@SanctionII said:
Myself and some other forumites collect in the niche area of Cameo Proof and Special Mint Set Coins minted from 1950-1970 (plus the earlier 1936-1942 Proofs, plus toned Proof And SMS Coins, plus varieties for these years, plus early clad US Coins minted from 1965-1990 or so). The price ranges for these coins (raw and certified) range from under $10.00 to well over $10,000.00. Many of these coins are collected raw and submitted for grading. Some are collected already slabbed.
Do you find that your customer base of young collectors have any interest in the above niche area of the hobby?
Absolutely. Typically the coin needs to be something "special" to actually sell well. (Cam/Dcam, variety, toned etc.) Run of the mill 1950s-1990 proofs & 1965-1990 clad doesnt sell very well for me. I've sold about errr $9000 or so just in 1969-D halves in the past 2 months. And they sold easy. Toned proofs sell very well, and for tremendous premiums. I wouldn't say that this niche is wildly popular but it exists.
Good luck. I live in Philly and we have 2 local shows every month. 3rd and 4th Sundays. Trevose and Tri-State at Oxford Valley. Nice inventory and 30 -40 dealers.
I think it is fantastic that you, at a young age, jumped into the hobby as a dealer. For generations the older segment of the hobby has talked about the hobby dying out because children and young adults do not show an interest in the hobby. Of course that has proven false in the past. I expect it will prove false in the future.
You and your peers who participate in the hobby as collectors and dealers are evidence that they hobby will continue after the current group of older collectors and dealers fade away [though I am 61 and have no plans on going anywhere anytime soon].
It is also interesting that coins which have long been considered "modern cr*p" [too new, too many produced, etc.] and thus not worthy of being collected by the older segment of the hobby are viewed as "old coins" worthy of collecting by younger hobbyists.
Kudos to you and your career as a dealer. I hope you are wildly successful.
@Mikelaw said:
Good luck. I live in Philly and we have 2 local shows every month. 3rd and 4th Sundays. Trevose and Tri-State at Oxford Valley. Nice inventory and 30 -40 dealers.
Thanks! I need to start going to the trevose show.
@SanctionII said:
Thanks for your response to my question.
I think it is fantastic that you, at a young age, jumped into the hobby as a dealer. For generations the older segment of the hobby has talked about the hobby dying out because children and young adults do not show an interest in the hobby. Of course that has proven false in the past. I expect it will prove false in the future.
You and your peers who participate in the hobby as collectors and dealers are evidence that they hobby will continue after the current group of older collectors and dealers fade away [though I am 61 and have no plans on going anywhere anytime soon].
It is also interesting that coins which have long been considered "modern cr*p" [too new, too many produced, etc.] and thus not worthy of being collected by the older segment of the hobby are viewed as "old coins" worthy of collecting by younger hobbyists.
Kudos to you and your career as a dealer. I hope you are wildly successful.
@spacehayduke said:
I thought Ultra High Relief was the 'young' dealer on the boards. Now I know better and this is great news. Let us all know what we can do to help.
@Elmhurst said:
Glad your not wasting your time going to college....I wish you all the best. !!
Haha never even considered it . College is no longer necessary to be financially successful. Thanks!
It most certainly is not, good job realizing this Owen
Thanks, unfortunately not many do. Somehow most think getting 75-200k in student loans then amassing another 5-10k in student credit card debts is the key to being financially successful. I'd rather not be in 6 figure debt by time I can buy a beer.
What is the level or degree of buying interest you experience for lower grades pre 1836 coins, versus mid grade 1837-1908 coins, vs high grade post 1909 coins? Excluding proofs and not bullion? Thanks
@Eric_Babula said:
Owen - I envy you for having the guts, and the finances, to become a coin dealer so early in life, and to be successful at it! I did read your initial post, about your affiliation with the Hipps family and Steve Feltner (PCGS Grader). Would love to know more about your story: how you got started, how much your initial investment was, where you got/get your funding from, and how long it took you to realize that you could make a living doing this. It's always been a pipe dream of mine to do what you're doing (distant pipe dream, as are many other things - but I always thought it would be cool), but it takes a special breed to actually jump into the waters.....and a certain amount of $$$$ that I'm guessing I don't have! I congratulate you on following your dream, and making this work!!!
I say go for it, follow your dream. I'm sure you would retire Happy!
@Raybo said:
Knock, knock........... I think you do know this joke, am I right Seymour?
Just kidding Owen, I wish you the best of luck, and PLEASE try to bring the young peoples back into this great hobby!
Haha I've heard it once or twice . Thanks, I appreciate that. I do definitely try to get youth involved. It's funny I often get messages from people on Instagram who stumble across my page randomly, and are so interested they actually have me pick out a coin for them to buy.
Nice thread and some great questions! Mine isn't as good and is far more self-serving...
My question: Want a job?
