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Do the niche dealers quietly maintain an active practice that is outside their specialty?

LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
I was always curious about this when I see ads for specialist dealers. For example, I see ads for dealers who specialize in Standing Liberty quarters. Even though I like Standing Liberty quarters as much as the next guy, I cannot see how it is possible to make a living off of them. And then there are the specialty gold dealers, who tend to further specialize in Southern gold. I assume that these dealers have been around the block a few times, and they know good values when they see them outside of their specialties. Do these dealers buy and sell coins in their non-specialties as well, and just don't make a big deal about it? I am not talking about obtaining a collection from a collector and wholesaling the cats and dogs. I am talking about actively looking at other coins outside their speciality on the bourse and selling to other dealers/collectors. Does anyone know?

I was reading QDB's half cent book, and I almost fell off my chair when I saw that Doug Winter wrote the introduction to it. Maybe Winter is an in-the-closet copper weenie, but he tends to masquerade as the southern gold expert to the public at large. Do any other dealers do this?
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)

Comments

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,186 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I know Dick Osburn specializes in Liberty Seated coinage (specifically half dollars I think) yet he deals regularly in everything Seated and Bust and is very knowledgeable in both areas.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,703 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It depends. Virtually all niche dealers with store fronts deal in other coins as well. Most
    niche dealers without storefronts would only deal in other coins as their comfort level, and
    time permits. For some this would mean they are active in the market and others would
    rarely venture outside their specialty.

    It also depends somewhat on the individual niche. For instance token and medal dealers
    are less likely to dabble in a buffalo nickel dealer than a darkside dealer or a Morgan dealer.

    Niche dealers generally put more effort into internet sales than other dealers but even this
    isn't always true.
    Tempus fugit.
  • ColonialCoinUnionColonialCoinUnion Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Do the niche dealers quietly maintain an active practice that is outside their specialty? >>



    Most do.

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