Who's the most amazing dealer you know?
gyocomgd
Posts: 2,582 ✭✭✭
My favorite is an older fellow who lives in New York, just across the state line from me in Connecticut. He shows up at all the local shows and some of the larger ones--he just got back from Baltimore.
Why do I like him? First and foremost, he's a nice, helpful, fair fellow who enjoys telling the story behind a coin. Early in my collecting, he sold me a couple of coins that seemed pricey for the grade--and it was a grade he assigned, for I wasn't astute enough to go about it. As time went on and I learned more, he'd graded the coin very accurately, and his prices were very fair. I just saw him this morning; I never fail to stop by and bring him a cup of coffee.
He's been fantastically successful. As he's been collecting for upward of 50 years, he tells of making some phenomenal deals when coins weren' so expensive and then having the discipline to hold on to those coins until many of them skyrocketed in price. Examples: A long time ago (he told me the year, I've forgotten) he bought two BU rolls of $2.5 Indian gold coins, years 1926 and 1928. That's 80 coins. As he was buying in bulk, he paid $100 apiece for the coins, an outlay of $8,000. He still has them today, and if they average MS63, that means he's made well over $100,00 on his investment (for every MS62 there's an MS64, adjust the price and you'll see what I mean).
He tells of the days when 1921-S Buffalo nickels were plentiful--not in high grade, of course, but very easy to find in AU and XF. He hoarded them.
He's more of a hobbyist than a dealer, really, and therein lies his secret, I think. Through his knowledge he made some great investments, and gradually grew until the commerce end became a viable operation. His name is Gary Fitzgerald. If you're at a show in this neck of the woods, you might want to look him up.
Why do I like him? First and foremost, he's a nice, helpful, fair fellow who enjoys telling the story behind a coin. Early in my collecting, he sold me a couple of coins that seemed pricey for the grade--and it was a grade he assigned, for I wasn't astute enough to go about it. As time went on and I learned more, he'd graded the coin very accurately, and his prices were very fair. I just saw him this morning; I never fail to stop by and bring him a cup of coffee.
He's been fantastically successful. As he's been collecting for upward of 50 years, he tells of making some phenomenal deals when coins weren' so expensive and then having the discipline to hold on to those coins until many of them skyrocketed in price. Examples: A long time ago (he told me the year, I've forgotten) he bought two BU rolls of $2.5 Indian gold coins, years 1926 and 1928. That's 80 coins. As he was buying in bulk, he paid $100 apiece for the coins, an outlay of $8,000. He still has them today, and if they average MS63, that means he's made well over $100,00 on his investment (for every MS62 there's an MS64, adjust the price and you'll see what I mean).
He tells of the days when 1921-S Buffalo nickels were plentiful--not in high grade, of course, but very easy to find in AU and XF. He hoarded them.
He's more of a hobbyist than a dealer, really, and therein lies his secret, I think. Through his knowledge he made some great investments, and gradually grew until the commerce end became a viable operation. His name is Gary Fitzgerald. If you're at a show in this neck of the woods, you might want to look him up.
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Comments
The best Dealers I have dealt with online are Legend and Albanese. Got a Peace Dollar coming from American Numismatic Rarities, they seem to be one of the greats also.
PS - this dealer of yours sounds like a great guy. If there was someone like him in my area ( Delaware) - I'd be a customer.
Russ, NCNE
have taken the time to share emails, suggest coins to buy,
and treat me very nicely.
He always treats me right when we deal and he makes sure I get a coin that's right for my collection and not one that is going to necessarily make him the most profit.
the biggest bribe to praise them.
Camelot
Darin Whittaker (BigD5) who also takes the time to respond, educate
and assist. I like his coins, he's fair, all that good stuff.
2. Mike P. at Larry Whitlow
3. Larry Shepard
rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
For these folks Southern Gold is more than a business, it's a passion.
<< <i>Al Adams & David Patton - Gold Rush Gallery
For these folks Southern Gold is more than a business, it's a passion. >>
I agree witht the Fatman!!
and Russ!
Warren Mills - Rare Coins of New Hampshire
Mike Printz - Whitlow
Jon Rosenthal - Rare Coins of New Hampshire
Russ, NCNE "
C'mon Russ, stop sucking up.
Anyway, to answer your question, most of my favorite dealers have died. So.....I'm gonna sell everything and die too.
(Marty's been pretty great too!)
There are too many good dealers out there. Almost as many sharks as well.
Most board member dealers are pretty good in my book.
Then there's the "Original Wannabe Market Maker" He's the best
Ike Specialist
Finest Toned Ike I've Ever Seen, been looking since 1986
Business and social interactions are people and personality related but the principal themes are knowledge, integrity, courtesy and fairness. My experiences with dealers has been excellent perhaps because I am selective, I buy from people that I know and trust or are highly recommended and review on approval all purchases.
I would add the team at Pinnacles to those already named. They are all (past and present) terrific to work with and learn from.