Can one dealer be a specialist in multimple areas?

Torrero · December 7, 2005 7:03AM

I'm going through a collection I inherited which contains some valuable pieces based on the prices my Dad paid. But their is a mix of coins like really old halfcents and some 50 cents from the 1920s and even a couple proof gold coins. Can I use a dealer to help me with all this stuff or do I need to seek speicialsist.?

ziggy29 · December 7, 2005 7:05AM

I'd say it's possible to be a specialist in multiple areas...but not too many. By the time you get to 4-5 "specialties," you're becoming more of a generalist, most likely.

GOLDGUY · December 7, 2005 7:22AM

You can use a single dealer . . . . ONE dealer in particular, comes immediately to mind!

relayer · December 7, 2005 7:35AM

It's complexity that leads to specialization and I'm not so sure coins are all that complex.

A well rounded full-time dealer should be aware of the key dates and varieties for all series. If they're not, they should take a couple of days and sit down and make a list.

It seems like you could have some nice stuff there (the gold proofs sound promising). A coins value is tied it's supply in a given condition.

Dealers are in the business to make money buying and selling coins, so you may get lowball offers. But you can pay for an evaluation of your collection since somebody will have to sit down and look at each coin - which takes time.

What you want most is someone with integrity and you can find some of those dealers here on the Coin Forum.

pharmer · December 7, 2005 7:35AM

I agree, Blue Moon would be my choice as well.

hi Torrero

Torrero · December 7, 2005 7:38AM

Thanks for your input. What is "blue moon"?

Jason

questor54 · December 7, 2005 7:39AM

<< Thanks for your input. What is "blue moon"?

Jason >>

That was a joke, I believe.

pharmer · December 7, 2005 7:41AM

A dealer who I assumed goldguy was referring to. My advice is for you to take your time, learn about coins in general and these coins specifically, resist selling until that has been accomplished.

GOLDGUY · December 7, 2005 7:47AM

Actually, GOLDGUY was referring to himself, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek way!!

mrearlygold · December 7, 2005 7:47AM

<< You can use a single dealer . . . . ONE dealer in particular, comes immediately to mind!

>>

Yup, I agree

Torrero · December 7, 2005 7:51AM

I don't have the interest in coins like my dad did. I have time but think its best I spent it researching the most honest and effective dealer to help rther than spend it researching the coins themself. AM I wrong?

BlindedByEgo · December 7, 2005 7:55AM

<< Actually, GOLDGUY was referring to himself, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek way!!

>>

And some of us actually figgered that one

out on our own

Welcome, Torrero. Almost anyone on this board with more than, say, 868 posts would be

happy to get a PM from you and help you out

I'm with Pharmer - hang on to your Dad's coins and learn as much as you can

before you seek out dealers - generalists OR specialists. And have fun!

Conder101 · December 7, 2005 9:57PM

<< I don't have the interest in coins like my dad did. I have time but think its best I spent it researching the most honest and effective dealer to help rther than spend it researching the coins themself. AM I wrong? >>

It depends on what you eventually plan to do with them. If you spend the researching the dealers you will either end up selling the coins, or if you keep running into the bad dealers, dumping them back in storage. If you spend the time researching the coins there is a fair chance you will wind up keeping them and adding to them.

coinguy1 · December 7, 2005 10:05PM

<< I have time but think its best I spent it researching the most honest and effective dealer to help rther than spend it researching the coins themself... >>

I would recommend that you do a bit of both.

DrPete · December 7, 2005 10:39PM

Also,

No matter what you do, DON"T CLEAN the coins! Get one or more reputible dealers to look at them, if you wish.

Longacre · December 7, 2005 10:45PM

There are a bunch of fine dealers on these boards who you should get to know first, who I am sure can help you. I think it is possible for someone to have broad-based experience.

