Don't it suck when...

Cladiator

The one and only coin shop in your area specializes in "Lord of the Ring coins, Peter Pan coins, Marilyn Monroe coins, Pokemon coins, John Wayne coins, Peanuts coins, Toothfairy coins and Harry Potter coins". Oh yeah, they also refust to carry PCGS slabbed coins. ugh

nepbrs44

BillJones

Well if you are ignorant about the coin business, even messing around with certified material can be very risky. Messing around with “Lord of the Rings” and “Peter Pan” can be risky too if those pieces are made of silver and the price drops. Still the downside is still a whole lower than it can be if you pay a good price for a stinky coin in a slab.

Besides as a collector I found that it often was not too much fun to buy from ignorant people. Sure you might get a "rip" now and then, but most of time the stuff was overpriced.

Cladiator

I just hate having to drive 60 miles to find a coin shop that has actual coins.

JadeRareCoin

cladiator, that place sounds more like a trinket shop as opposed to a coin shop. That statement was not meant to be derrogatory, since some people collect Lord of the Rings tokens. Still, it sounds pretty boring to me!

hamiltonjh

At least you have a coin shop to drive to.

I gotta do all my business via internet. Cant put eyes on a "real" coin. gotta go off descriptions and pix.

Be glad you got a shop to go to.

islemangu

hamiltonjh said it right, at least you can drive instead of fly to your shop (no offense airplanenut but Its painful as a 6'3" sardine in the back)

291fifth

The truth is that there are very few worthwhile coin shops left. The internet is where the future of collecting lies.

hamiltonjh

<< <i>The truth is that there are very few worthwhile coin shops left. The internet is where the future of collecting lies. >>



The internet may be the future. But, until one can go to coin shops or shows and actually see coins, discuss them and learn about them can they become an expert on that series, in my opinion. Yes, you can get book smart and know all the terminology, but that doesnt compare to holding a coin, looking at it under a magnifying glass and discussing why it's MSXX or whatever.

I dont have that ability yet, so workin off the internet, while convenient, sometimes brings me less that desireable coins or coins with not quite the eye appeal I thought they'd have by lookin at the picture/grade.

Prometheus183

After relocating to where we are now I was using the internet for all my purchases, since there wasn't a coin shop within 50 miles. I finally broke down and went on "the hunt" in Salt Lake City (100 mile drive). I was begining to get depressed after the third shop. Junk raws, overpriced slabs, and attitudes that didn't exactly leave you with that warm welcome feeling.
Last shop on my list should have been the first. I walked up to the door and read the sign "Ring for Entry". I pressed the button and was buzzed in the first glass door, then the second, and once inside the first thing I notice is the owner with a 357 Magnum strapped to his side. I got the feeling he's not about to take lightly to attempted robbery, and instantly I like this guy.
One of his people spent about an hour with me, walking me through both levels of the place, showing me anything I wanted to see, and even laid examples out together, pointing out the differences. They have absolutely no junk on display, and are negotioable on prices. They even treated kids as if they were there to spend thousands, taking the time to educate them,... I thought "These are the people I want to deal with". It's a relaxing and welcoming experience, and down right fun. I'm glad I found these folks, and it's funny how the idea of that 208 mile round trip drive doesn't seem to bother me as much anymore.

Craig

1907Quarter

Craig-
I will make a 3hr roundtrip on nights I want to get to some really dark skies for a night of astronomy. Surely you can plan a day off to go to this guy. Plan your purchases (wish lists) in advance, talk to him on the phone prior to your arrival. He can select stuff for you in advance, and you can make a day of it! It's great to have a dealer like the one you describe!

Sandhawk

Hey Craig,

I've been to that shop you are talking about in Salt Lake when I was there on business. I think it is called Monarch Coin, and it is one of the best shops I have been to. They have a large selection of certified type coins and are very nice people to deal with.