Are there any dealers/sellers that specialize (or excel) at selling "problem coins"?
LanLord
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If someone has a quantity of problem coins (graded with some form of details code) and wanted to unload them, is there a resource out there that has a good strategy for selling them?
Not looking to ripoff anyone, but if a coin is marketed as a details graded coin, but still desireable, to whom would you go to sell?
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Yeah, they're called coin doctors
Seriously though, some do specialize in it but usually for key & better dates or desierable older coins. There is a niche of collectors that seek them out for their relatively small price tag as opposed to straight graded comparables
Several sellers on ebay seem to have that model, except that they artificially tone them in the holder before selling off. At a much inflated price as well.
I don't know of a real dealer that does this on a regular basis or buys problem coins for just this purpose.
bob
Definitely. Stephen Musil runs a 2 page spread in every Coin World and problem coins seem to be his bread and butter.
Yes, two very prominent dealers come to mind that do the regional circuit.
Dealers are lined up 3 deep to buy with them., jockeying for position early in the show to get their spot.
And if you are going thorough their stock and see a coin and say "What's this doing here?" (that is, it looks problem-free), better get out your loupe and do a once-over!
That being said, some good deals are available from these guys.
One prominent one comes to mind on eBay, G*C
Yep, Great Southern Coin! If you need an overgraded problem coin I can't think of a better dealer to recommend.
Just to verify, I don't want to pawn off problem coins on an unsuspecting person.
They are in PCGS details plastic and will remain so.
Anyone that wants to buy them would know what they are buying, I'm not out to cheat anyone, just move details graded coins out of my collection
Thank you all for the recommendations.
Fairchester Numismatic Properties, Stamford, CT in my neck of the woods. Vin Blume. He's been on the northeast and national coin circuit for 40 yrs or longer. I'm always impressed by the breadth of coins he deals with, including the full scope of what most of us might call "problem" coins. It's a special niche by those who do it week in and week out. Can't say he's the strongest buyer out there (no one is). But, I've known him to be fair and a straight shooter when I was more active. FNP is certainly a resource at your disposal. And they do excel in the area of buying/selling problem coins for what they are. The biggest coin dealers are no doubt good at this game too....though a lot less likely to be looking out for your interests.
If your looking to sell why not try the forum first? Free to post and if it doesn't sell then you can look elsewhere. Probably get the most money as well.
Any holed?
Why not try the BST here?? I think many members would be interested in such coins. I would certainly review them - maybe even buy some... Cheers, RickO
I agree with the BST as a first option. And regarding Stephen Musil, I have bought some of my favorite coins from him and had one of the higher value ones certified without problem. My experience with him is that he simply tends to "tell it like it is" when describing what he is offering, and we're just not accustomed to such accurate descriptions. JMHO.
There is an eBay seller called EternityCoins that seems to have a pile of problem coins. Their asking prices will leave you buried for eternity.
If good dates just toss them in auction. They look for them there as well and will need to bid against each other. Just keep them in the holders, Stacks does good for me.
Hoard the keys.
I know of someone who bought them then cracked them out of their slabs and sold them as problem-free...
There are several dealers who make problem coins a large part of their inventory. At the FUN show one of them making a submission related to a TPGS finalizer that fresh material or "nice" coins are not coming on to the market but problem coins are plentiful. It is like collectors are keeping the good stuff back and selling lesser examples in their collection. This dealer has them slabbed and they sell like hotcakes! Unfortunately, I couldn't hang around the booth to hear more.
At least one dealer comes to mind as an individual who often has problem coins for sale, which are marked as such, but I'm not going advertise that fact since he sells many nice coins too.
From the historical perspective, the late John Ashby was well known among early American copper collectors for his "John Ashby coppers." Everyone of his coins seemed to be corroded and porous, and he had a following among EAC members.
Try some of the large advertisers that advertise in coin periodicals.
A dealer friend of mine integrated 'problem coins' into his business model a few years, after finding that the competition and price spreads for nice coins was tough. He has done quite well with them, and many are acquired from major dealers who get them in as part of bulk purchases and need them to 'go away'. He does not doctor or deceive, and the majority of his sales are to other dealers.
Good suggestion. Many of them are loaded with problem coins. Thing is, most buy them dirt cheap, and then try to sell them as coins with "minor" problems or even problem-free coins. I could list dozens of dealers like that, but I wouldn't want to do business with them....even once.
I've known and dealt with Vinnie for many years and he has always been fair and honest in his dealing with me.
I agree with the others in regards to Great southern coins on eBay. They were the first ones that came to mind.
Feel Free to Check out my eBay Listings
stores.ebay.com/DoubleJCoins?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
well, that is the secret, isn't it... paying the "right" price for them.
IMO, rare, old, and interesting coins with "problems" are one of the biggest bargains in numismatics..
IF purchased at a FAIR "net" grade and price.
Pay too much for the cool rare coins, and/or buy them as "problem free", or buying common, boring coins with problems
( at practically any price) can be, and usually turns out to be, a huge mistake.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Sure. But these skillful dealers can buy them much stronger (50-80c on the dollar) than the shysters who rely on paying (10-30 cents on the dollar). Both are the "right" price for their respective skill levels. But as a seller and a buyer, there's probably only one of them you should be doing business with. I would think both of them end up getting similar sell prices.
coleman foster