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What is the dumbest thing you have ever heard a collector say?

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  • Buy the holder not the coin

    I just put it together from scratch. California Coins
    Vintage site: JayCoinShop.com (Both same stuff just different flavors?) #numismaticmetals
    Make some stupid offers now. https://collectorscorner.com/dealer/default.aspx?dealerId=1045&pt=1

  • WinLoseWinWinLoseWin Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Buy the cricket, not the coin.

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "I'm going to buy [Insert Expensive Rare Coins here] as an investment and sell it for several times what I paid when I hit retirement age"... or something like that...

    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.
  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:
    "I'm going to buy [Insert Expensive Rare Coins here] as an investment and sell it for several times what I paid when I hit retirement age"... or something like that...

    That is not funny.

  • DCWDCW Posts: 7,330 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WinLoseWin said:
    Buy the cricket, not the coin.

    I wonder where that slab is now? Did a forum member buy it? :D

    Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
    "Coin collecting for outcasts..."

  • NapNap Posts: 1,726 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Guy shows a recently broken coin to a dealer, removed from a plastic sandwich bag

    “Do you think I can glue this back together and sell it?”

    Dealer shakes his head and says it’s not worth it.

    Guy dejectedly puts the sandwich bag and broken coin back into his pants pocket

    Dumb things I’ve said or thought-
    “Honey, do you think I should bid on this?”
    “The damage isn’t that bad…”
    “Forgot I had one already”
    “No way I’m losing this”

  • QCCoinGuyQCCoinGuy Posts: 333 ✭✭✭✭

    Collector asks me what I want for a particular coin. I give him a number. He asks for an additional five dollars off.

    My response is always, “that five dollars isn’t going to make or break either one of us.” When I quote a price, that’s the price.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,190 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Manifest_Destiny said:

    @Tonedeaf said:
    I can stop buying coins any time I want.

    This is true, I've stopped dozens of times.

    I stop each day right before bedtime. :D

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DisneyFan said:

    @lkenefic said:
    "I'm going to buy [Insert Expensive Rare Coins here] as an investment and sell it for several times what I paid when I hit retirement age"... or something like that...

    That is not funny.

    Not funny, but it is rather dumb... which is what was specified in the OP.

    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.
  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:

    @DisneyFan said:

    @lkenefic said:
    "I'm going to buy [Insert Expensive Rare Coins here] as an investment and sell it for several times what I paid when I hit retirement age"... or something like that...

    That is not funny.

    Not funny, but it is rather dumb... which is what was specified in the OP.

    It didn't seem so dumb back in 1974 when collectors read the 208 pages of Bowers' "High Profits from Rare Coin Investment" and later versions.

    Unfortunately, the coin market has had it's ups and downs.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 11, 2024 10:50AM

    A guy asked a price for a slabbed PCGS 65 Oregon. / I replied two fifty ($250) - he put $2.50 on the table. I told him to get lost.

    Coins & Currency
  • Farmer1961Farmer1961 Posts: 167 ✭✭✭

    All my coins have "full mint bloom"

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,167 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinshop said:
    Buy the holder not the coin

    Buy the CAC not the coin.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 12, 2024 5:21AM

    There was another that explicitly stated that cracking any CAC coin hoping for an upgrade was tantamount to committing fraud.

  • mikee999mikee999 Posts: 619 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I Cannot Grade, I’ll stick to ICG slabs.

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DisneyFan said:

    @lkenefic said:

    @DisneyFan said:

    @lkenefic said:
    "I'm going to buy [Insert Expensive Rare Coins here] as an investment and sell it for several times what I paid when I hit retirement age"... or something like that...

    That is not funny.

    Not funny, but it is rather dumb... which is what was specified in the OP.

    It didn't seem so dumb back in 1974 when collectors read the 208 pages of Bowers' "High Profits from Rare Coin Investment" and later versions.

    Unfortunately, the coin market has had it's ups and downs.

