Coin Shops In Houston, TX
OneCent
Posts: 3,561 ✭
I'll be heading to Houston on business in a couple of weeks so hopefully I'll have some down time to hit a coin shop.
Any Recommended coin shops in Houston?
ALso, what would be a good coin to buy that has a Texas motif or flavor???
Any Recommended coin shops in Houston?
ALso, what would be a good coin to buy that has a Texas motif or flavor???
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
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Comments
<< <i>I'll be heading to Houston on business in a couple of weeks so hopefully I'll have some down time to hit a coin shop.
Any Recommended coin shops in Houston?
ALso, what would be a good coin to buy that has a Texas motif or flavor??? >>
The first part I don't know. The second part might be the Texas Commemorative.
Another is HNE (2486 Times) located in the Rice village. They might have some traditional texas motif stuff. I have seen them do unique belt buckles and jewlery.
There is also a decent store located in the suburb of Bellaire somewhere.
call 713 464 6868 for directions....ask for bonnie and tell her monsterman sent ya
they have a 7 figure inventory and not only is it by far the largest in texas....they are one of the largest in the country
also....as previously mentioned...a nice texas commem would be cool
monsterman
out of rockets ...out of bullets...switching to harsh language
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
Royal Coins, 713.664.0881
They are on Beechnut just inside the loop in the Meyerland area.
I don't have much good to say about the others listed above.
There is one in Bellaire on Rice. If you like the smell of pot smoke coming from the back room, you'll fit right in there.
As far as the "biggest one" mentioned. If you're prepared to spend a ton, they'll treat you decent, maybe. If they think you're newbie, they'll try and rip you.
If they don't know you, you're invisible. They've lost a lot of business from me just by the way they treat non regulars and the things I've seen there.
My office is just across the freeway from them, I could go everyday at lunch if I wanted but I haven't been back there in 4 years, that should tell you something.
I'd rather drive 20 minutes south to go to Royal and have done so hundreds of times over the years. I drive right past US Coins in the process.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
National Market Maker Dealer: U.S. Coins
Local Neighborhood Type Coin Shops: Royal Coins, Houston Numismatic Exchange (HNE) and Collector's Coin Shop
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>IMO, there's only one true honest one and I've been to them all.
Royal Coins, 713.664.0881
They are on Beechnut just inside the loop in the Meyerland area.
I don't have much good to say about the others listed above.
There is one in Bellaire on Rice. If you like the smell of pot smoke coming from the back room, you'll fit right in there.
As far as the "biggest one" mentioned. If you're prepared to spend a ton, they'll treat you decent, maybe. If they think you're newbie, they'll try and rip you.
If they don't know you, you're invisible. They've lost a lot of business from me just by the way they treat non regulars and the things I've seen there.
My office is just across the freeway from them, I could go everyday at lunch if I wanted but I haven't been back there in 4 years, that should tell you something.
I'd rather drive 20 minutes south to go to Royal and have done so hundreds of times over the years. I drive right past US Coins in the process. >>
I'm with you deadhorse about U.S. Coins. Never again will I do business with them or ever recommend them.
They are the only coin concern I have ever done business with that I have an honest, 100% glass overflowing, hatred for.
Jerry
<< <i>
<< <i>IMO, there's only one true honest one and I've been to them all.
Royal Coins, 713.664.0881
They are on Beechnut just inside the loop in the Meyerland area.
I don't have much good to say about the others listed above.
There is one in Bellaire on Rice. If you like the smell of pot smoke coming from the back room, you'll fit right in there.
As far as the "biggest one" mentioned. If you're prepared to spend a ton, they'll treat you decent, maybe. If they think you're newbie, they'll try and rip you.
If they don't know you, you're invisible. They've lost a lot of business from me just by the way they treat non regulars and the things I've seen there.
My office is just across the freeway from them, I could go everyday at lunch if I wanted but I haven't been back there in 4 years, that should tell you something.
I'd rather drive 20 minutes south to go to Royal and have done so hundreds of times over the years. I drive right past US Coins in the process. >>
I'm with you deadhorse about U.S. Coins. Never again will I do business with them or ever recommend them.
They are the only coin concern I have ever done business with that I have an honest, 100% glass overflowing, hatred for.
Jerry >>
I would love to know the details that spawned this hatred for U.S. Coins. I have conducted business with U.S. Coins for most of my numismatic career and I find the people there to be some of the nicest and most professional people in the business.
Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
<< <i>I agree with much of what has already been posted on this thread, and personally know most of the posters of this thread. I think that you can divide the several viable coin shops into 2 categories:
National Market Maker Dealer: U.S. Coins
Local Neighborhood Type Coin Shops: Royal Coins, Houston Numismatic Exchange (HNE) and Collector's Coin Shop >>
Stuart, with all due respect, I don't think you give Royal enough credit. They are head and shoulders above the others you grouped them with.
Royal travels and sets up at shows probably 40+ times per year, I know the same can't said of the others. Nor do I think they do anywhere the volume that Royal does. Royal has a loyal following of customers that goes back years and years, that alone says a great deal positive about them. You walk in, they offer you a soft drink or coffee, doesn't matter if it's the first time or the 1,000th time you've been there. You don't find that sort of atmosphere elsewhere.
You go to Royal, you tell them what you're after, they probably have it, even in lower grades. If not, they'll get is for you quickly. Other places will send you away with a "sorry, don't have one".
Go to US and ask for the same thing and they will immediately try and sell you something that costs 10X as much and that's the end of it. I've gone looking for something in a Double Eagle in say a 63, they bring out the same in a 67. I didn't go in there looking to buy a new car or take out a loan to buy a coin. Once they see you aren't going to spend that kind if $$, you get the door. That's been my experience more than once and one reason why I'll never go back.
I've seen several other things go on there while browsing that just turn me off to them. I'll leave it at that as they have their defenders and I have no wish to get into a pi$$ing contest. They flat lied to me once on the phone before I went over there, then they denied that I had ever called and accused me of being a troublemaker. I'm not banned there by any means, but I have a self-imposed ban. Have you seen that Taj Mahal looking new building they are putting up next door? I have a very good idea of what that is costing and who is paying for it. I can also do without the rude treatment from the staff. I know someone quite well who used to work there, boy he could add a book to this thread. He's actually a great guy and we are doing a separate business deal between himself and my company. It's easy to see why he left them.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
Houston Numismatic Exchange is my regular haunt when I want to go B & M ing. Pat Johnston is the proprietor and he's a no BS, real deal guy. When a show comes into town, he's busy with the visiting dealers. He gets his price and doesn't dicker much but he knows his coins and he will tell you what he thinks. He has a ton of business so don't even try and go there Saturday mornings. First class operation, old guard and totally on the up and up. He's a coin dealers coin dealer even if he sometimes uses grey sheet but most of the stuff he knows in his head. My favorite thing is to pick through his junk bucket but I've left some healthy checks there. Last time, I got a '53 arrows and rays 50 cent for three buks.
Royal Coins, been there some over the years. They make the shows and have a real operation but when they went though the ownership change a few years back, it just never seemed the same. They have a good inventory and fair prices.
Enjoy your visit and good luck hunting.
I've been there a few times on Houston trips.
<< <i>Houston Numismatic Exchange is my regular haunt when I want to go B & M ing. Pat Johnston is the proprietor and he's a no BS, real deal guy. When a show comes into town, he's busy with the visiting dealers. He gets his price and doesn't dicker much but he knows his coins and he will tell you what he thinks. He has a ton of business so don't even try and go there Saturday mornings. First class operation, old guard and totally on the up and up. He's a coin dealers coin dealer even if he sometimes uses grey sheet but most of the stuff he knows in his head. My favorite thing is to pick through his junk bucket but I've left some healthy checks there. Last time, I got a '53 arrows and rays 50 cent for three buks.
Royal Coins, been there some over the years. They make the shows and have a real operation but when they went though the ownership change a few years back, it just never seemed the same. They have a good inventory and fair prices.
Enjoy your visit and good luck hunting. >>
Hmmmm........ interesting. I've heard a few first hand stories about HNE that don't exactly fit with your experiences, but good for you. Personally, I don't have any problem with using Greysheet, bid or ask. But I have found their pricing to be a tad on the high side and their buyback to be less than you might expect. I don't go through junk buckets, so I can't comment on that. As far as atmosphere, they seem a bit standoffish to me, but that's JMO.
