Options
New to forum...Where to buy coins online
hoardmonster
Posts: 370
First of all let me say how glad I am that I found this place. I have been here for several days reading and have already learned a tremendous amount. I wish I was able to add some knowledge, but I am somewhat of a beginning collector. I have loved coins as far back as I can remember, but was never exposed much to the hobby. Now nearing middle age, I am becoming quite hooked on coin collecting.
What I'm wondering is aside from eBay are there any websites where one can find good deals on coins. I don't really trust the shops here too much although there are still a few I haven't visited yet. Also, I'm interested in coins in the $500 and under range. As much as I would love to spend several thousand on a coin, it is not currently possible for me to do so.
Thanks in advance for any pointers you can give.
What I'm wondering is aside from eBay are there any websites where one can find good deals on coins. I don't really trust the shops here too much although there are still a few I haven't visited yet. Also, I'm interested in coins in the $500 and under range. As much as I would love to spend several thousand on a coin, it is not currently possible for me to do so.
Thanks in advance for any pointers you can give.
0
Comments
Many members here sell quality stuff, you can find mucho on the BST board.....
what series do you collect?
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
I'm crazy about mercs. I also like buffalos, IHCs, and Franklins. Eventually when funds are more abundant I would like to get into those Gold Indian pieces, although I don't know too much about them yet.
I have a few Frankies and a nice winged liberty for sale...........
if there is a member whom you would want to know about, just ask, none will be offended.....
not much deception happens here and when it does, the bad person is outed!
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
I've been here for less than a year and learned more from fellow
board members than most do in ten years !
As far as on-line purchases, I've been very happy with
David Lawrence Rare Coins.com
They have a wide selection of graded coins and provide pictures
with most.
One thing I found out the hard way. Steer clear of any dealer who
advertises their coins as "Gem Brilliant" , " Brilliant Uncirculated " ,
or any other adjectives.
The only designations you should trust are the standard ANA grades;
AG-3, VG-8, VF-20, AU-50, MS-60, MS-65, Proof, etc.
there are lots of good, honest dealers including some here on the boards
that you can trust. Like car dealers, some aren't so reputable; if you get
a bad feeling, trust your instincts and take your business elsewhere.
Best of luck,
Skipper
If I wanted Franklins I would look at Lucy's site
First thing I would suggest is to take your time and learn as much as you can before making any major purchases. Going to the coin show is a good idea and you might want to see if there is a local coin club in your area. The members on these boards have been very helpful to me when I have had a question and books are also a good learning resource.
Almost forgot, Heritage Numismatics has a good website where you can join for free and can search thier auctions archive for prices that coins have sold for in the past.
Good luck!!!
Some really cool Merc people frequent this place and the registry forum. As Lucy and others have said if you have any questions just ask.
Welcome Aboard.
Ken
Go to the show and look at as many coins as you can. For me, I prefer buying at shows over buying online. You always know exactly what your getting so no need to worry about returns and the hassles associated with them.
Specialize in an area so that you can achieve more knowledge than a typical dealer. It could just be Barber quarter cameo proofs. If you can find a dealer or collector to mentor you all the better. Knowledge and grading skills are the keys.
roadrunner
1) Make a monthly budget that you are allowed to spend on coins (currently mine is $75, but I'm still a student).
2) Buy certified graded coins (PCGS or NGC, and sometimes ANACs) until you are confident in your own grading abilities, this will cut down the times your newbie-ness is taken advantage of by bad dealers and the like.
3) When in doubt, ask this forum! Lots of wonderfully helpful people here, and I can vouch for that!
4) Beware of the Dark Side. lol
And welcome to the forums!
Edit to add: 5) Buy the Red Book and Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties--buy both in spiral spine if you can.
<< <i>Go to the show look at as many coins in your field of interest as possible. Might be good you won't be buying at the show, because if you're not sure of what you're doing you probably won't have a return option. I would suggest to find a couple good reputable dealers. And not worry so much about "good deals" but more on quality and getting what you pay for. Good luck and welcome. >>
The above is very good advice.
