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Advice on buying non Ebay PCGS slabs.

Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Anyone know some good web sites or dealers to buy PCGS slabs from? I want to start buying stuff from places other than Ebay and would like reliable and competitively priced alternatives. I check the buy/sell/trade forums, not sure who is best there... any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Rob the Newbie
Rob the Newbie

Comments

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Why just PCGS? Kinda limiting yourself, aren't you? You know, the holders do have coins in them...
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,289 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well that depends on what series of coins you are looking for. I can tell you that I buy a lot from the BST and have only had one bad buy there.

    Chris
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,336 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Always buy the coin first and the holder second. Always.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Why just PCGS? Kinda limiting yourself, aren't you? You know, the holders do have coins in them... >>


    Well, I am a beginner and I am not good at grading and I thought sight unseen that pcgs coins were the best to buy. I really don't think I am good enough yet to grade coins. I have a lot of coins but I have only bought PCGS... I still have lots to learn sir.

    Rob the Newbie
    Rob the Newbie
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    I think airplanenut was being a little hard on you.

    There are so many dealers who carry quality items - like coinbuf said, what types of coins are you looking for? That would help in pointing you in the right direction.

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭
    My favorites to collect are Standing Liberty Quarters, Indian Head pennies, Franklin halves, working on a PR69DCAM collection of modern jeffersons. I just love Cameo nickels... I also like Morgans, I have two good ones... an MS63 1883CC and the one I posted a picture of... some said it could go 65-66 and it is in its GSA container, I need to send it in for grading. I like lots of other stuff, but those are my favs.

    Rob the Newbie
    Rob the Newbie
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,991 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rob:

    As you're starting out on the learning curve, sticking to PCGS coins is a good way to go. They still make errors now and then, but marketplace acceptability tends to be higher for their coins than other grading services, so your 'mistakes' probably won't cost as much compared to making them with other holders.

    As time goes on, though, you'll learn the nuances of grading and become more comfortable judging the grading accuracy of coins in other holders, and you'll find there are some bargains to be had because some of the services are not held in high regard by the marketplace. OK, some of them are a joke... but every now and then they all get some right.

    Keep your eyes open, never be afraid to ask questions, and look at as many coins as you possibly can. You'll be amazed at how it will start to make some sense.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    Rob, may I suggest going to the "profile" link in the upper right corner of the page and turning on Allow Private Messages?

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd go out and buy some books on grading if I were you--the ANA's grading guide is an excellent resource. Even if a coin is holdered, it can still be a PQ, dog, or normal coin. In your case I'd probably limit purchasing to PCGS, NGC, and ANACS--all three can be trusted. While you're at it, work on grading skills. It'll help. Limiting to just PCGS will hurt overall. I'm still kicking myself over missed coins from the year I spent buying just PCGS.
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭
    Ok then, all good advice and I thank you. Any recommendations then on reputable dealers websites where I can see pictures of coins from all grading companies. I am looking for a site that is competative with its pricing and is honest.
    Rob the Newbie.
    Rob the Newbie
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,289 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Rob, I can think of a couple right off, try JJ Teaparty and Mike Dixon. While I would'nt consider either cheap for prices both are well respected dealers. Also try Eagle Eye for the IHC's, he is the best I know in that area. To help with compairisons check the Heritage closed auctions. Thay have great big pics of just about any coin known to man in just about every grade.

    Chris
    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭
    Thanks Coinbuf. I will look for their websites.

    Rob the Newbie
    Rob the Newbie
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Also remember, you get what you pay for. If you want a cheap coin, you likely won't be getting something as nice as paying a premium for the coin. Not all coins that grade the same are equal.
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • slideridersliderider Posts: 1,834
    Teletrade, Heritage, David Lawrence, there's a lot of dealers who carry certified coins. A good place to start is the PCGS website under their list of affiliated dealers.
    image
    image
  • dorkkarldorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭
    instead of worrying so much about the pcgs slab, why don't you begin buying your coins sight-seen?

    K S
  • Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭


    << <i>instead of worrying so much about the pcgs slab, why don't you begin buying your coins sight-seen? >>



    My biggest fear is that I will buy a coin that has been cleaned. I see so many posts about even experts whos coins they buy have been cleaned. Even some returned from the grading companies. I have been studying my "Photograde" book by Whitman and am learning a little about grading. Unfortunately there is only one store in town that has coins that I can go look at. Problem is it is a pawn shop with three employees and they all smoke. The place is aweful, I can hardly breath in there, hehe.

    I will keep reading as much as I can and hopefully learn more about how to spot cleaned coins.

    Thanks everyone,

    Rob the Newbie
    Rob the Newbie

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