How many coin shops are in your immediate area?

gsaguy · February 23, 2004 2:45AM

I travel around the country frequently to attend coin shows and almost always check out the local yellow pages to see how many coin shops are in any given city. I'm amazed at times how many, and in some cases how few, coin shops certain cities have, especially considering their populations.

Here in Lafayette, Louisiana, with a population of about 100,000, we've got a single coin shop. Add another 250,000 population for the immediate surrounding parishes (counties), and you see why I call Louisiana a numismatic wasteland.

What's your situation?

GSAGUY

Jamericon · February 23, 2004 2:47AM

Central Jersey.

Around 10 or so, probably within a hour drive from where I am.

Shamika · February 23, 2004 2:47AM

THe closest shop is 8 miles from my house and he's only open 9-3 Monday through Friday.

After that you have to go 40 miles.

CoinHusker · February 23, 2004 2:53AM

2, well, actually 3 but the third is never open it's by "appointment only" whatever that means. So much for brousing

bigbadchad777 · February 23, 2004 2:56AM

There is one shop within 65 miles of my house! And he is TOO expensive!

goose3 · February 23, 2004 2:58AM

There is actually quite a nice and large shop within minutes of our house. I have dealt with him for years and he has grown into quite a business. He even travels to nearly each Baltimore show and sets up!

other than that I don't think there are any within a couple of hours other than little junk shops with a few overpriced coins here and there.

coinlieutenant · February 23, 2004 2:58AM

four within ten minutes...

Tassa · February 23, 2004 3:03AM

Two. I think.

kieferscoins · February 23, 2004 3:05AM

100,000 people in my town and one shop.

Town just north has 500,000 people and one shop also.

Cameron Kiefer

FC57Coins · February 23, 2004 3:06AM

Actually in B'ham there's 3 which I think is probably 1 too many - but we'll see if this last one makes it. When I was in L'ville they had 4 or 5 up there and they all seemed to be established entities - That kinda surprised me but they all seemed to be holding their own.

MadMonk · February 23, 2004 3:07AM

One, and I've only bought bullion there.

cacheman · February 23, 2004 3:08AM

What's "immediate"? There is one crappy one about 40 miles away and another crappy one about 125 miles away. Anyway you look at it, it's a long crappy drive to visit a crappy shop and not bring home crap.

Tassa · February 23, 2004 3:10AM

<< <i>Actually in B'ham there's 3 which I think is probably 1 too many - but we'll see if this last one makes it. When I was in L'ville they had 4 or 5 up there and they all seemed to be established entities - That kinda surprised me but they all seemed to be holding their own. >>

Ahhh. I wasn't aware of a third. Where is it?

eisq222 · February 23, 2004 3:10AM

ONE

MacCoin · February 23, 2004 3:11AM

the closest is about 25 miles away.

Tsimmerdown · February 23, 2004 3:13AM

Goose3: LMAO at the dancing George W!!!

aRabidChipmunk · February 23, 2004 3:16AM

Population: 150,000

Coin shops: 1 (and it is only half a coin shop, the other half is jewelry)

kranky · February 23, 2004 4:10AM

Five at least, and I know of another opening soon. That's in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), about 1 million people.

I've been in one of them, about 20 years ago.

anablep · February 23, 2004 4:32AM

Here on Long Island there are at least 5 or 6 close to me. Two in my town alone and many more scattered about. I'm not sure how many there are in NYC and I haven't looked. Most here are within a 20 minute drive from home. Real nice and convenient.

MadMarty · February 23, 2004 4:59AM

In the Chicago Metro area (within a 50 radius of downtown Chicago) we have maybe 50 shops!

tonyhar · February 23, 2004 5:00AM

None on the Island. The nearest is in Dublin an airline flight away!

dlimb2 · February 23, 2004 5:04AM

FC57Coins, I remember years ago when my Uncle use to trade coins and guns and what nots...they use to trade at the Fleamarkets like on 280. I know many of them have rotted down now, so I dont know.

AmericanSilverEagleCoins · February 23, 2004 5:05AM

I got one less than 2 miles from me but I suspect he mostly sells consignments. None of the coins are his and he claims he cannot negotiate below the marked prices. Needless to say I donot buy anything but supplies from him.

jbsteven · February 23, 2004 5:06AM

Houston

4 million people

2 coin shops

Cladiator · February 23, 2004 5:22AM

1

mgoodm3 · February 23, 2004 5:26AM

One barely.

Stork · February 23, 2004 5:29AM

Closest one I know of is in Tokyo...about 1 1/2 hours away by train. Probably something closer in Yokohama, or even around the corner, but I can't read the phone book! (Maybe when I get to work I will see if someone can check the yellow pages for me).

relayer · February 23, 2004 5:33AM

Two - one is 8 miles to the east, the other is 8 miles to the west. I bought my house here just so I could be in the center.

Placid · February 23, 2004 5:33AM

One crappy one.

flaminio · February 23, 2004 5:35AM

There're a bunch around here (Silicon Vally, California) but I almost never go to them. Too expensive, and too limited selection. Honestly, if it wasn't for the Internet and online services like eBay I probably would have never gotten back into coin collecting.

jbsteven · February 23, 2004 5:44AM

even 50 miles around Houston there are only 2 shops

Marty

my pm's don't work at the office.

mrfred · February 23, 2004 5:45AM

Champaign-Urbana, east central Illinois.

