Are you ever embarassed to spend a lot of time looking at a <$50 coin at a show?

Longacre · October 27, 2005 4:28AM

I was at the White Plains show recently. I found two large cents that I was interested in. Both were pretty common and fairly worn. After reading the posts on these boards, I know that copper can be laden with problems, such as corrosion, pitting, etc. The coins I was looking at were around $30 each. So like the good numismatist that I am

, I took out my loupe, I was looking at the coin at different angles, trying to get the light right, etc., etc. I maybe spent about 5 minutes or so looking at the two coins. When I finally snapped "out of the zone", I noticed the dealer was looking at me with this exasperated look on his face, as if to say, "I can't believe this guy is spending so much time looking at a $30 coin." Because I would like a "nice" large cent for my type set, should I spend so much time with such an inexpensive coin? Should I have felt embarassed by spending 5 minutes looking at two $30 coins? Also note that the dealer's table wasn't busy, so it was not like he couldn't service other customers while I was obsessing. what do you think?

mgoodm3 · October 27, 2005 4:30AM

Yes.

ziggy29 · October 27, 2005 4:30AM

No, not at all. If the dealer doesn't want to deal with people examining a $30 coin at a show, he shouldn't bring $30 coins to the show.

Peaceman · October 27, 2005 4:33AM

Sounds like you need to look at more coins of the same series to get yourself used to what to look for, what the problems are and if the coin you are holding has one.... I think I finally "got it" after looking at about 10,000 Peace $...... It just takes time, but once you know what to look for and what it should look like you will spend a lot less time making a descision on a coin....

ttown · October 27, 2005 4:40AM

I love shopping for bargins in the under $50 range, nothing wrong with that. I build my albums with these type of coins but some dealers want to make the quick high dollar score without having to help the little guy or collector.

nwcs · October 27, 2005 4:44AM

Nope, not even a $5 one

seanq · October 27, 2005 4:45AM

First of all, pretty much all I buy are coins under $50, so I have no problem with studying them carefully before the purchase.

Second of all, if you're talking about the October White Plains show (not the club show), then I spent an inordinate amount of time studying a couple of large cents there, too. These were very low grade but very early and interesting coins. I went back to the table three times before finally chickening out and leaving the coins behind.

Sean Reynolds

ecos · October 27, 2005 4:48AM

If I was, I would not be looking at very many coins.

If i'm going to buy a coin, I am going to take my time to look at it.

<$5, <$15, <$30 it's all relative.

Barry · October 27, 2005 4:54AM

It's the lawyer in you. You're used to billing by the minute

Seriously though, there's a lot to be said for first impressions. Did you like the coin at first glance? If not, stop there. If yes, then spend some time with the loupe, but I think 30 seconds would be sufficient. Don't forget how much time graders spend with each coin.

291fifth · October 27, 2005 5:35AM

It won't be long before dealers are delighted that anyone is taking the time to look at their coins at shows. At a recent local club show at about 1:00 in the afternoon there were only two collectors visible in the room. This used to be a very well attended show.

1907Quarter · October 27, 2005 5:36AM

how are you supposed to learn withOUT taking the time?! Take as much time as you need on any coin. someone doesn't like it, screw them. Just be courtious.

Theop · October 27, 2005 5:40AM

Maybe he looked that way because he was worried that you were about to cherrypick him.

Preussen · October 27, 2005 5:41AM

<< No, not at all. If the dealer doesn't want to deal with people examining a $30 coin at a show, he shouldn't bring $30 coins to the show. >>

- Preussen

DJC · October 27, 2005 5:43AM

<< someone doesn't like it, screw them. Just be courtious. >>

I have absolutely nothing to add that hasn't already been said here, but I just really like that bit of text above

<< someone doesn't like it, screw them. Just be courtious. >>

BlindedByEgo · October 27, 2005 5:44AM

<< Maybe he looked that way because he was worried that you were about to cherrypick him. >>

DANG IT! I was gonna say that.

I woulda thought you were just another one of them cherrypicker fools.