BaronVonBaugh · December 7, 2005 11:31PM

You could always get offers from several dealers and then put them on ebay with a reserve set at their offer. Although if you have anything special you will probably get cherrypicked.

carl · December 8, 2005 12:09AM

You never said what your plans were with that collection. Are you going to continue it and become a collector? Are you a coin collector now? Are you going to sell it? Why would you want a dealer to help with whatever you plan on doing? First of all if you've been on this forum for even a month you should have noticed lots of helpful ideas on where coin values can be found, what to do with coins, where to buy and sell coins, etc. Why not invest in a simple Red Book, get a little self education as to types, conditions, values, years, mints, etc. Then when and if you go to a coin dealer you will at least know something of what your doing. Think of coins as if they were a car. Going to a used auto dealer ( for instance) and letting them know you know nothing about cars will certainly get you into trouble. Why do the same with might be a valuable coin collection.
Spend a little time on this forum asking questions. There are a lot of really coin educated individuals here that are always, sometimes, willing to help. Stick around.

Torrero · December 8, 2005 12:34AM

I am definately selling the collection but might hold one or two special pieces(sentimental reasons). Coin collecting never appealed to me like it does othersand I don't have enough understandingor confidence in the investment side. There's a lot of money involved at leasr for me.

Jason

CarlWohlforth · December 8, 2005 2:25AM

If the proof gold is old then it is special and possible worth a lot. If it is modern bullion (1986 or newer) it is still more valuable then last year because gold is now over $500/oz. Early half cents are neat and can be valuable also.

Several trustworthy dealers have already replied to this thread. I'm not sure if any of them live close to you. If you can take photos the folks here would be happy to help identify what you have.

edited to answer your question: Yes one dealer can help you. If you have anything super special a good dealer would know a specialist who would pay the most for that item.

dthigpen · December 8, 2005 2:26AM

<< Actually, GOLDGUY was referring to himself, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek way!!

>>

Does Goldguy often speak of himself in the third person? dthigpen would like to know.

GOLDGUY · December 8, 2005 2:32AM

"Does Goldguy often speak of himself in the third person?

No. GOLDGUY rarely speaks of himself in that way. GOLDGUY's work here is done now. GOLDGUY is going to go back to work.

dthigpen · December 8, 2005 2:33AM

<< "Does Goldguy often speak of himself in the third person?

No. GOLDGUY rarely speaks of himself in that way. GOLDGUY's work here is done now. GOLDGUY is going to go back to work. >>

LucyBop · December 8, 2005 2:33AM

<< 

<< Actually, GOLDGUY was referring to himself, albeit in a tongue-in-cheek way!!

>>

Does Goldguy often speak of himself in the third person? dthigpen would like to know. >>

Why would anybody speak in this manner? Glad the HepKitty doesn't do it! Be Bop A Lula!

taxbuster1040 · December 8, 2005 2:43AM

I think i would take a different approach. I would send the more valuable coins off to pcgs to be graded(especially the proof gold and high grade uncirculated coins. Once you got them back it would be relatively easy to ascertain their approximate value from the archive of Heritage auctions or pcgs price guide, both online. Armed with this info, then I would either go to a dealer or sell them at a Heritage auction.

majorbigtime · December 8, 2005 3:19AM

Sure. Some are switch hitters!

Torrero · December 9, 2005 6:11AM

Thanks again for all the advice. I think ive got it nailed down to a couple dealers already. Thanks also for ther private messages some you sent with your fave dealers.

Jason

majorbigtime · December 10, 2005 5:50AM

What's a " multimple area"?

BillJones · December 10, 2005 5:57AM

<< 

<< Thanks for your input. What is "blue moon"?

Jason >>

That was a joke, I believe. >>

From what I've seen on eBay, "Blue Moon" means you get a fair deal from him once in a blue moon.

tmot99 · December 10, 2005 6:08AM

Torrero, it might be beneficial to take a few pictures of some of the pieces and post them on here. Some forum members can give you specific details on them to know if there is any premium to be paid on what you have.

PerryHall · December 10, 2005 8:35AM

<< What's a " multimple area"? >>

It's a typo. What did you think it was?

majorbigtime · December 11, 2005 1:44AM

<< 

<< What's a " multimpimple area"? >>

It's a typo. What did you think it was? >>

An area with a lot of zits??

Can one dealer be a specialist in multimple areas?

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