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How Best to Find a Fairly Scarce Coin

124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭✭

Hi,

Given that my state is about to impose sales tax on coin purchases, starting January 1, I have decided that I want to buy a particular coin before then. It should cost around US$10,000, so our 10% sales tax is significant to me.

I have done the usual internet searches. There are a few of them out there, but none that speaks to me.

Are there reputable dealers who would beat the bushes for one for me?

Thanks.

Mark

Comments

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,078 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Do a WTB (want to buy) on the BST Forum. It can't hurt and you might get lucky.

    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

  • 10%?!? Where's that? Some states have exemptions when the value is above a certain amount, usually $2k.

    Rare-Change.com - Low listing fee

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,845 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You could give john agre a a call at coin rarities online and talk to him. Its a start 🙂

  • 124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RandomSchmoe said:
    10%?!? Where's that? Some states have exemptions when the value is above a certain amount, usually $2k.

    Washington state. We don't have an invome tax, so they tax everything else. It's stupid.

  • 124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @johnny9434 said:
    You could give john agre a a call at coin rarities online and talk to him. Its a start 🙂

    Done; we'll see if anything comes of it, but that was exactly what I was hoping to elicit.

    Thanks!

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 24, 2025 1:36PM

    Without knowing the coin series/type its difficult to give much advice. You need to find a dealer that specializes in that series/type/coin as they will have the best chance of finding something for you. A specialist may have the inside track on coins that could be available but not on the market. As an example when I needed a few Lincoln cents to finish out my set I got in touch with Andy at AngelDee's because he is a Lincoln cent guy.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • 124Spider124Spider Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 24, 2025 2:05PM

    @coinbuf said:
    Without knowing the coin series/type its difficult to give much advice. You need to find a dealer that specializes in that series/type/coin as they will have the best chance of finding something for you. A specialist may have the inside track on coins that could be available but not on the market. As an example when I needed a few Lincoln cents to finish out my set I got in touch with Andy at AngelDee's because he is a Lincoln cent guy.

    Looking for a 1916 standing Liberty quarter, in VF, preferably CAC-approved. I'm probably willing to stretch for the right coin.

  • pcgscacgoldpcgscacgold Posts: 3,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,667 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Also try DLRC,

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,845 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That 10% tax is way to much. Might be a good thing to recheck everything on the tax...

  • BLUEJAYWAYBLUEJAYWAY Posts: 10,652 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Flash the cash, sometimes works.😀

    Successful transactions:Tookybandit. "Everyone is equal, some are more equal than others".
  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,439 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nothing shows up at Collectors Corner but I do wonder whether the "right" coin has to be a Full head or not. Might make quite a difference in your search if it is anything like other STD Quarters. James

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,489 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    Nothing shows up at Collectors Corner but I do wonder whether the "right" coin has to be a Full head or not. Might make quite a difference in your search if it is anything like other STD Quarters. James

    @124Spider indicated “Looking for a 1916 standing Liberty quarter, in VF, preferably CAC-approved. I'm probably willing to stretch for the right coin.” So unless he decides to pursue a higher grade/more expensive example - AU or better - a “FH” isn’t an option.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,439 ✭✭✭✭✭

    All things being equal, I would guess he is probably not looking for a shovel head, lol. James

  • seatedlib3991seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,439 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Northeast Numismatic has a PCGS 45 for sale for $10,500. James

  • mr1931Smr1931S Posts: 6,558 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There is no no sales tax on U.S. collector coins in Iowa.

    If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be.---Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States of America, 1801-1809. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,489 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mr1931S said:
    There is no no sales tax on U.S. collector coins in Iowa.

    But the OP said that he lives in WA. state.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Russell12Russell12 Posts: 565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pcgscacgold said:
    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

    How do you know how many have been stickered?

  • lermishlermish Posts: 4,051 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Russell12 said:

    @pcgscacgold said:
    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

    How do you know how many have been stickered?

    https://www.cacgrading.com/pop-report

    chopmarkedtradedollars.com

  • retirednowretirednow Posts: 634 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 25, 2025 9:06AM

    I always take a look at Heritage Past Auctions to see if there are any make offer to owners listed .... many time they come back as decline or inactive but I had picked up 2 pieces over the past years using this feature.

    a few current examples here


    OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
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  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider
    This coin just closed Sunday on GC. Yes higher than your stated amount but if willing to stretch a little you might just remove the vf grade and search for what's available in between vf and au. Best of luck.
    Jim



    When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln

    Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
  • HalfDimeHalfDime Posts: 658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you drive to Oregon and buy in that state there is no sales tax, but I'm guessing you knew that.

  • pcgscacgoldpcgscacgold Posts: 3,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @lermish said:

    @Russell12 said:

    @pcgscacgold said:
    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

    How do you know how many have been stickered?

    https://www.cacgrading.com/pop-report

    @Russell12
    Just go to the CAC price guide. Click on the grade you are after and it will show how many have Green, how many have Gold and how many are CACG graded.