    Those were my early collecting days and I was quite young. Fast forward some 50 years and coins as a retirement investment just seems a little ill-advised. My approach to this hobby is that it's largely disposable income for me fuelling it. .. part of my Entertainment budget. I'm enjoying my coins while I have them, and I'll likely sell off some in the future to fund other numismatic projects but I'm under no illusion that my coin collection is going to sustain me in retirement.

    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.
  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lkenefic said:

    I'm enjoying my coins while I have them, and I'll likely sell off some in the future to fund other numismatic projects but I'm under no illusion that my coin collection is going to sustain me in retirement.

    Glad you are enjoying it.

  • blitzdudeblitzdude Posts: 5,905 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry! Gotta go home and polish me cracs stickers.

    The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.

  • The_Dinosaur_ManThe_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 950 ✭✭✭✭✭

    After being shown a genuine Trade Dollar with all weights measured by a dealer with 40+ years in the business, the visitor coming in with a counterfeit storms out shouting "you don't know your trade!"

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

  • PriceknightPriceknight Posts: 7
    edited February 13, 2024 8:54PM

    I just bought some “un-searched” shotgun rolls!

  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not what they say, it's how they look. 🤣 Sorry, couldn't resist! 😉

    Gotta go, my parole officer is at the door.

    Just say "NO" to crack... ing coins out of PCGS holders... :wink:

    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.
  • ARCOARCO Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 14, 2024 2:00PM

    Me at my coin first show - me, to dealer while holding a washed out, lifeless looking, white 1914-S Barber half at his booth - "is this coin original (not cleaned)."

    Dealer to me - "yes".

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,321 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 14, 2024 3:24PM

    I witnessed a novice collector who was looking at a 1923 Peace Dollar's $1975 price tag (NGC Star with rare, wild color) ask: "Is that the year it was made?" :D

    Maybe not "stupid" but VERY NAIVE.

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

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

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

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,150 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    I witnessed a novice collector who was looking at a 1923 Peace Dollar's $1975 price tag (NGC Star with rare, wild color) ask: "Is that the year it was made?" :D

    Maybe not "stupid" but VERY NAIVE.

    He just wanted to make sure it wasn't a more recent restrike. ;)

    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

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,321 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @Walkerfan said:
    I witnessed a novice collector who was looking at a 1923 Peace Dollar's $1975 price tag (NGC Star with rare, wild color) ask: "Is that the year it was made?" :D

    Maybe not "stupid" but VERY NAIVE.

    He just wanted to make sure it wasn't a more recent restrike. ;)

    Okay, we'll go with that! LOL :D

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

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

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

  • CoinCoinsCoinCoins Posts: 698 ✭✭✭

    a couple years ago a guy told me he saves every state quarter he gets so he can leave them for his grandkids

    i was like yeah that's really smart

  • bretsanbretsan Posts: 176 ✭✭✭

    @Tonedeaf said:
    I can stop buying coins any time I want.

    Lol, guilty as charged

  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,899 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "Do you sell coins here?"


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,342 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    It's not what they say, it's how they look. 🤣 Sorry, couldn't resist! 😉

    Gotta go, my parole officer is at the door.

    Crack kills!!!

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    He comes up to dealer table - tries to dictate price like he’s a know it all. Just tell him: that’s the lowest the consignor will go. Works like a charm

    Coins & Currency
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭✭

    I hope it's nothing I ever said... >_<

    WISHLIST
    D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
    Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
    74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
    73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
    95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭✭

    @JWP said:
    Do you sell coins here

    Nope! We're running a museum...and all the coins just so happen to have price tags on them! And those coin books and albums over there is our gift shop! Here's your sign...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ZkdHImCuQ

    WISHLIST
    D's: 54S,53P,50P,49S,45D+S,44S,43D,41S,40D+S,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
    Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
    74T: 37,38,47,151,193,241,435,570,610,654,655 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
    73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
    95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,519 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    He comes up to dealer table - tries to dictate price like he’s a know it all. Just tell him: that’s the lowest the consignor will go. Works like a charm

    So lie, instead of being truthful and just saying you don’t want to sell for less. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll pass.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,899 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @telephoto1 said:
    "Do you sell coins here?"