Two shops. One recently changed hands. It's weird to go in there -- new people, new stock, new communcation patterns.

Oh - the other one does stamps too.

jdimmick · February 23, 2004 5:57AM

We have two.

One is about 5 miles, very nice guy, have known him since I was 5, but extremely high in price, although he does cut me some slack, but I still mainly buy just BU date set fillers for people from him. Like jefferson, Lincolns etc.

The other about the same, 5 miles, very nice guy and very fair on prices, but deals in a lot of junk including NTC graded stuff.

Nothing of any importance or scarce stuff comes thru here locally. I have to buy from outside this area for the good stuff.

Bunker · February 23, 2004 6:10AM

In the Cincinnati Bell Yellow pages there are 22 shops listed. I have been collecting for a long time and haven't heard of most of them. Out of the 22 shops listed there are 3 that I frequent on a regular basis.

There is also a monthly coin show held at a VFW hall that is about 6 miles from my house.

Reading some of the posts here I guess that explains why so many people buy coins on ebay....not much choice.

Rick

originalisbest · February 23, 2004 6:12AM

mrfred, I enjoyed very much going into both of those shops when I was a student at U of I - still have my purchases (such as they were) from that time there. Is Eliot's the one that changed hands? How is it now to go into? I attended from 90-94.

ealandg · February 23, 2004 6:24AM

In the Santa Barbara/Ventura, CA area there are 4 that I know of - one of them (Gillio) has great stuff, but is only open when I'm at work. He doesn't seem interested in filling my want list, so I usually buy on Ebay or on the net.

Nysoto · February 23, 2004 6:25AM

In the Seattle area there are about a 8-12. The one at the WA state convention center has the best selection. Most of these are combined with other stuff - magazines, prospecting equipment, old junk.

If you are in Ocean Shores, WA visit Gary's Seafood, Jerky, and Coin Shop.

razorface1027 · February 23, 2004 6:27AM

When I look in the yellow pages for coin shops in my area, I end up hoping in the car and going to the locale, only to find that their 2nd and 3rd rate pawn shops. I have only 1 real coins and currency shop that I frequent, and that's precisely what it is...

rkfish · February 23, 2004 6:43AM

one within an hour drive.....and not a lot of coins. Jewelry, watches, etc.....

Wondo · February 23, 2004 6:47AM

Zero real ones. The internet has destroyed the old brick and mortar coin shops. The only ones that are fiscally viable are those with a huge inventory or ones with a significant internet presence.

kranky · February 23, 2004 6:47AM

I wonder if anyone has studied any correlation between the number of coin shops and the success of coin shows - does a lack of nearby coin shops indicate a better venue for shows because there aren't other opportunities to buy?

WWW · February 23, 2004 6:48AM

Two in Boise (pop 190,000) and another two 20 miles west.

agentjim007 · February 23, 2004 7:02AM

4 within 5 minutes. None are really worth the trouble to go to except one is in the same strip mall I rent movies.

beartracks42 · February 23, 2004 7:17AM

We have one in our town...but he only does Ebay...nothing on his shelves or in his cases. I often wonder why he keeps the building...must own it. The closest real coin shop is 80 miles away in either Charleston, WV. or Clarksburg, WV. Several in Columbus, OH. which is 100 miles away.

MadMarty.... My son just moved to Chicago....I will expect the "Straight Skinny" from you when I visit him in the next 2-3 months.

Gary

grip · February 23, 2004 7:25AM

One in El Paso,and never know when hes open.
Al

islemangu · February 23, 2004 7:29AM

Zero, zilch, nada........closest using English maybe 7 hour flight to Hawaii

ksteelheader · February 23, 2004 7:34AM

There are three within 5 miles of me, and they are all great guys to deal with.....Ken

JrGMan2004 · February 23, 2004 7:35AM

3 for me... 1 guy sold me, what I later learned, was a cleaned coin... another is under investigation for Mail and Wire fraud by the FTC inconjuction with the US Mint.. and the other place, is also a jewelry place, but I've never been in there... but I'm fairly content b/c of EBay and b/c there are 2 fairly large semi-annual regional shows within an hour away, 1 has their Spring show this weekend, plus FUN when it's in Orlando... and another 2 or 3 smaller local shows

SDSportsFan · February 23, 2004 7:36AM

One where I live in Great Falls MT. There's one in Helena (Wayne Miller) 90 miles away, one in Missoula (180 miles away) and one more in Billings (225 miles away). Each city has around 40,000 to 55,000 people.

Steve

cladking · February 23, 2004 7:40AM

North West Indiana is an embarrassment of riches for coin shops. Not only do we
have the five big shops here but there are numerous shops in South Bend, Indiana-
polis, Chicago, and Milwaukee Wisconsin which can be reached easily. There are also
some major Indiana dealers in the southern part of the state who deal in wholesale,
market-making or melting, but these are much farther off.

The Mid West is generally pretty good for collecting.

boiler78 · February 23, 2004 7:48AM

The closest coin shop is 40 miles away in Ft. Wayne!

One of the problems with living in BFE!

How many coin shops are in your immediate area?

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