  • goldengolden Posts: 10,150 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Good luck in your quest.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,713 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:
    Hi,

    Given that my state is about to impose sales tax on coin purchases, starting January 1, I have decided that I want to buy a particular coin before then. It should cost around US$10,000, so our 10% sales tax is significant to me.

    I have done the usual internet searches. There are a few of them out there, but none that speaks to me.

    Are there reputable dealers who would beat the bushes for one for me?

    Thanks.

    Mark

    Try @PeakRarities

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,713 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @mr1931S said:
    There is no no sales tax on U.S. collector coins in Iowa.

    But the OP said that he lives in WA. state.

    We don't believe him. 😅

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Russell12Russell12 Posts: 565 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pcgscacgold said:

    @lermish said:

    @Russell12 said:

    @pcgscacgold said:
    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

    How do you know how many have been stickered?

    https://www.cacgrading.com/pop-report

    @Russell12
    Just go to the CAC price guide. Click on the grade you are after and it will show how many have Green, how many have Gold and how many are CACG graded.

    Thanks. Do you know of a way to tell if and/or how many PCGS Trueview there may be for a coin?

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 25, 2025 11:58AM

    Deleted

  • pcgscacgoldpcgscacgold Posts: 3,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Russell12 said:

    @pcgscacgold said:

    @lermish said:

    @Russell12 said:

    @pcgscacgold said:
    There are only around 30 with CAC stickers in that grade so it will definitely be a challenge to find a collector parting with one. Best of luck.

    How do you know how many have been stickered?

    https://www.cacgrading.com/pop-report

    @Russell12
    Just go to the CAC price guide. Click on the grade you are after and it will show how many have Green, how many have Gold and how many are CACG graded.

    Thanks. Do you know of a way to tell if and/or how many PCGS Trueview there may be for a coin?

    No, I do not know if that is a published anywhere.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 9,070 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 25, 2025 11:18AM

    For many if they have low pops that’s a go for me. Beyond that if I like the coin and it has good sales potential. Then of course buy it right (good potential for good margin when I sell it).

    Investor
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,489 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Cougar1978 said:
    For many if they have low pops that’s a go for me. Beyond that if I like the coin and it has good sales potential. Then of course buy it right (good potential for good margin when I sell it).

    Your post has approximately zero to do with what the thread originator asked.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,845 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:

    @johnny9434 said:
    You could give john agre a a call at coin rarities online and talk to him. Its a start 🙂

    I did this. He was very helpful!

    He pointed me to a VF25/CAC that I had not previously located, and it happens that he just got a AU55 graded by CAC back that day, and it was not yet listed on his website.

    The VF25/CAC was, I felt, priced too high, given that I had an alternative. I contacted the seller to see if he would consider taking less, and have not heard back.

    John Agre sent me photos, we discussed price, and I felt it was worth stretching for; it's a remarkably beautiful coin. So I'm all stretched out, but very happy.

    I'm mailing him a check today, I'll post photos when it's a done, happy deal.

    Thanks so much; this is a great community.

    Mark

    I hope it all works out for all

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 37,713 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    For many if they have low pops that’s a go for me. Beyond that if I like the coin and it has good sales potential. Then of course buy it right (good potential for good margin when I sell it).

    Your post has approximately zero to do with what the thread originator asked.

    Does anyone have contact information for his friends or relatives if he starts posting on the topic of a thread?

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 37,026 ✭✭✭✭✭

    wooooooo

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 15,489 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider said:

    @johnny9434 said:
    You could give john agre a a call at coin rarities online and talk to him. Its a start 🙂

    I did this. He was very helpful!

    He pointed me to a VF25/CAC that I had not previously located, and it happens that he just got a AU55 graded by CAC back that day, and it was not yet listed on his website.

    The VF25/CAC was, I felt, priced too high, given that I had an alternative. I contacted the seller to see if he would consider taking less, and have not heard back.

    John Agre sent me photos, we discussed price, and I felt it was worth stretching for; it's a remarkably beautiful coin. So I'm all stretched out, but very happy.

    Also figuring in to my thinking was the odd price/grade curve, which encourages one to stretch; the price does not go up very much with each grade, so that the price I have paid for the CAC AU55 was only 33% more than the sticker price for the VF25/CAC.

    I'm mailing him a check today, I'll post photos when it's a done, happy deal.

    Thanks so much; this is a great community.

    Mark

    Very glad to hear that and to see one of the benefits possible through the collective power of the forum.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,667 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider
    Glad you found one, can't wait to see pictures of her.

  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 12,037 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @124Spider Great that you found what you wanted and in such a short time, congrats!

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.

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