This is the US coin side of the forum and my buying is of a very hard to find Spanish colonial series. If I were buying US, I expect my experience would resemble other posts here.

    For the coins I buy, there is no retail, since most of the time there is literally either no public sale of the coin for anywhere near the quality I am buying or if it happened at all, it was a long time ago and I am not aware of it.

    My buying is normally in the $250 to $1200 range with a few occasional coins above it. Modest price point by US coin standards but going by the sentiments I read, it's evident most collectors don't feel comfortable buying anything above very low price points without having a better indication of value.

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