John Brush President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com email: John@davidlawrence.com 2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
@Elmhurst said:
Glad your not wasting your time going to college....I wish you all the best. !!
Haha never even considered it . College is no longer necessary to be financially successful. Thanks!
It most certainly is not, good job realizing this Owen
Thanks, unfortunately not many do. Somehow most think getting 75-200k in student loans then amassing another 5-10k in student credit card debts is the key to being financially successful. I'd rather not be in 6 figure debt by time I can buy a beer.
If you're successful & lucky enough while in high school, college can be free (cough cough)
@JBatDavidLawrence said:
Nice thread and some great questions! Mine isn't as good and is far more self-serving...
My question: Want a job?
I'm sure Owen is elated to see that message.
Good evening Mr. Brush,
Owen is a highly knowledgeable, self taught, well built morally human being that would be an asset to anyone's business. A large company with the nomenclature of David Lawrence behind it would be no challenge for him to assimilate into, if he so desires.
Take my word as set in stone, because he'll never let you down with his abilities. After all, he does regularly ship packages first class from PA to Louisiana overnight, somehow...lol.
@QCCoinGuy said:
I was going to ask, what dollar value do you try and keep in inventory at any given time? Your sales consist mainly low-value graded material (under $100?) Have you considered moving on to higher-value material, possibly keeping less in stock. You seem to be doing very well as it is. I was just curious about a possible transition to keep the workload under control.
A lot of my deals are private. I do A lot of $500-$2500 coins too. In April I did one deal for $11K. I make far more money selling A lot of $100 coins than I would a few $1000 coins.
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
Every dealer "gives back" by getting nice coins graded, offering coins for people to buy to expand their collection, etc. You make it sound like being a dealer and making a profit is a bad thing.
@OwenSeymour... Welcome aboard and I find your business profile to be fascinating... It is impressive to see such success in this business at this time.... Your model is obviously a key to such success. I wish you the best and hope to see much more from you here...and I will link up with you on Instagram. Cheers, RickO
@ricko said: @OwenSeymour... Welcome aboard and I find your business profile to be fascinating... It is impressive to see such success in this business at this time.... Your model is obviously a key to such success. I wish you the best and hope to see much more from you here...and I will link up with you on Instagram. Cheers, RickO
...wait a second...you have an Instagram ricko? Isn't that the one avenue in Social Media that is soley based on Pictures posted by its users? #noexcusesanymorericko
Actually, yes I do....and no, I have not posted any pictures... I follow my daughters and grand daughters on it though... However, I am leaning towards posting a picture...not sure when... but I did get one of those tethered thingy's.....have not opened the box yet though... Maybe... Then I will shock the forum with a picture of artificial textile tarnish.... However.... got lots and lots to do before that happens... Cheers, RickO
My question: If you had to put 10K into some coins at current levels and hold them for 10 years before selling, what would you buy? That's my way of asking which coins you really believe in, as opposed to the coins that you buy and sell on a daily basis, just because you can do it profitably.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
I'm just curious, do you think if numismatics is "just a source of income" for me, that I would spend hours creating this post and responding to everyone's questions here?
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
Every dealer "gives back" by getting nice coins graded, offering coins for people to buy to expand their collection, etc. You make it sound like being a dealer and making a profit is a bad thing.
I've met a lot of people who find it absurd that coin dealers should profit. Apparently to some dealers should just act as public servants to coin collectors investing their lives and thousands of dollars to generate no profit lol.
@ricko said: @OwenSeymour... Welcome aboard and I find your business profile to be fascinating... It is impressive to see such success in this business at this time.... Your model is obviously a key to such success. I wish you the best and hope to see much more from you here...and I will link up with you on Instagram. Cheers, RickO
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
I'll elaborate on my previous response as well. I offer guidance and help to anyone and everyone who chooses to contact me. I have mentored and educated dozens or perhaps hundreds of kids in US numismatics. I frequently receive messages on Instagram asking how to collect, how to become a dealer, who to buy coins from, and I always respond. I attempt to provide accurate, informational guidance to anyone who asks for it.
@QCCoinGuy said:
I was going to ask, what dollar value do you try and keep in inventory at any given time? Your sales consist mainly low-value graded material (under $100?) Have you considered moving on to higher-value material, possibly keeping less in stock. You seem to be doing very well as it is. I was just curious about a possible transition to keep the workload under control.
A lot of my deals are private. I do A lot of $500-$2500 coins too. In April I did one deal for $11K. I make far more money selling A lot of $100 coins than I would a few $1000 coins.
Private deals to friends ,Relatives , Parents ?
No, normal customers. I meant private in terms of the sales being conducted on a private platform, not on eBay or Instagram.