I wouldn'ta given you a hard time though - you the customer. Heck, you might have more money to spend one day

13PacesEast · October 27, 2005 5:56AM

fishheads !!!

i'll take as long as i take.

it's my money. not his, yet.

even if it is modern crap.

Conder101 · October 27, 2005 6:22AM

You should see me tying to attribute an AG 1798 or 1800. I can spend 20 minutes to half an hour trying to work out whether I need some $20 coin. (I've been known to work on dateless ones for a couple of days.

I know, why spend so much time on a DATELESS one! Well that was how I got my 1799 S-188. Even a dateless 1799 is getting close to $1000 now.)

1907Quarter · October 27, 2005 6:29AM

Conder-that's a fabulous thought, the perfect reason to take your time!

RiotAct · October 27, 2005 11:39AM

<< Are you ever embarassed to spend a lot of time looking at a <$50 coin at a show? >>

Well, I'm going to a coin show this Sunday, and I'm only bringing about $30 with me, so..... no!

BillJones · October 27, 2005 11:51AM

No I look at inexpensive items all the time. As a spcialist in Civil War tokens, I used to spent lots of time looking at items that cost less than $20. Then the prices went up, and I have become less embarrassed.

Of late I've been filling in my collection of modern commemorative coins. Most of those cost less than $50.

Hobbyist · October 27, 2005 11:58AM

I certainly have no problems putting a loupe to even a 50 cent coin...and taking as much time as I need to go over it and see what I want to see.

I don't know about more than 5 straight minutes under a loupe

, but I am sure I spend more time looking at coins I am going to buy than a grader at a TPG would when grading it. But, then again, I plan to live with the coin longer than they do.

I think if you have a system or a routine as to where and how you look at a coin, it can help too. However you do it and however you find it works for you, do it the same way on every coin and you will be less likely to worry about missing something.

Edited for spelling...as usual.

fc · October 27, 2005 12:19PM

this question is so amazing.

coins have become so collectable that spending 30-50 dollars might be considered
insignificant. that astounds me.

being a gold collector, the high melt value puts me over the 50 range, but I think
30 dollars is still quite a bit of money for silver/copper.

jabba · October 27, 2005 12:35PM

Maybe he was just in shock to see some one take the time to look at the coin and not just drop the cash and go?

RYK · October 27, 2005 1:47PM

I spend as much time as I need to whether the coin is $30, $300, $3000, or

. For raw coin purchases, especially in series in which I am not comfortable, I tend to spend more time, regardless of the price range. Frankly, I think one of the great advantages to buying by mail is that there is less pressure to make a decision and no one watching my coin examining rituals.

MrHalfDime · October 27, 2005 2:08PM

You should never feel embarassed about spending time looking at low priced coins. Just as long as you are considerate to the dealer, and do not unnecessarily tie up his table and time, you are free to study his wares as you like. By studying a coin so closely, though, you are in danger of becoming a 'numismatist', as distinguished from an 'investor' or 'hole filler'.

You never know what you might find when looking closely at lower priced coins. Several years ago, while searching for half dimes at the Baystate Coin Show in Boston, I happened upon a dealer who had the ubiquitous low grade 'type box', so I searched it for interesting half dimes. In it I found a G-6 1830 Capped Bust half dime with a very large obverse cud at star 5-6, which I had never seen before. I studied that coin for the longest time, trying to make sense of it and relate it to the available literature. Like yourself, I finally woke up and purchased the coin, for further study at home . It turned out to be the second known example of the 1830 V13/LM-5, which had just been discovered by Dr. Eric Gutcher only weeks earlier. "Embarassed" does not adequately describe my jubilation at cherrypicking what was then an R8 die marriage!

coinnut86 · October 27, 2005 2:27PM

I know that when I go to the Antique drive in Walnut, Iowa, I spend lots of time examining a cheap coin... however I guess I dont consider myself as serious of a collector as most of you, since 30 bucks is a lot for me to spend on a coin. Could be cuz I'm young, could be cuz I don't have a lot of money, but its probably both

Myqqy · October 27, 2005 2:47PM

I think that you should always take as much time as you need, provided that you are not inconveniencing others significantly.....

seanq · October 27, 2005 2:50PM

<< You should see me tying to attribute an AG 1798 or 1800. I can spend 20 minutes to half an hour trying to work out whether I need some $20 coin. (I've been known to work on dateless ones for a couple of days.

