Question for collectors living in smaller towns.
oldgoldlover
Posts: 429 ✭✭✭
For those of you that collect gold coins and reside in smaller towns what has been the best method to acquire lower pop, higher grade old branch coins? I live in a large car infested city but there are no dealers that are heavy hitters here that inventory what I collect. I have used a local coin dealer for one purchase but it was for a more common date. Auctions and long distance dealers are not a good option as I don't like evaluating a coin solely from a picture and flying to view an auctioned coin is a lot of driving, flying and time. I have a return option with a east coast dealer but it is time consuming sending back a rare coin and costly. I be moving of in a bit over a year to a much smaller part of the state and need to find other sources of coins as large coin shows are not at all close and surprisingly few quality coins are there. If anyone livers near San Antonio, TX and can recommend a reputable rare coin dealer that handles such coins I would appreciate a lead.
Comments
Royalty Coins in downtown San Antonio is a reputable Dealer. Vic Bozarth in Brenham, TX has a web presence with nice gold and a return policy.
If you want 1) branch gold 2) that is high grade and 3) low population---I don't think it matters where u live, you need to look all over,work hard to find those coins and keep options open. Those 3 criteria are challenging to find from any dealer even if it is someone like Doug Winter who specializes in that type of material. Good luck
Small town dealers are great for books, albums, bullion, generic issues, and sometimes they'll have the odd really cool coin. A few of them have a special area of interest.
For what you're looking for, building some solid relationships with a handful of dealers you trust is probably your best option. They can review auction lots for you (for a fee) and keep an eye open for coins you need. This is the only way to be truly successful if you're putting together a challenging set and you can't make the national show circuit or view auctions in person. When dealers provide this useful service for me, I'm perfectly happy to see them rewarded for their efforts.
Lone Star Coins on 281 N is a reputable shop.
Steve
Big town, small town....East coast, West coast, Midwest.....I don't think the question really changes. I think you'll end up waiting a long time to find any specific coin/date/grade, and a REALLY long time to complete a collection, unless you reach outside your immediate area, and take a few chances.
I live in a small town... no coin shops, no coin shows.... and none within easy driving distance. (I will NOT go into NYC). So, I rely on forum members and a few other trusted sources. Works well... Use the BST, it is great. Cheers, RickO
Thanks to all of you, especially the an San Antonio recommendation. Tommy is right about waiting even in a town like Houston. few dealers inventory many expensive coins and work on consigning coins for others. what do any of you think of Monaco aside from higher prices?
Happy New Year to all.
Huh?
She looks like she may be from Texas.
With the 3 criteria that you require, Doug Winter.
In my book no need to look further.
Show circuit ...
Dallas is 4h, Houston 3h -- that's the May TNA show and the end of year Houston Money Show.
Plus a host of smaller - 30 to 75 table shows (you never know who will show up). For example, there are several shows in Round Rock (1h north). I also see shows in San Antonio itself, and maybe others - I don't track south of RR as much.
There are also 'local' dealers you'll see at all the shows. Many of them have better stuff if you ask, they just bring the common gold and silver bullion that sells at shows. Don't judge them solely by the table.
I second the recommendation for Vic Bozarth - I've bought from him online and at ANA.
I would add Ricky & Robin of 900Fine (although he's actual an EAC guy and she's world coins).
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
I live in SA and echo the comments above for Royalty Coins and Lone Star. I'll also add Harry's Coins and Jewelry and Alamo Heights Coin Shop. We do have several small shows a year now held in Schertz, a small town just outside of SA.
I'm not sure what you collect, but if you are after tougher stuff, you will most likely not find it at one of these places though every now and then you might get lucky. For the series I'm working on now (Bust and Seated halves), I rely heavily on internet connections.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
The December show in Houston was very slow as the dominate dealer in Houston folded up early and left by 11.00 A.M. on Saturday. Problem with branch mint gold DEs is smaller dealers don't like the inventory carry. I will attend the Dallas show and am making contact with Royalty Coins in the Alamo City shortly but they advised me New Orleans type ones are not in their inventory. They do get early dollars on occasion. Robin and Ricky 900Fine will be another I will contact. I will be west of Kerrville and have heard there are a couple of gold coin collectors there per the owner of a local coin shop. Hopefully I can meet them after I get settled.
Thanks to all.
Small town = 10,000 or less, is there at least 15 miles distance to the next town? Exists in IIowa. In South Dakota, towns are about sixty miles apart.
I hate to say the P word, yep, its Provincialism.
When I was kid I lived in town where they rolled up the sidewalks at sundown. I used to go with my father to Philadelphia where he bought auto parts for his business. I got to know some of the Philly dealers.
As an adult to me the best shopping experience is going to the major shows. Yes you have travel, but it's worth it find the good stuff.
I have had good luck with Heritage giving me honest opinions about auction lots and estimated values. I am a legacy customer, and that might make a difference, but they have been more than fair with me.
The alternative is find a small dealer like I was before I retired. I did a lot of want list work for collectors and traveled to the major shows to find the coins. Yes, you had pay me a profit, but you didn't have to spend the time and money going to shows. An no I didn't have high mark-ups. I worked on 10 to 20 percent on most items.
Thanks I have talked to a shop in the Alamo City and they do not get many old gold branch mint pieces. They had one raw 1799 Bust Dollar that was not graded. They priced it at $2,000 and said they grade it as a high VF coin mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I ask them if it has ever been to NGC or PCGS and they never responded. Aside from that it has come down to auctions and the one good dealer we have in Houston that is very fair with me and will cal and mail a coin if I am interested. They get the coins I am interested so I have a pretty good idea of what and where I will pursue.