How do you cherrypick/variety search at a coin show?

Barry

Just wondering...
I recently starting collecting capped bust dimes, and first thing I did was buy the (JRCS) book. As I've never collected varities in the past, I wonder how you guys who look for varieties (Sheldon, JR, VAM, etc.) do it at a show? It's one thing looking at a picutre online or in a catalog. You can take all the time you want. However, at a show it has to be different. Do you sit at a dealer's table with your variety bible open in front of you, and go through the coins one by one? I would think a dealer (and prospective buyers) would get tired of one person sitting there too long.

cointagious

<< <i>Do you sit at a dealer's table with your variety bible open in front of you, and go through the coins one by one? >>



that's how many dealers 'research' their stock.




<< <i>I would think a dealer (and prospective buyers) would get tired of one person sitting there too long >>



if you're spending real money, most will let you sit there all weekend.

Russ

<< <i>I would think a dealer (and prospective buyers) would get tired of one person sitting there too long. >>



Screw 'em.

Dealers only get tired of it if you don't buy anything. As for other buyers, well hell, they just should have got there first!

Russ, NCNE

jonesy

I hear ya Russ!!
Glenn

Max

The whole cherrypicking for odd varieties is alien to me. Is there really a demand for say 1872 Seated Half Dimes with a repunched "7"? Do collectors/dealers expect there to be a premium when buying/selling? Just curious.

Barry

For the right people, absolutely. You just have to look in the specialty socieiteis for them. For example, I sold an 1838 partial drapery dime on Ebay recently. This may not be a good example, as it's listed in Redbook on its own. However, I thought I'd get $30 for it. I wound up getting about $170 for it. Someone really wanted it!

lathmach

<< <i>The whole cherrypicking for odd varieties is alien to me. Is there really a demand for say 1872 Seated Half Dimes with a repunched "7"? Do collectors/dealers expect there to be a premium when buying/selling? Just curious. >>



You bet there's a demand for varieties.

Ray

coinkat

This is a tough call. I don't think it is a good idea to camp out at a dealers table with books everywhere. It is best to use alittle common sense and show some respect for the dealer as well as the other collectors that are there for the same reason you are and that is to buy coins. Having said that and with certain coins, it is very hard to confirm certain varieties without help. Afew suggestions:

1. Take a good look at the coin and make mental notes or even written notes about the variety. Ask the dealer to hold the coin for a brief period, leave the table and look in your reference books and see if a determination can be made. Several dealers are willing to hold a coin for 10-20 minutes.

2. If it is a larger show and you know someone that can help you, seek the opinion of that person.

Coinosaurus

There's definitely a demand for varieties. lathmach happens to have a certain 1844-O quarter I am very interested in

As for carrying books to a table and cherrypicking, that can get dealers really POed in a hurry. If you are truly a specialist in a particular series, you don't need the book in front of you when you look through stock. So, my advice is to look at a LOT of coins and study the book until you have it practically memorized. It's not easy, but if cherrypicking were that easy, that would be nothing left to cherrypick

coiNuts

Just like knowing which dates are better dates, and what is conditionaly rare........you need to do your homework for varities........many coins have PUP (pick up points) such as Morgan dollars - date, ear, eagle's tailfeathers......then after you learn which dates have which variety, you know where to look.
I just sold a shield nickel in an ANACS MS62 holder 1866.......about $200 in greysheet......for $1000 with Buy it Now on Ebay...........I love varieties.

MrEureka

You can look the coin up while at the dealer's table, but try not to block other customers from viewing the dealer's showcases. Step off to the side and take your time.

SethChandler

Memorize the book, get the "eye", and understand value. It makes the process stealthlike.

Seth

cladking

Anytime you consult a list or a book at a show you are likely
to end up paying the highest retail price. This may not be
important if you're cherry-picking a rare expensive variety at
a common variety price, but it is if you're buying other things.
It's best to memorize as much as possible and will also serve
to help you look much faster.

Conder101

Study your books and make up "cheat sheets" that cover the rarer or more valuable varieties. Then just use the sheets if all you are doing is cherry picking. this has another advantage. Some dealers will either quote a higher price or even refuse to sell to someone using a standard reference because they "Don't want to get cherry picked." but have no objections to someone who is just "consulting their notes."

In Barry's case it would be best to have the notes cover all of the varieties and just have the book available if he needs it. this has the avdantage that the notes will usually be lighter in weight than the book and it probably will not raise objections with the dealer.

If you do use the book or notes DO NOT cover the dealers case or display with them. This will really tick them off.

jbsteven

I would and do encourage someone looking through my stock for varieties as long as they are polite if someone else wants to look at the cases where they are sitting. I will look for varieties in my own stock on occasion and if I find it I will price it accordingly. If I miss the variety and have it marked for the price I want to sell it for then they get it for the price I want. I will have made my money on the coin and hopefully they will too. Every sale counts and if someone can cherrypick me then great one more sale!

kranky

I really like Conder's idea. I have been to shows where people pull up a chair and spread out their reference books, oblivious to the other customers who might want to look at some coins. (Of course, some vest pocket dealers do the same thing - covering display cases with briefcases full of coins they want to sell.)

While it might sound like a lot of work to make a set of notes describing varieties, it really wouldn't be and you'd learn a lot just from doing it. It would be pretty easy to write a few words to remind you of the available varieties, like "71s 1c Pf dbl IGWT" that would remind you that the 1971-s proof Lincolns have a variety with a doubled In God We Trust.

And I agree with Conder that if you are "consulting your notes" you attract a lot less attention than someone who pulls out reference books.

kobrakoins

I go throw bins and look for rare coins.So far so good

seanq

In general I agree that you are much better off carrying hand-written or typed notes. When I first started out collecting CPG varieties I would occasionally get glared at or "those have all been gone through" brush-offs when dealers would spot the book - even if I hadn't opened it. The again, a couple of guys would wait until after I'd paid then ask "So, just what did you find there, anyway?"

A couple of other general cherrypicking etiquette tip I try to follow - if you find a nice rip, don't go crazy haggling with the dealer on the price, and try to keep a poker face as you're looking. No dealer wants to fight over $5 only to hear you bragging about your $500 rip to the guy at the next table.


Sean Reynolds