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Buying from a large coin company in Texas that seems to only sell raw IHCn istead of graded PCGS

ONUUUONUUU Posts: 48
edited January 20, 2017 7:05PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Hi, I am somewhat new in buying IHC, either semi or key dates. I have looked at IHC for hours on end and then get to this site and they have very nice looking coins, so nice I am wodering if the coins have been cleaned or somehow worked on by experts.
I have bought only PCGS and some CAC coins as well. What I am tring to figur out is if this very lage dealer with over 160K feedbacks is a company to buy from...seems if the coins were that good they would be graded and worth even more, especially ifgraded by PCGS. I also have bought from a store in Chicago, Harlan Berk and they seem to be such good people and have often helped out on IHC. Cam anyone shed some light on xxC coins in Texas
Thanks to anyone who caan help me out
onuuu

Comments

  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,400 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Are the words Great Southern Coins in the name?

    theknowitalltroll;
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭

    I would suggest that you stick with third party graded coins instead of raw coins.
    You can find some raw gems out there, but there are plenty of problem coins for sale as well.

    With PCGS coins you know what you are getting.

  • jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,241 ✭✭✭✭✭

    These 2 beauties came raw from Great Southern:


    Not sure why everyone always hates on them

  • Coin FinderCoin Finder Posts: 7,432 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rick Snow has great coins in this series and so does Charmy Harker, both post here. Compare quality and you will see the difference between these dealers and buying raw... Just my opinion.

  • oldgoldloveroldgoldlover Posts: 429 ✭✭✭

    I recommend U.S. Coins in Houston 713-4646868. They have a good reputation, support our coin club and are the dominate player in the Houston and surrounding market. They have been very fair with me.

  • PushkinPushkin Posts: 2,029 ✭✭✭

    I would suggest that you stick with third party graded coins instead of raw coins.
    You can find some raw gems out there, but there are plenty of problem coins for sale as well.
    TopographicOceans

    Having collected the series for a lifetime I strongly agree with the above. Some eBay vendors do a great job of turning sow's ears into silk purses. The wonders of photoshop, and worse. Don't be fooled by all of those 99.+% ratings.

  • BochimanBochiman Posts: 25,556 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jwitten said:

    Not sure why everyone always hates on them

    Experience. A broken clock is still right twice a day.
    For what you bought from them....were they raw or already slabbed?

    There have been threads from people here that HAVE ALSO purchased from them and it hasn't been as pretty a result as you have gotten. I recall about 3 people that had good experiences...and at least one of them was ONLY on slabbed material.

    There is NO WAY that I would purchase raw IHC from them....for anything more than a couple of bucks.....nor would I recommend it to others.

    I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you are spending an amount which would hurt to lose, stick to solid for the grade slabbed coins. Look at Phtograde, Coin Facts, and Heritage re what a slabbed coin in a certain grade should look like. Look at as many coins you can yourself. Get help. I wouldn't pay $50 for any raw coin.

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • mannie graymannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If the coins are worth more than a couple hundred dollars, there is most likely a reason they are not slabbed.

  • jwittenjwitten Posts: 5,241 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Bochiman said:

    @jwitten said:

    Not sure why everyone always hates on them

    Experience. A broken clock is still right twice a day.
    For what you bought from them....were they raw or already slabbed?

    There have been threads from people here that HAVE ALSO purchased from them and it hasn't been as pretty a result as you have gotten. I recall about 3 people that had good experiences...and at least one of them was ONLY on slabbed material.

    There is NO WAY that I would purchase raw IHC from them....for anything more than a couple of bucks.....nor would I recommend it to others.

    I bought them raw. From what I have seen, they just sell a lot of coins... including nice coins, and including problem coins. They almost always say if a coin has been cleaned, etc. If a buyer knows what to look for, they can find pretty nice coins with them.

    @mannie gray said:
    If the coins are worth more than a couple hundred dollars, there is most likely a reason they are not slabbed.

    Not always true. I buy and sell gold $2 1/2 every day, and almost all I buy are raw, and sold as raw too. Sure, some are cleaned, and sold that way, but many are nice. Your average collector doesn't send coins in for grading, especially if coins have been passed down to them, etc.

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    For the inexperienced, it is best to buy graded coins... for more experienced collectors, there are often good deals to be had in the open market. My recommendation is to buy graded and also build a relationship with select dealers (as mentioned by thebigeng) until your skill level is such that you have confidence to buy raw. Cheers, RickO

  • Desert MoonDesert Moon Posts: 6,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 21, 2017 6:37AM

    I seem to recall allegations of them cracking out coins in details holders and them selling them raw without noting their slabbing history. If so, I would be careful about buying raw coins from them without in hand inspection.....

    Inspect their negative feedback, most or all has to do with the raw coins they sell.

    Best, SH

    My online coin store - https://desertmoonnm.com/
  • That dealer has excellent photographic and editting skills. I would not buy a raw coin from them, but then I'd hardly ever buy a raw coin I could not inspect in hand. There are many collectors that were buying years ago before everything decent was slabbed and have lots of raw coins and feel comfortable buying raw coins, so I wouldn't reject something just on the basis of it being raw, but this dealer has cultivated quite a reputation for coins that look better in his photos than in hand.

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,717 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have bought RAW IHC proof cents from them. The ones that looked RD typically grade Questionable Color (code .91) while the ones that are BN will typically straight grade, but no higher than a 64.

    OINK

  • :)

  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,863 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The dealer is question does not hesitate to issue a full refund if not satisfied, at least in my experience. I can say that much for them. They also occasionally sell some nice stuff, but you need a discerning eye and perhaps a bit of luck.

    Beyond that, I would echo the comments of everyone else here. If you're only spending a few bucks and not buying anything terribly rare, buy what you like and don't worry about it too much. If you have any notions of "investment" or resale value is of any concern, do your homework, become an educated collector, and without question start with coins authenticated and graded by one of the major TPGs - top tier PCGS, NGC, next tier ANACS, IGC.

  • gripgrip Posts: 9,962 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ricko said:
    For the inexperienced, it is best to buy graded coins... for more experienced collectors, there are often good deals to be had in the open market. My recommendation is to buy graded and also build a relationship with select dealers (as mentioned by thebigeng) until your skill level is such that you have confidence to buy raw. Cheers, RickO

    This.

  • AnalystAnalyst Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭

    Topographic Oceans (Yes!): I would suggest that you stick with third party graded coins instead of raw coins. You can find some raw gems out there, but there are plenty of problem coins for sale as well.

    For uncirculated or Proof Indian Cents valued above '60'-grade price levels, it is definitely a good idea to buy coins that have been graded by PCGS.

    Topographic Oceans: With PCGS coins you know what you are getting

    I would not forth this statement. No grading service will ever be perfect. Although grade-inflation and coin doctoring are real problems, buying PCGS certified Indian Cents is usually much safer than buying raw Indian Cents. It is also true that PCGS certified Indian Head Cents are easier to sell.

    Copper-Nickel Indian Cents

    How will Coin Collectors Interpret Certified Coin Grades in the Future?

    "In order to understand the scarce coins that you own or see, you must learn about coins that you cannot afford." -Me
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Welcome to the boards.

    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:

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