Do you feel comfortable giving your relatives a list of the coins you want?

SilverEagles92

Last year for Christmas, everyone gave me cash, since I didn't feel comfortable letting them buy coins for me, for a few reasons:


They don't know how to grade coins
They don't know a fair price to pay
They don't know how to spot an original coin from a problem one
They might get taken by a slimy coin dealer


But, this year my parents have asked me to give them a list of the coins I would like for Christmas. I have a few raw sets in Danscos that could stand to be finished, namely a Dansco 7070, and a Roosevelt dime album. I have the list typed up, verified, and ready to print out; but I don't feel comfortable giving it to them. My dad probably knows best what I'm looking for, and I'm sure the coin dealer would help them find the coins, but I just don't know.

So, would you feel comfortable submitting a list of coins you need to a family member(s) in order for them to purchase said coins for you? Would you feel more comfortable if you included explicit directions within the list as far as grades, prices, etc. go?

291fifth

I never wanted relatives buying coins as gifts. They didn't know the field.

JoeLewis

I only let my dad buy coins for me. He is a coin collector also. For anyone else, it's just too diffucult to explain what I want, and I'm afraid they would get ripped off buying somehting on eBay.

Joe

SilverEagles92

I've tried to tell them this, but they insist that giving cash is just not a heartfelt gift.

messydesk

Short answer: No.

Long answer: I would have to mitigate all the reasons you point out. If I could look at all the coins on my list in person first, and they were all certified, and I was working with a trustworthy dealer who would quote me prices that my family members would pay that I agreed to, I'd give out a list of those coins with serial numbers and prices quoted with explicit instructions to pick only from exactly the coins shown on the list and that serial numbers must match those on the holders. It would be cool to be surprised with which messydesk-preapproved coin the family would pick for me. Since, however, there's too much that can go wrong with that scenario, I still probably wouldn't.

Lakesammman

Sure - if they can find me a unique small cent pattern, I'd be thrilled!

DoubleEagle59

Not a chance. They just wouldn't be able to tell a good coin from a bad one. Or if it was slabbed, they wouldn't be able to tell if the coin was just marginally acceptable.

I would have them buy coins only if I needed modern US Mint material that can be purchased retail at a coin shop.

TheRegulator

No. If someone who really doesn't know much about coins went out and bought something for me, chances are I wouldn't be happy with the piece. Then it becomes a lose-lose situation where you don't really like the piece, and they feel bummed that you aren't thrilled with it.

Cash may seem impersonal, but you can always earmark it. When one of my grandmothers was still alive, she would always give my brother and me some money, and I would always stash it away and save up to buy something nice. Then I would show her the watch or knife and let her know that it was purchased with the money she gave me. That made her happy.

My family knows I collect, so I often put a coin book on the list and receive any money in the form of rolls of coins, which I can search through and then cash in.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>So, would you feel comfortable submitting a list of coins you need to a family member(s) in order for them to purchase said coins for you? >>


No way...

sumnom

No. Gift givers and receivers should be able to share the experience of the exchange in some way or other. Giving people a list of things I want that they do not understand seems cold and distant.

pb2y

No -- they want the coins I already have already.

AnkurJ

Yes, and I would give them names of dealers to go to. I gave my brother a list of comics I picked out from various websites, with the price and contact info. He picked one, and gave it to me. Worked perfectly.

Ankur

gtstang

Yes if it's bullion gold at bullion price which I have gotten in the past. No if it is a registry type coin in which you would want to see before buying.

BBQnBLUES

NO WAY in Hell would I do that !!

They don't need to know I collect coins & would be shocked at the amount of $$$ I've spent / plan to spend on my collection..

<scrooge>

cmerlo1

None of my relatives collect coins (although my wife is learning about them). I wouldn't want them to even attempt to get me anything numismatic for Christmas...

ChangeInHistory

Never! Stick to albums, supplies, and books.

500Bay

<< <i>... would be shocked at the amount of $$$ I've spent / plan to spend on my collection.. >>



This one hit the nail on the head for me.

MrHalfDime

For as long as I can remember, whenever my children asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I would always reply "Either a 1792 half disme or an 1802 half dime". I was comfortable in the knowledge that I would receive neither, but at least I was honest. Now that they are all grown and have careers, who knows? Maybe one day they will surprise me.

Barbercoin

Not really.