Good question. Many local pawn shops and coin shops will sell to you but most want retail or more for their wares. There are many online sources as well. I can honestly say buying through coin forums BST sections has yielded me some of the best buys. Let us know if you want specific recommendations.
Reputable national dealers, who guarantee their products are not fakes, when they have a "sale" with free s&h. BST is also a good place, but caveat emptor (buyer beware).
"Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
See if you can find a coin store that you can get to. Visit a few times, buy some small items like a few American Silver Eagles (just the coin, not in a graded slab or in a box, just the coin) or some old walkers or mercs (90%). Maybe buy a 1/10 American Gold Eagle on one of your trips. See if you like the guy, see if he treats you fairly (you can come here to check), see if you got a kick out of the experience. Go slowly, just a nip here and there. You'll likely pay spot plus 10%-15% or so so don't think you're being ripped off, that's just the deal for getting to finger the piece a little and have some polite conversation with a guy that knows something and will talk to you about it.
If you want a more remote experience at a little cheaper price (spot + 5%-10%), try APMEX or Gainsville (there are a few of others that are very good as well). APMEX and Gainsville have very user friendly sites and the metal is about as cheap as you can get it unless you're in some kind of dealer relationship (they take years to build). Look at what they have and decide what you want, give them a CC number and then you just have to wait at the mailbox for your metal.
You can even buy from the forumites and likely get treated pretty well. Post a wtb (want to buy) on the monthly BST (buy sell trade) thread here. Check it out!
Learn to take photos and post them, we all like pictures of coins. Post your new purchases on the metal porn thread here on Fridays (some pretty nasty stuff most times).
You will likely make some mistakes, just part of the learning curve. Don't get down on yourself if you make a mistake just don't make the same mistake twice. Sell one or two pieces from time to time to learn that side of the trade, and you're off to the races. Go to a coin show, buy some, sell some, have a good time and watch your wallet because they tend to get leaks in them at coin shows.
Realize that numismatic pieces are not the same as bullion pieces. Both are pretty but bullion trades near spot and numismatics may have a bit of a premium for a collectability or rarity factor. Bullion and numismatics are similar but they are not the same, learn the difference. Some bullion is rare, like special bars and have very low mintages and cost substantially more than spot. Some numismatics are cheap...and always will be.
scott101
Posts: 21 ✭
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Knowledge is the enemy of fear
If you want a more remote experience at a little cheaper price (spot + 5%-10%), try APMEX or Gainsville (there are a few of others that are very good as well). APMEX and Gainsville have very user friendly sites and the metal is about as cheap as you can get it unless you're in some kind of dealer relationship (they take years to build). Look at what they have and decide what you want, give them a CC number and then you just have to wait at the mailbox for your metal.
You can even buy from the forumites and likely get treated pretty well. Post a wtb (want to buy) on the monthly BST (buy sell trade) thread here. Check it out!
Learn to take photos and post them, we all like pictures of coins. Post your new purchases on the metal porn thread here on Fridays (some pretty nasty stuff most times).
You will likely make some mistakes, just part of the learning curve. Don't get down on yourself if you make a mistake just don't make the same mistake twice. Sell one or two pieces from time to time to learn that side of the trade, and you're off to the races. Go to a coin show, buy some, sell some, have a good time and watch your wallet because they tend to get leaks in them at coin shows.
Realize that numismatic pieces are not the same as bullion pieces. Both are pretty but bullion trades near spot and numismatics may have a bit of a premium for a collectability or rarity factor. Bullion and numismatics are similar but they are not the same, learn the difference. Some bullion is rare, like special bars and have very low mintages and cost substantially more than spot. Some numismatics are cheap...and always will be.
Welcome to the show!
Great prices, service etc. My choice for on line bullion.
i have bought my first 3-10 oz bars of silver this week
scott
"How many times can a man turn his head and pretend he just doesn’t see?” - Bob Dylan
scott