I don't do Instagram or anything like that but I found your page and looked at it a bit and came up with a few questions. How do you gain followers? I know on Twitter there is a retweet so someone can show it to all their followers but it looks like you can only "heart" the photo or comment. Also if I did decide to create an Instagram how do I follow you as well as find other people interested in coins? I see there is a search bar but when I type in coins nothing comes up and it always takes me to a user page.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
Every dealer "gives back" by getting nice coins graded, offering coins for people to buy to expand their collection, etc. You make it sound like being a dealer and making a profit is a bad thing.
I've met a lot of people who find it absurd that coin dealers should profit . Apparently to some dealers should just act as public servants to coin collectors investing their lives and thousands of dollars to generate no profit lol.
You need to meet new people who want to give you money. The "public servants" and "no profit, lol" is your problem.
@keets said:
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
Every dealer "gives back" by getting nice coins graded, offering coins for people to buy to expand their collection, etc. You make it sound like being a dealer and making a profit is a bad thing.
I've met a lot of people who find it absurd that coin dealers should profit . Apparently to some dealers should just act as public servants to coin collectors investing their lives and thousands of dollars to generate no profit lol.
You need to meet new people who want to give you money. The "public servants" and "no profit, lol" is your problem.
@MorganMan94 said:
I don't do Instagram or anything like that but I found your page and looked at it a bit and came up with a few questions. How do you gain followers? I know on Twitter there is a retweet so someone can show it to all their followers but it looks like you can only "heart" the photo or comment. Also if I did decide to create an Instagram how do I follow you as well as find other people interested in coins? I see there is a search bar but when I type in coins nothing comes up and it always takes me to a user page.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
There's several ways to gain followers. People can give you a shout out ("go give _____ a follow"). There's also an explore page of Instagram geared toward each person, it's a page full of posts from people the user doesn't already follow, but might be interested in following - people will discover you here. One of the most common ways is using hashtags. Putting a # in the caption of the post will make it so that post will appear if anyone ever searches for it. So obviously a coin post might have the hashtags "#coins #numismatics #antiques" for example.
@ricko said: @OwenSeymour .....I have 'hooked up' with you on Instagram....will watch with interest...and who knows, maybe even buy something.... Cheers, RickO
May I respond to this via email? If So, what email should I reach you at?
Of course!
john.brush@davidlawrence.com
Look forward to hearing from you!
John Brush President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com email: John@davidlawrence.com 2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
@ricko said: @OwenSeymour .....I have 'hooked up' with you on Instagram....will watch with interest...and who knows, maybe even buy something.... Cheers, RickO
You should hook up with me, also (in all seriousness). Owen and I have two of the largest clientele bases "on the 'gram." I look forward to seeing your request!
Comments
I don't have plans to do so, but I wouldn't rule it out by any means either
Missed this one, I live in a small town 30 minutes north of the Scranton / Wilkes Barre area
Nope haha. I actually grew up in Bucks County so relatively familiar with that corner of the state.
I go hunting in Montrose ... Beautiful area!!!
Successful trades.... MichaelDixon,
Also, you missed my question so far.
Absolutely. Typically the coin needs to be something "special" to actually sell well. (Cam/Dcam, variety, toned etc.) Run of the mill 1950s-1990 proofs & 1965-1990 clad doesnt sell very well for me. I've sold about errr $9000 or so just in 1969-D halves in the past 2 months. And they sold easy. Toned proofs sell very well, and for tremendous premiums. I wouldn't say that this niche is wildly popular but it exists.
Oops, missed that one as well
Absolutely, my friend owns a cabin in Montrose actually. Small world!
Good luck. I live in Philly and we have 2 local shows every month. 3rd and 4th Sundays. Trevose and Tri-State at Oxford Valley. Nice inventory and 30 -40 dealers.
Thanks for your response to my question.
I think it is fantastic that you, at a young age, jumped into the hobby as a dealer. For generations the older segment of the hobby has talked about the hobby dying out because children and young adults do not show an interest in the hobby. Of course that has proven false in the past. I expect it will prove false in the future.
You and your peers who participate in the hobby as collectors and dealers are evidence that they hobby will continue after the current group of older collectors and dealers fade away [though I am 61 and have no plans on going anywhere anytime soon].
It is also interesting that coins which have long been considered "modern cr*p" [too new, too many produced, etc.] and thus not worthy of being collected by the older segment of the hobby are viewed as "old coins" worthy of collecting by younger hobbyists.
Kudos to you and your career as a dealer. I hope you are wildly successful.
Glad your not wasting your time going to college....I wish you all the best. !!
I thought Ultra High Relief was the 'young' dealer on the boards. Now I know better and this is great news. Let us all know what we can do to help.
Best, SH
@OwenSeymour Oh I forgot to ask, do you consign coins and if so what do you charge?
Thanks! I need to start going to the trevose show.
Thanks!!
Haha never even considered it
. College is no longer necessary to be financially successful. Thanks!