My thoughts on buying coins on ebay for new collectors: Do it like porcupines make love: VERRRY Carefully. In fact, generally speaking, DON"T. It's not that you can't get good value or good coins, it's generally the return policy (or more accurately, the lack thereof), and the fact that its often a way to dump overgraded coins, or other coins with problems, or as some on this forum have noted counterfit, altered, artificailly toned (AT) coins, doctored coins, etc. These statements do not apply to all coins sold on ebay, it's just that in this selling world, it's a buyer beware sales environment, there are often no returns or limited returns, and lots of risks. TO further complicate this some of our forum members sell their coins on ebay and from what I see they generally have decent return policies. So, it may be more important as to who is selling the coin than what the coin is, at least when you begin your on-line purchases. So the bottom line is Proceed VERRRY Carefully.
IF you're just getting back into coins, I posted a thread called "Coin Collecting 101". You might want to read that thread. Not because I wrote it, but because as one person commented, if he had read it when he started collecting, it would have saved him thousands of dollars.
2 bits of advice: Learn how to grade AND buy the coin not the plastic. That alone will save you a lot of money and in the end allow you to put together a nice collection of coins that you will enjoy.
Go to coin shows. look, listen and learn. Then buy!
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
I am relatively new to the forum myself, so it would be hard for me to give you advice on buying from board members, with the exception of "LucyBop", who I think is trusted pretty much by all.
But I am not new to coin collecting, are the internet sites. The first thing I would tell you though before you plunk down any serious money for coins is to read some of the many published books on the series of coins that you want to collect, plus books on how to grade coins. In otherwords "read the books before you buy the coins".
The next thing I would tell you, (especially because you are new to collecting), is to buy coins that have been graded by PCGS, or NGC. These are the two top professional coin grading services in the business, and both are highly respected by the vast majority of collectors.
Since I am handicapped its impossible for me to go to shows anymore, so I do 99% of my buying from just a few of the better known, (and trusted), dealers from the website. If you're going to be buying quality coins here are a few of the best internet dealers, (IMHO), that you might want to visit on the web. I have dealt with all of them for years, and they can definately be trusted, and will also be able and willing to give you some good advise........
1. Pinnacle Rarities
2. Larry Whitlow Ltd.
3. David Lawrence (DLRC)
4. Heritage
All of the above can be trusted IMHO. But I would place a little more trust in Pinnacle, are Larry Whitlow, if you are looking for the very best in quality, and grade.......... Again this is just my opinion, I am sure there are several other dealers out there you can trust, but I doubt there are any better!
Good luck.
PS. Also listen to what "Coinman1", ("Mark Feld"), or "Newmismatist" say. They are both very knowledgeable.
Just stick with Merc, and we'll help you out.
Tony
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Welcome!! I am from right across the river, in Southern Illinios. A little town called Edwardsville. My parents are still there. I live in Monterey, CA now due to military duties. I get back occasionally though so we might be able to hook up.
A really active member here on the boards here is from St. Louis and lives there still, RYK. Great guy and a good guy to learn from if you are planning on getting into gold.
As far as buying I would echo the large amount of sentiments from the people above. I am relatively new to the boards and the hobby. This board is a great place.
If you have any questions PM me and we can talk.
Very Respectfully,
John
siliconvalleycoins.com
This board is incredible! I am amazed at the level of knowledge here and the amount of help people are willing to give. I hope I am able to contribute somehow.
Newmismatist, I read "Coin Collecting 101" before I even started this thread and was wanting to comment on it, but felt that I should "officially introduce" myself to the forum first. I have bookmarked it because I want to read several times as there is a lot of info there.
coinlieutenant, I know Edwardsville! I have been to concerts at the SIU campus there a few times.
You know my home town then!
My advice would be dont pick a specific coin type until you have seen all the different types. They look much different in person that in the books or even on this board. Be omniverous until you aquire a more specific taste. After you are sure what you want to specialize in get the books on that denomination/type, find a good dealer at first for some guidance, then venture out on your own...and be prepared to make mistakes...and learn from them. It's all good fun if you take it with a grain of salt and dont take yourself too seriously. This hobby can be rough, but is more positive than negative.
V.r,
John
siliconvalleycoins.com
coinlieutenant, Good thinking. I will see how I feel about it after the coin show.
L&C Coins
Wayne Herndon
David Hall Rare Coins
Had good luck with them.
Learn how to grade your series'!
Go to a few large shows and just browse before you spend a large amount of money.
Learn to recognize a cleaned coin!
UMMM, that's all I can offer at this time of the morning.
___________________________
click to email me
ronsrarecoin.com
ebay auctions for ronsrarecoin-com