I'm heading to the show in a little while . . .

MurrayM

So here I go, off to the local coin show. Questions:

Should I print out the price guides on PCGS for the coins I'm interested in? Or use some other guide?

How should I approach getting someone's opinion on a raw coin? I have a Morgan and two Peaces I'd like an opinion on.

How much bargaining is appropriate?

Should I stick with coins that have been graded until I'm better at grading myself?

Thanks!

Murray

ricko

1 - No
2 - Ask nicely... indicate you are not interested in selling.. just looking at grade. Get 3 or 4 opinions.
3 - As much as you want.... Only pay what you feel is affordable... do comparative shopping at all the tables. (if there is only one, it becomes a bit more difficult).
4 - Yes

Cheers, RickO

rgCoinGuy

As to your raw coins, post them on here first, then take them to a show for in hand opinions, would be my opinion. From you questions, yes, buy PCGS or NGC graded coins only until you gain more knowledge. You may just want to "browse" coins at this show and Buy books. Just my 2 cents. I would check ebay and Heritage sales results for prices paid to get a realistic idea of what resale value will be of coins you are interested in.

crispy

Enjoy the show and don't feel pressured to buy anything. I often walk out of shows without any new purchases, but that's not to say that I didn't enjoy talking to people and perhaps learning one or two new things.

seemyauction

What show are you goin to?


Las Vegas, NV
Cleveland, OH
Spartanburg, SC
El Paso TX

BECOKA

You could always go to the graysheet website and print out the price guide for the coins you are interested in. I think they only charge $2-4 dollars for back issues.

MurrayM

I spent most of the afternoon at the show in Spartanburg. Had a great time. Bought a couple of things that I had planned on ahead of time: a PCGS-graded MS 64 1882-S Morgan (I wanted the best grade I could get for under $100--got this one for $40) and a low-grade silver 3-cent piece (trime?). I knew I couldn't afford a high grade one, but wanted at least one in my collection. I also bought a toned Morgan just for its beauty--and realized much later that the toning might not be natural. Don't know. It's gorgeous, though. As soon as I can get some good pictures, I'll upload them and ask everyone's opinion.

One dealer tried to sell me a complete run of MS-69 silver eagles for $425--but I just don't have that kind of money, and I'm rather enjoying buying Eagles one by one over the years--it almost seems to be cheating to buy them all at once.

So now I get to spend time reading about coins, NOT buying them for a while.

Murray

Garneteye

MurrayM - Glad to hear you had a good time at the show, I was working the desk at the front from 10-2pm. If you are in the Greenville area we have two active clubs and would like to have you drop in. PM me for details.

Dan
Greenville Coin Club