I know, why spend so much time on a DATELESS one! Well that was how I got my 1799 S-188. Even a dateless 1799 is getting close to $1000 now.) >>

Conder - one of the large cents I kept going back for was a 1800/1798. It was heavily corroded, and about all of the obverse that I could make out was the shape of the bust and the first 0 over the 9.

I'm really afraid that this is the point where you tell me I made a terrible mistake.

Sean Reynolds

atarian · October 27, 2005 3:04PM

well i have my routine to how i look at a coin under a loop weather its a wheaty at rite aid in the till and me sittin there at the register with the loop diesiding if i want it as the cashier seperates the credit slips. or if im a show or a shop or an auction looking at a gold piece i take my sweet ass time. i think you do it your way and if it helps you then do. just dont hold up the line of people with their loops waiting to take a turn

relayer · October 27, 2005 4:14PM

Not as embarassed as the dealer sitting there thinking "I hope he buys my $30 coin"

morgannut2 · October 27, 2005 6:43PM

Same thing happened to me. I pulled a roll of cash out of my pocket and said I was also looking for a 1794 Dollar in G-4 - did he think he could find one in the $30-40K dollar area at the show? He became very helpful--although I know there are no cheap '94's around!

Conder101 · October 27, 2005 7:22PM

<< Conder - one of the large cents I kept going back for was a 1800/1798. It was heavily corroded, and about all of the obverse that I could make out was the shape of the bust and the first 0 over the 9.

I'm really afraid that this is the point where you tell me I made a terrible mistake. >>

First question is "Are you sure it was a 1800/1798?" There are 6 different overdated obverse dies in 1800 and they are used to create eleven different die varieties. One of which is scarce, one is rare, four are very to extremely rare, and five are common. If it WAS the 1800/98 then there are four varieties. One common, one scarce, and two extremely rare. (one of them is unique)

seanq · October 27, 2005 11:18PM

<< 

<< Conder - one of the large cents I kept going back for was a 1800/1798. It was heavily corroded, and about all of the obverse that I could make out was the shape of the bust and the first 0 over the 9.

I'm really afraid that this is the point where you tell me I made a terrible mistake. >>

First question is "Are you sure it was a 1800/1798?" There are 6 different overdated obverse dies in 1800 and they are used to create eleven different die varieties. One of which is scarce, one is rare, four are very to extremely rare, and five are common. If it WAS the 1800/98 then there are four varieties. One common, one scarce, and two extremely rare. (one of them is unique) >>

I can't remember, I know the flip was marked "1800/1798" but that doesn't really mean anything. I looked through a couple of those catalogs you sold me last night

, from what I can remember of the coin it was probably S-192 or S-193. I couldn't really make out the date except for the first 0, which was very obviously over a 9.

Knowing the dealer who had it, there's a pretty good chance it will still be sitting in his inventory come the November WESPNEX show, I may try and revisit it then.

Sean Reynolds

ms70 · October 27, 2005 11:25PM

I wouldn't be embarassed one bit. I hold a $1 coin to the same standard as a $5000 coin before it becomes part of my collection.

AgMe · October 27, 2005 11:38PM

No, but then again I'm a collector.

~g

meos1 · October 28, 2005 5:15AM

Nothing to be embarrased about at all.

Man · October 28, 2005 5:21AM

Never, I feel bad when I spend over $100, but I still spend it.

Are you ever embarassed to spend a lot of time looking at a <$50 coin at a show?

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Are you ever embarassed to spend a lot of time looking at a &lt;$50 coin at a show?

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Are you ever embarassed to spend a lot of time looking at a <$50 coin at a show?