Coins and Flea Markets...

OneCent · February 15, 2008 11:31AM

I haven't been to a flea market in 25 years. My Pop used to go religiously and I would tag along. SInce I got back into coin collecting I've often thought about going to local flea markets looking for some cheap treasures.

Anyone have luck with flea markets and getting exceptional "buys" on coins?

tmot99 · February 15, 2008 11:32AM

I've occassionally found some stuff, but never absolute steals.

seemyauction · February 15, 2008 11:32AM

One thing is for sure................you'll never know unless you go and see

ricko · February 15, 2008 12:21PM

Worth going to.. but the treasures are few... without looking, you will never find them. Cheers, RickO

anablep · February 15, 2008 12:38PM

Its fun to go. I think the anticipation of finding something is usually more exciting than ever really finding something worthwhile. I've has moderate success over the past couple of years. Nothing to write home about.

speety · February 15, 2008 12:57PM

My favorite CBH of all time came from a flea market. It was my first 'large purchase' i ever made, $70 seemed like a lot for a 12 year old. Talk about a Crusty Busty!

Newcomp103 · February 15, 2008 1:03PM

My 1996-W Roosevelt dime in the original packaging was found at a flea market....for $6.00!

tincup · February 15, 2008 1:06PM

Good finds can be had, but they are very few and far between. Also.... flea markets are well stocked with fakes, so beware!

vplite · February 15, 2008 1:11PM

It depends on the flea market. Most are a waste of time for coins.

But some some are gold mines, and some are full of worthless and fake crap.

LincolnCentMan · February 15, 2008 1:11PM

I bought a 1954 date set at a fee market one time. I paid twice retail for what it SHOULD have been worth. The cent slabbed PCGS MS66RD.

-David

RichieURich · February 15, 2008 1:31PM

<< My 1996-W Roosevelt dime in the original packaging was found at a flea market....for $6.00!

>>

I found one at a coin show (from a well-known dealer) for $1!

percyb · February 15, 2008 1:33PM

Yes. Last week I found some useless 43 S cents that I thought were Zinc coated but they were reprocessed....cost me 5.95 for that. But I did pick up some raw silver....maybe $20 for 7.95 so it was a wash. You can find some things, but bring your knowledge and a price guide because those people selling coins there are business people, not morons, and they often over charge or over price items.

mojoman · February 15, 2008 2:43PM

<< Worth going to.. but the treasures are few... without looking, you will never find them. Cheers, RickO >>

you are right ,I used be able to find some deals,a few nice coins also, but latly they all seem to have redbook prices, top$$ for not so top coins, I have not bought a coin in 2 years at the llocal flea market

mozin · February 15, 2008 2:50PM

I bought a few Bust coins from flea market sellers about forty years ago. Never was able to get even one encapsulated by the regular grading services. Sold them all for a loss.

1794half1839 · February 15, 2008 4:04PM

You may be able to pick up some junk silver, raw circ type, etc. Beware of trade dollars, bust dollars, and any other commonly counterfeited coins.

BECOKA · February 15, 2008 4:07PM

You might find some cheap fun stuff but unless you come across a low grade variety, most likely it will only be fun and cheap.

jmj3esq · February 15, 2008 7:41PM

My local flea market always has a few good dealers and a lot of nice coins. I have bought too many nice things to post. I did find a nice accented hair kennedy 1964 proof set still in the cello. They dealer did nt know about the accented hair variety and probably didnt care. The set cost me about $9.00.

ernie11 · February 15, 2008 7:48PM

Great finds are few and far between, but when they happen, you remember them fondly. About 8 years ago I found an 1895-O Morgan VG on a flea market table for $10. Not long after, an 1897-O dime G for $2 at an antique mall.

coinkat · February 15, 2008 9:11PM

I have found some interesting items... a 1946 DDR that would slab at 55 or 58, an 1865 IHC that graded 63, and afew world coins that turned out okay. I also found a worn 1837 or 38 Bust that only Mad Martycould love it. It is worn beyond belief

ahooka454 · February 16, 2008 12:31AM

I have been lucky at flea markets for coins. My only suggestion is be very careful. I was followed out of the flea market by two guys that were hovering around the coin dealers table. They saw I bought some stuff and thought they may try to get it from me. Big mistake when you have a carry permit. They were taken in to custody.

I alwasy watch my surroundings at these places. It seems like the dredges of our society attend these as well.

tahoe98 · February 16, 2008 3:04AM

the bad thing with flea markets is you'll always find a weisenheimer that thinks the old coin is worth at least the 'date' in dollars!.........

( 1938 buff=$1938)

Newcomp103 · February 16, 2008 3:15AM

<< the bad thing with flea markets is you'll always find a weisenheimer that thinks the old coin is worth at least the 'date' in dollars!.........

