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In your opinion, where is the best place to buy coins?
Herb_T
Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
On line? Coin dealers web site? Shows? I value everyone’s opinion, so where?
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Depends. Where I'm at. How much money I have. Etc.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I have been buying nusmatic coins for only 2 years. Every single one has been purchased online. My favorite...... greatcollections.com
A mid size coin show. Lots to see and shop.
Local coin shop going out of business sale
Wherever the coins you want can be found for an acceptable price.
You buying 7-figure ratites or modern US mint commemoratives? Ancient Roman gold or Susie Bs? Bullion or Gem Shield Nickels?
Capped Bust 50ct; half, full and double eagles. These are what I am focusing on….every now and then the V ct will sneak in. And I like medieval and ancients as well.
In the past.
Coin shows are my favorite (it’s been several years) then a coin shop (there’s one in PHX I like and one in El Paso), then online (greatcollections is my fav).
If you’re in an area with shows and shops, exhaust them and build relationships while keeping an eye on what’s available online.
I used to get most of my coins from eBay. Nowadays it's split between larger auction houses, dealer mail lists, and dealer websites. There's the occasional collector to collector transaction or show buy, but it's not often. And basically nothing from coin shops.
IG: DeCourcyCoinsEbay: neilrobertson
"Numismatic categorizations, if left unconstrained, will increase spontaneously over time." -me
In-person mostly at my LCS and sometimes from contacts found on-line.
Used to be Woolworth's -- but that was many years ago.
It depends on what you are looking for. I am heading to a show in 3 hours. My expectations of finding a CAC Classic Head $5 are very, very low. If I were looking for bullion, I would walk out the door with all I could carry. If I wanted Morgans, well there will be thousands there today.
Auctions were better for me pre-COVID. Currently people are bidding things up to prices I am not willing to chase.
There are a few go to online dealers for items on my want list.
Best of luck.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Coon shos or a list wercs best me. I can see it before I buy it
All the above suggestions are good depending on what you're shopping for. If you're willing to wade through a lot of junk, you can find some good deals on eBay. Also, I've gotten mamy good deals on some nice coins on the BST. If you prefer an auction venue, GC is a great place to buy coins.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I have purchased coins at all the venues mentioned... including yard sales and flea markets. There are pro's and con's to each venue. The important thing is your knowledge of the coin and price.... Learn your series and research pricing. Of course, if you just like the coin, all that goes out the window....
Cheers, RickO
If you know your stuff, anywhere can be the best place. If not, they can all be the worst. Knowledge is power.
Today is tomorrow’s past.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
The best place is where you have a good return policy. Coin shows are awesome but the lighting is terrible the typical floodlights make every coin look better than it is. Online is great but the coin may not look like the picture. Estates, yard sales, etc. are great but you usually can't return anything and I've seen them overprice things to the point that even TV coin sales might blush.
websites
amazon and The executive coin company website are the ones i deal with mostly
opinions are words spoken by those who have little or no clue on the issue in front them
likes do not pay bills, buyers do
....and yesterday's future.
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
I will use eBay, BST, auction houses, dealer websites, coin shows, etc. to find the coin and price that I want. On Double Eagles check out Mint State Gold website as they usually have a large selection of gold Double Eagles.
All online.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
I purchase coins where ever I can find them. I prefer hands on to online, but do not hesitate to buy if the price is right. I real love coin shows.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Yikes, I hope you are okay... 😕
What I think when I look at your posts.
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
Heritage, Stacks, Legend, Great Collections, Joe O'Connor.
Great Collections! You get your coins very fast compared to other places from my experience.
Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP
Prefer the LCS because I can hold it in my hand, inspect it and so on before buying it, but he accepts cash only for all transactions which makes it tough for big ticket purchases.
Been a while since I have bought from eBay but a whole gamut of variety can be found there plus the PayPal offers of six months interest free and staggered payments make it more tempting to go on shopping spree there.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
I think everyone is going to have their own personal favorites governed by their financial situation and their level of collecting... I rather doubt TDN and I frequent the same venues for coin purchases!
That said, I go to the Baltimore show at least twice per year (back when we did such things), next is probably our very own BST. Third is likely dealer websites, especially if I've bought in the past. Last is ebay, but I've been eyeballing GC and other online auctions.
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
Still acquire most from eBay probably.. But you do have to know how to navigate the drastic differences in photography from seller to seller. Helps to buy already graded pieces IMO. I make it to as many shows as I can too and look at other major auction houses
I used to love ebay... maybe 15 or so years ago, but I find it's too much of a hassle in sifting through 1000s of coins to find one that looks good... then, I have to navigate photography... the seller feedback and return policy... shipping policies, etc...
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
There is no 'one' specific place.
You just got to put the work in----searching all of the dealer sites and auction houses, on a regular basis.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I used to love making the rounds to a handful of various local coin shops that were within striking distance.
Then life circumstances were turned around and my favorite coin shop is now three hours away instead of ten minutes.
Looking back on my recent purchases though, I did pick up some mercury dimes at a local moving sale, bought some goodies from my favorite coin shop during a necessary trip back to “the big city”, and have picked up a handful of pieces from EBay, and David Lawrence Rare Coins. Bid on some other stuff on GC and Heritage but nothing worked out for me there. I got blown out.
Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
I prefer coin shows, with the right dealer you can get really good deals
Yes just wicked tired. I meant coin shows and local coin shops. Whew, done
Edited. Spent the day running around 4 airports which helps out
I use all avenues.
glad to hear it... afraid you had a stroke or something. Only half joking, you never know...
Cap bust halves: https://sheridanscoins.com/
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
I have one LCS in my area and no coin shows without having to drive 90 miles round trip, The LCS guy is a shyster, more into buying cheap than selling for a profit. I mostly use eBay and Great Collections auction (they are reasonable beyond comparison at BP of 10% E check)
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Very good question.
Usually the bank.. and you can get them at face. Message joeycoins for details.
No you never k now your right
I like a fair coin auction.
https://www.usmint.gov/
but only if you type very fast
Out of curiosity, I looked at a randomly selected part of my inventory. I breaks down like this.
Coin dealer - Online purchase - 27
Heritage Auction - 21
eBay - 16
Coin dealer - Show purchase - 11
Forum Member - Buy, Sell, Trade - 7
Legend Auction - 4
Great Collections - 2
Stacks Bowers Auction - 1
Local B&M Coin Shop - 1
Coin dealer - Want list - 1
US Mint - 1
The eBay stuff is mostly coins worth $100 or less, hole fillers for various type sets. Probably about 8 or 9 online coin dealers are represented here. I've personally met all but maybe 2 or 3 of them. Most of the Heritage and Stacks stuff was either seen my myself or vetted by someone at the auction house I trust.
eBay and shows
Mint Employees.
SHOWS!!!!
Its the most efficient, you can see in hand, you can negotiate, and learn all in one stop!!
Heck, you can sell/flip also!
Keep em alive!!!
Ebay followed by ebay.
Depends.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."