Royal? I thought the change in ownership was rather seamless considering the parties involved were already partners. The original owner is still around on occasion as well, great guy from my experiences too. I do prefer the current owner and the staff as well. We've become personal friends through so many countless deals, he's an all around straight shooter. Sometimes I have taken over their table at shows when they need a break, so I'd guess you could say I'm fairly close to them. Price wise, I don't think they can be beat anywhere else in town. I've probably done close to seven figures in business with them over the last 8 years or so and never once felt remorse.
Too bad my wallet isn't big enough for US Coins, their loss. I gave them many opportunities. I gave every shop many opportunities and came away with one clear leader and they stand head and shoulders above the rest. It's not because of the them being physically close to me either, I could go to numerous other B&M shops in far less time that it takes me to get to Royal from home. Depending on the time of day, it can be close to an hour, but I just don't waste my time going anywhere else anymore. Many years of experience have taught me well.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
A reasonable assessment. Their pricing is near or at retail and their buyback is 15% back of wholesale so if you buy a retail coin from them and come in the next day to sell it back, it's going to cost you about 30%. They told me that straight up and were not bashful about it. I like the honesty and I don't buy much there anymore. Actually short of going to one of the 3 or 4 shows we have a year and a couple of auction sites, I don't do much B&M anymore.
Coin ON!
<< <i>I don't do much B&M anymore. >>
Oh, you should. It's like today's version of the barbershop back in the 50's and 60's.
Guys hanging out, most of them very knowledgeable in their areas of expertise. BS'ers don't last long.
It's a great way to spend an hour or so with a lot of very interesting people. I wish I had the time to do it more often.
John Marnard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920, page 235ff
dudhorse
its apparent to me that nobody pleases you
HNE
>>>>>But I have found their pricing to be a tad on the high side and their buyback to be less than you might expect.>>>>
>>>> As far as atmosphere, they seem a bit standoffish to me, but that's JMO>>>.
USC
>>>>Too bad my wallet isn't big enough for US Coins, their loss. I gave them many opportunities.>>>
apparently nobody can please you......i have been in retail for 35 years and we have a name for guys like you....*&^%$^))^$#@#
dude
this
>>>>> I didn't go in there looking to buy a new car or take out a loan to buy a coin. Once they see you aren't going to spend that kind if $$, you get the door. That's been my experience more than once and one reason why I'll never go back.>>>
and this dont jive......
>>>> I've probably done close to seven figures in business with them over the last 8 years or so and never once felt remorse.>>>
are you full of it or what...seven figures...yea in monopoly money
look pal.....news flash....the coin biz is a food chain biz....usc is at the top of the food chain...and if....just if...you did do 7 figures with royal...where on earth do you think he went with it???duh!!!!
your ignorance of the market place costs you big time....and you probably left a 100 k on the table....and royal thanks you kindly.....havent you ever heard of the concept called the " middleman"........geez....get a brain will ya
now stumphead....errrrrrr alarm
>>>>>As far as the "biggest one" mentioned. If you're prepared to spend a ton, they'll treat you decent, maybe. If they think you're newbie, they'll try and rip you.
If they don't know you, you're invisible. They've lost a lot of business from me just by the way they treat non regulars and the things I've seen there.
My office is just across the freeway from them, I could go everyday at lunch if I wanted but I haven't been back there in 4 years, that should tell you something.
oh god...another one....a bona fide ignat....
>>>If you're prepared to spend a ton, they'll treat you decent
or
>>>They've lost a lot of business from me just by the way they treat non regulars and the things I've seen there.
you see these are what is called conflicting statements......since you were prepared to spend a ton ( as per your " they lost a lot of business......" comment...i am lost
****************************************************
now the real facts
...the coin biz is a food chain biz....and if you want the biggest selection you go to the big dog....if you had a bad experience you fix it.....unless you want to travel down the food chain to a smaller inventory....now if you are a collector of widgets....further down the food chain will do....if you want monster coins...YOU WILL HAVE TO GO UP THE FOOD CHAIN
you sound like a kid who just went through the drive through at mc donalds and you asked to hold the pickles ....but the ignat inside put them on anyway.....and now down the street you take a big bite....and go geeez..im never going back to mc donalds
gimme a break....if you want selection....and i want selection....nothing will stop me
now if anyone has a problem with usc call bonnie.....she will take care of you.....that is unless you want to go through the dollar bucket...then she will have to defer to a cheaper employee.....someone has to pay the light bill
monsterman
out of rockets ...out of bullets...switching to harsh language