The Butternut Company?
Aotearoa
Posts: 1,556 ✭✭✭✭✭
Their website lists a lot of nice coins (with my focus on the DB Large Cents) but, strangely, many of the listings are without photos ("image coming soon"). One coin I am potentially interested in is listed with only a reverse photo. I asked via e-mail if an obverse pic could be added. No action and no response to my e-mail. Seemingly not very professional - or, at least, not very logical.
Smitten with DBLCs.
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Comments
Danger Will Robinson
I've bought from Butternut at coin shows but never from their website.
Great guy, Col Steven Elsworth. I've dealt with him for over 20 years. He might be at the show this weekend; I know he was at one last weekend. Give him a call and talk with him.
Good Guy and he loves to talk!
I know of him, too. He's a great guy.
My YouTube Channel
Although I didn't make it as clear as I could have, I was simply seeking some independent insight into the company. Not something that comes from speaking to the company directly. Thanks.
Smitten with DBLCs.
Steve Ellsworth is one of the stalwarts in the Early American Copper Club. He handles a lot of very nice copper, and most of it is now third party graded.
I bought this piece from him raw nine years ago. It's a wonderful example of the 1857 large cent. It's an MS-65, Brown by my grade. I think it was sold in an auction over a decade ago as an MS-64, Brown.
I bought this one, graded PCGS MS-65, Brown from him a couple of years ago.
Like every other dealer, he'll have coins you like and some you might not like as much. I have always bought coins from him face to face and not over the website. I've found him to be fair and honest.
Thanks, Bill. Good feedback.
Smitten with DBLCs.
And your '57 and '52 are both beauties!
Smitten with DBLCs.
Yes, the Colonel is a good guy to deal with, and I have at least 3 large cents in my collection from him. But like Bill said, you may not like everything he has. I also think his EAC grades are the 'loosest' of the major EAC dealers (i.e., more like commercial grading), if that is something you care about. However, when you consider overall 'value' like I do, his coins are more reasonably priced than some of the other dealers.
Nice to see the positive feedback/inputs on a dealer ..... one of the values of this forum. Cheers, RickO
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And yet, he is the company. One man operation.
He's a very well-known asset to a wide range of EAC collectors.
It's a cottage industry.
His website sucks; he is the opposite. I've been "speaking to him" for 30+ years, as have many here.
Steve is a great guy and is on the road quite a bit. Been a very busy show schedule past month as I just saw him at a show in New England. All I can say is keep trying it’s worth it
Steve is also a security specialist and he gave a talk at the Baltimore Coin Club concerning security and coin collecting. Great guy.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Col. Ellsworth always does the PNNA in the Northwest in October. Just call him, he is also a Governor for the ANA!!
Steve is an outstanding stand-up guy, but very busy and in my opinion sometimes over-extended with all he does for the hobby. Give him the benefit of the doubt and send him a follow-up email.
I "talk" with him regularly and will see him at EAC '18- let me know if I can help with communications.
Best,
Jack
One of my Butternut purchases. Also be sure to ask him about the Butternut Hoard when you see him .
That seems to be the nut of it. Glad to know the website (which truly is bad - especially considering the quality of many of the coins listed) is not a reflection of the man. Exactly what I was seeking. Thanks all.
Smitten with DBLCs.
He does also sell lower grade and coins with issues for people who want bargains, but he does disclose any issues. BTW there are tons of early coppers with issues, some varieties, almost all have issues.
As a Roving Instructor at ANA Summer Seminar, I've had a chance to sit in on Steve's class on Coin Dealer Security. Usually an afternoon is spent towards the end of the class "week" at a local shooting range.
35 years and I still smile at the big sign at his table that reads "Your wife called. She said it's OK to buy something"
He was an excellent instructor at last year's ANA Summer Seminar on coin dealing and safety, and a standup guy.
Gonna get me a $50 Octagonal someday. Some. Day.
Steve is tremendous. Long-standing, forthright, and possessor of almost as many one-liners as I have. He and I have similar designs/aspects on coin show security (to the extent he has offered to pair up at shows). A great inventory of copper, and a realistic desire to work with you if you actually want to add a coin to your collection. Ironically . . . . my last purchase from him was an 1889-CC Morgan . . . . . not copper.
Not sure how his website operates . . . . but I know HE operates fair and square. Relax . . . you will never find a more reliable or straight up coin guy at a show. He is one of the few I would have in a foxhole guarding my back . . . .
Drunner