( 1938 buff=$1938)

>>

ahooka454 · February 16, 2008 3:22AM

theump · February 16, 2008 4:48AM

Besides just finding the usual silver a bit cheaper than melt, I actually picked up a 1921-D and 1921 Merc for a grand total of $7.

The 21-D came back PCGS F15 and 21 came back PCGS VG10. That's a GS total of $225, so I would say I did ok.

I also picked up a bunch of other key date Merc's from the same guy that I have not had graded, but nothing like the 21-D and 21 dates.

UtahCoin · February 16, 2008 4:54AM

<< Worth going to.. but the treasures are few... without looking, you will never find them. Cheers, RickO >>

What Rick said.

I did find a genuine Trade Dollar several years ago at a flea market.

It's like garage selling, 99% junk, 1% treasure. I bought a Coleman stove at a yard sell a few years ago for $5, turned out it was from 1938 and I sold it on eBay to a buyer in Japan for $200.

crispy · February 16, 2008 5:24AM

Flea markets - home of the "attach the pricing sticker directly to the coin". Not a lot of success, but I collect other things besides coins so I like making the rounds when I can.

percyb · February 16, 2008 5:49AM

<< 

I always watch my surroundings at these places. It seems like the dredges of our society attend these as well. >>

A good reminder, thanks!

streeter · February 16, 2008 5:57AM

"seems like the dredges of our society attend these as well......"

That must be why I feel at home.

I did find a 52 proof set with a deep cameo half and a superbird....and an amazing toned roosy in it(at ASK). Same flea, different vender, 1899 Black eagle $1 and horse blanket both very decent for a hundred bucks.

But generally......a complete waste of time.

PerryHall · February 16, 2008 7:34AM

Flea markets are a lot of fun and a good opportunity to stretch your legs. There's a lot more than just coins there to interest you.

DoubleDime · February 16, 2008 9:51AM

I once bought a group of "Old Lady Quarters" for 50c each. They where S.B.A. Dollars.

OneCent · February 16, 2008 10:05AM

fc · February 16, 2008 10:20AM

i enjoy antique and collectable stores more then flea markets now
days.

i have found flea markets to have too much junk to entertain me.
i would rather be at a collectable/antique store and at least have
a chance to look at higher quality stuff.

i do not mind paying for what something is worth when i know i can
find a buyer for even more on ebay.

for example, 10 silver certs, consecutive serial for 30 bucks in crisp condition.
i know i could get 50+ on the bay.

flea markets waste too much of my time, especially when it comes to
furniture.

ambro51 · February 16, 2008 10:22AM

Not exactly a coin....but at a tiny church yard sale in my town I picked up an "old book".

That OLD BOOK was an 1845 First Edition of Frederick Douglass 'Narrative of an American Slave".

Even better, it was one of the super rare softcover oversize editions that was smuggled into southern ports sewn into the clothing of free black sailors.

Last appraisal I got on it was $4000

Paid Twenty Five Cents......(and I didnt even try to get them down on the price )

direwolf1972 · February 16, 2008 10:33AM

My wife brought this home from the flea market a few months ago. She got out with it for a nice price of $10.

olmanjon · February 16, 2008 11:00AM

I am a greysider also and I gets lots of deals on silver old foreign. Mostly British and German. Its there, you just have to look. The looking for me is half the fun of collecting coins. For me it is a hobby not to get rich. Enjoy what you find and don't worry about the time spent looking. You only live once.

PerryHall · February 16, 2008 8:55PM

<< i would rather be at a collectable/antique store and at least have
a chance to look at higher quality stuff. >>

Higher quality or just higher priced?

coinkat · February 16, 2008 9:20PM

Flea Markets and antique shows can both be a source of entertainment. I think the difference depends largely on what you are seeking...

291fifth · February 16, 2008 9:51PM

Make sure you are very adept at detecting counterfeit and altered coins.

dorancoins · February 16, 2008 10:58PM

If I go to the flea market, I do look for coins and coin books for my library. But I stop short of getting my hopes up too high, as we all know that those flea market dealers tend to sell overpriced (and, in some cases, cleaned) coins.

hyf88 · February 17, 2008 1:29AM

There definitely can be some good stuff, but you have to really keep an eye out for it. Over the past few years I have picked up a 1980-P nickel on a cent planchet in VF/XF for $22, an 1825 bust quarter in VG/F for $35 and several other good deals as well. I have alos sen Brillo cleaned Morgans for $50. At the very least it's always nice to go out and get some exercise and see what "treasures" might be lurking behind one of those singing fish on a plaque...

tydye · February 17, 2008 1:45AM

It is like looking for a needle in the haystack, but I enjoy it and sometime you can find that needle. I have shown this before but it is a flea market find. Cowtown, NJ circa 1998 find

09sVDB · February 17, 2008 5:13AM

My best find: A 1878CC raw VF35 Morgan for $30 about seven years ago.

Coins and Flea Markets...

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