    It's a legitimate question for those dealers who have the same coins month after month after month....... :D

    If true, then he's still just a hobbyist and not a real dealer.


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • lermishlermish Posts: 2,925 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @telephoto1 said:
    "Do you sell coins here?"

    It's a legitimate question for those dealers who have the same coins month after month after month....... :D

    I'm going to a smallish local show today and this would be an excellent and legitimate question to ask.

  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,260 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    He comes up to dealer table - tries to dictate price like he’s a know it all. Just tell him: that’s the lowest the consignor will go. Works like a charm

    So lie, instead of being truthful and just saying you don’t want to sell for less. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll pass.

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them vey clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,899 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MrEureka said:

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them very clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    Agree. Happens all the time. They'll ask "what's your best price?" I tell them, and they'll still come back at me with a lower offer. I usually reply "You just asked me for my best price and $x is my best price. If you don't want it, that's fine but that's my net." I swear to God there are some folks who you could quote half of market value and they'd still counter you. Every dealer's had this happen at some point and knows they're a waste of time.


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,519 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MrEureka said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    He comes up to dealer table - tries to dictate price like he’s a know it all. Just tell him: that’s the lowest the consignor will go. Works like a charm

    So lie, instead of being truthful and just saying you don’t want to sell for less. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll pass.

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them vey clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    Of course, Andy and I agree, but I still held firm in a truthful manner.
    One time, many years ago, a dealer looked at a coin I had for sale and asked for my “best price”. I quoted my best price. Over the course of the next day and a half, he countered three different times and each time I declined. I finally told him I understood that he didn’t know me, but when I give my “best price”, that’s really my best price. He finally bought the coin at the original “best price” I’d quoted.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,150 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @telephoto1 said:

    @MrEureka said:

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them very clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    Agree. Happens all the time. They'll ask "what's your best price?" I tell them, and they'll still come back at me with a lower offer. I usually reply "You just asked me for my best price and $x is my best price. If you don't want it, that's fine but that's my net." I swear to God there are some folks who you could quote half of market value and they'd still counter you. Every dealer's had this happen at some point and knows they're a waste of time.

    When you ask a coin dealer for his best price, how often does that dealer actually give you his best price?

    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

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MrEureka said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    He comes up to dealer table - tries to dictate price like he’s a know it all. Just tell him: that’s the lowest the consignor will go. Works like a charm

    So lie, instead of being truthful and just saying you don’t want to sell for less. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll pass.

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them vey clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    When a coin is a nice coin; but, average for the grade, is a buyer really chiseling a dealer who has had a coin for a long time and the coin is 1 1/2X to 2Xs the price guide?

  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,899 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @telephoto1 said:

    @MrEureka said:

    Mark - Have you ever had a potential buyer keep chiseling even after you told them very clearly that you don't want to sell for any less? I have, and it gets old pretty quickly.

    Agree. Happens all the time. They'll ask "what's your best price?" I tell them, and they'll still come back at me with a lower offer. I usually reply "You just asked me for my best price and $x is my best price. If you don't want it, that's fine but that's my net." I swear to God there are some folks who you could quote half of market value and they'd still counter you. Every dealer's had this happen at some point and knows they're a waste of time.

    When you ask a coin dealer for his best price, how often does that dealer actually give you his best price?

    When someone asks me what my best price is, I assume they want my best price...so I tell them. I don't play games and I don't like others who want to play games with me. If they don't like my best price...oh well. I have other coins. And other buyers.


    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I was selling off part of my 7070 a little over 10 years ago and had a bunch of coins on the BST. I had someone interested in a Half Cent and gave him my "best price", which apparently wasn't low enough. I was then getting several IM's a day from him trying to talk me down further. I can't recall if I actually capitulated and sold it to him, or if another buyer came along, but I do remember the seemingly endless barrage of messages... for like... $20, $25??

    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: 1,698 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "This a rare Lincoln cent with no mint mark..."

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