Absolutely, Thanks!
It most certainly is not, good job realizing this Owen
@basetsb_coins on Instagram
I've done a handful of consignments before, but it isn't something I advertise by any means. But I would definitely be open to more consignments.
Thanks, unfortunately not many do. Somehow most think getting 75-200k in student loans then amassing another 5-10k in student credit card debts is the key to being financially successful. I'd rather not be in 6 figure debt by time I can buy a beer.
Great questions!
I say go for it, follow your dream. I'm sure you would retire Happy!
That's Awesome.!.!
Nice thread and some great questions! Mine isn't as good and is far more self-serving...
My question: Want a job?
President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com
email: John@davidlawrence.com
2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
If you're successful & lucky enough while in high school, college can be free
(cough cough)
I'm sure Owen is elated to see that message.
Good evening Mr. Brush,
Owen is a highly knowledgeable, self taught, well built morally human being that would be an asset to anyone's business. A large company with the nomenclature of David Lawrence behind it would be no challenge for him to assimilate into, if he so desires.
Take my word as set in stone, because he'll never let you down with his abilities. After all, he does regularly ship packages first class from PA to Louisiana overnight, somehow...lol.
Best wishes,
BN
Private deals to friends ,Relatives , Parents ?
...what an Awesome question...hope you land him!
what are you doing to "give back" to the Hobby, or is it just a source of income for you??
Every dealer "gives back" by getting nice coins graded, offering coins for people to buy to expand their collection, etc. You make it sound like being a dealer and making a profit is a bad thing.
@OwenSeymour... Welcome aboard and I find your business profile to be fascinating... It is impressive to see such success in this business at this time.... Your model is obviously a key to such success. I wish you the best and hope to see much more from you here...and I will link up with you on Instagram. Cheers, RickO
...wait a second...you have an Instagram ricko? Isn't that the one avenue in Social Media that is soley based on Pictures posted by its users? #noexcusesanymorericko
Actually, yes I do....and no, I have not posted any pictures... I follow my daughters and grand daughters on it though... However, I am leaning towards posting a picture...not sure when... but I did get one of those tethered thingy's.....have not opened the box yet though...
Maybe... Then I will shock the forum with a picture of artificial textile tarnish.... 
However.... got lots and lots to do before that happens... Cheers, RickO
My question: If you had to put 10K into some coins at current levels and hold them for 10 years before selling, what would you buy? That's my way of asking which coins you really believe in, as opposed to the coins that you buy and sell on a daily basis, just because you can do it profitably.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
May I respond to this via email?
If So, what email should I reach you at?
I'm just curious, do you think if numismatics is "just a source of income" for me, that I would spend hours creating this post and responding to everyone's questions here?
I've met a lot of people who find it absurd that coin dealers should profit. Apparently to some dealers should just act as public servants to coin collectors investing their lives and thousands of dollars to generate no profit lol.
Thank you! Looking forward to it
I'll elaborate on my previous response as well. I offer guidance and help to anyone and everyone who chooses to contact me. I have mentored and educated dozens or perhaps hundreds of kids in US numismatics. I frequently receive messages on Instagram asking how to collect, how to become a dealer, who to buy coins from, and I always respond. I attempt to provide accurate, informational guidance to anyone who asks for it.
What do you do?
No, normal customers. I meant private in terms of the sales being conducted on a private platform, not on eBay or Instagram.
I don't do Instagram or anything like that but I found your page and looked at it a bit and came up with a few questions. How do you gain followers? I know on Twitter there is a retweet so someone can show it to all their followers but it looks like you can only "heart" the photo or comment. Also if I did decide to create an Instagram how do I follow you as well as find other people interested in coins? I see there is a search bar but when I type in coins nothing comes up and it always takes me to a user page.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
You need to meet new people who want to give you money. The "public servants" and "no profit, lol" is your problem.
That's typically the first and last conversation
@OwenSeymour .....I have 'hooked up' with you on Instagram....will watch with interest...and who knows, maybe even buy something....
Cheers, RickO
There's several ways to gain followers. People can give you a shout out ("go give _____ a follow"). There's also an explore page of Instagram geared toward each person, it's a page full of posts from people the user doesn't already follow, but might be interested in following - people will discover you here. One of the most common ways is using hashtags. Putting a # in the caption of the post will make it so that post will appear if anyone ever searches for it. So obviously a coin post might have the hashtags "#coins #numismatics #antiques" for example.
Awesome!!
Of course!
john.brush@davidlawrence.com
Look forward to hearing from you!
President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com
email: John@davidlawrence.com
2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
You should hook up with me, also
(in all seriousness). Owen and I have two of the largest clientele bases "on the 'gram." I look forward to seeing your request!
@boyernumismatics...Is this the same name on Instagram?? Cheers, RickO
OK...found you and sent request.... Cheers, RickO