Options
I’d better stick to the coin shops in the genteel Connecticut ‘burbs, rather than trying to run with
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
The Man™ is traveling this week, so I punched out at around 11:30, and drove a little less than a mile to Sam Sloat Coins, located in tony Westport, CT, home of Paul Newman, Martha Stewart, and other sundry moguls and baronesses. I posted a thread last week about my visit to Stack’s in New York City, while I was attending a meeting there. My visit to Stack’s was less than promising, but I am happy to report that my visit to Sam Sloat’s was significantly better.
As I arrived in the parking lot, these two college age girls wearing excessively short shorts got out of their car at the same time, and I thought for a minute they were also going to the coin shop (see picture below as a basis for my assumption). However, they walked into the boutique clothing store that is next to Sloat. Not having a need for any new dresses at this point, I entered Sam Sloat’s instead.
In stark contrast to Stack’s, this coin store is very well lit, and very clean. There is no dark wood paneling at Sam Sloat’s, unlike the deep vintage mahoganies and burled walnut that surround the equally vintage Stack employees. As you enter Sam Sloat, there are cases arranged in a “U” pattern around the perimeter of the rectangular showroom, and there are display cases in the middle of the “U”. All of the cases were made of very nice polished glass, and the displays were crisp.
I first entered, and looked to my left. On the first half of the left side, Sam Sloat has a rather extensive sports card collectibles section. Not being very interested in that, I continued walking forward, and noticed in one of the center display cases, they had a signed Ty Cobb letter, as well as a signed Elston Howard baseball card. There were other signed cards in the case as well. Moving up on the right side, there was a display of jewelry, and then (please don’t tell Mrs. Longacre), they were selling a bunch of very rare Tiffany silverware. I quickly walked past that case, as I nearly got sickened by the amount of assistance Mrs. L. has provided to Tiffany’s making their number each quarter.
I finally reached the coin section of the store, which is about half of the display cases. I was shocked when some very nice gentleman behind the counter actually said hello and greeted me when I walked in. Again, not to dog Stack’s, but when I visited that venerable institution, the only person who acknowledged me was a big dude with a six shooter (I hear his name is Jose), who would have filled Longacre with lead at the slightest provocation. Needless to say, because I did not fear bodily harm, I was much more relaxed at Sloat.
I asked the kind gentleman if he had any large cents or half cents, because I wanted to get an inexpensive example for my nephew who is visiting this week. He said that he didn’t have any in the case (see my previous thread about starting slow or swinging for the fences), but he had a box of “product coins” (my term) that I could look through. Rather than explaining that I only deal with excessively rare coins, I humored him and asked to see the box.
Now what happened next was completely shocking. He took the box out of the case, he handed me a felt pad, and then he left and went into the back of the store!! Longacre was there, completely alone, with an entire box of large cents. There was no guy with a gun hawking over me, no supervision, no employees. Things like this do not happen in the Big City, but I suppose they happen in the Connecticut ‘burbs.
I ended up finding a nice 1798 large cent that I would grade around Good on a decent day. The date is bold, and BERTY shows up pretty well. The reverse is better than the obverse. I think my nephew will get a kick out of having a cent from the 1700’s, and that is why I bought it. The gentleman cheerfully rang up my purchase, and, again, I almost fell over, when he actually said “thank you”. He also called me sir a few times, which was a nice touch.
Before I left, I checked out the other coins in the cases. If anyone is looking for classic commemoratives in OGH, you should give Sam Sloat a call. They had a bunch of really nice ones. I also saw a few really nice (and very, very original) Connecticut commemoratives, as well as a nice Bridgeport. They had a lot of Morgan dollars on display, as well as some Trade dollars, and Peace dollars. They also had a bunch of Barber coins, quarter dollars, nickels, and other items. Their gold section was pretty limited, although I hear that if you want the excessively rare stuff, you have to ask for “what’s in the back”.
After walking around for a while, I took a quick look at the center displays. They had a nice display of a pillar dollar, and some antiques from the era, like canon balls, an old key, a lock, and other items. They also had a bunch of currency for sale (RYK, please don’t get yourself into a frenzy
).
All in all, it was a very positive experience, and I walked out of there proud to be a numismatist. Also, to prove that Longacre is truly a Man of the People™, I scarfed down a quarter pounder with cheese among the hoi polloi at the local McDonald’s, before venturing back to the office, and re-chaining myself to The Man’s™ desk.
Finally, here is the reason why I thought those girls were going into the coin shop The sign is just outside the door of Sloat’s:
As I arrived in the parking lot, these two college age girls wearing excessively short shorts got out of their car at the same time, and I thought for a minute they were also going to the coin shop (see picture below as a basis for my assumption). However, they walked into the boutique clothing store that is next to Sloat. Not having a need for any new dresses at this point, I entered Sam Sloat’s instead.
In stark contrast to Stack’s, this coin store is very well lit, and very clean. There is no dark wood paneling at Sam Sloat’s, unlike the deep vintage mahoganies and burled walnut that surround the equally vintage Stack employees. As you enter Sam Sloat, there are cases arranged in a “U” pattern around the perimeter of the rectangular showroom, and there are display cases in the middle of the “U”. All of the cases were made of very nice polished glass, and the displays were crisp.
I first entered, and looked to my left. On the first half of the left side, Sam Sloat has a rather extensive sports card collectibles section. Not being very interested in that, I continued walking forward, and noticed in one of the center display cases, they had a signed Ty Cobb letter, as well as a signed Elston Howard baseball card. There were other signed cards in the case as well. Moving up on the right side, there was a display of jewelry, and then (please don’t tell Mrs. Longacre), they were selling a bunch of very rare Tiffany silverware. I quickly walked past that case, as I nearly got sickened by the amount of assistance Mrs. L. has provided to Tiffany’s making their number each quarter.
I finally reached the coin section of the store, which is about half of the display cases. I was shocked when some very nice gentleman behind the counter actually said hello and greeted me when I walked in. Again, not to dog Stack’s, but when I visited that venerable institution, the only person who acknowledged me was a big dude with a six shooter (I hear his name is Jose), who would have filled Longacre with lead at the slightest provocation. Needless to say, because I did not fear bodily harm, I was much more relaxed at Sloat.
I asked the kind gentleman if he had any large cents or half cents, because I wanted to get an inexpensive example for my nephew who is visiting this week. He said that he didn’t have any in the case (see my previous thread about starting slow or swinging for the fences), but he had a box of “product coins” (my term) that I could look through. Rather than explaining that I only deal with excessively rare coins, I humored him and asked to see the box.
Now what happened next was completely shocking. He took the box out of the case, he handed me a felt pad, and then he left and went into the back of the store!! Longacre was there, completely alone, with an entire box of large cents. There was no guy with a gun hawking over me, no supervision, no employees. Things like this do not happen in the Big City, but I suppose they happen in the Connecticut ‘burbs.
I ended up finding a nice 1798 large cent that I would grade around Good on a decent day. The date is bold, and BERTY shows up pretty well. The reverse is better than the obverse. I think my nephew will get a kick out of having a cent from the 1700’s, and that is why I bought it. The gentleman cheerfully rang up my purchase, and, again, I almost fell over, when he actually said “thank you”. He also called me sir a few times, which was a nice touch.
Before I left, I checked out the other coins in the cases. If anyone is looking for classic commemoratives in OGH, you should give Sam Sloat a call. They had a bunch of really nice ones. I also saw a few really nice (and very, very original) Connecticut commemoratives, as well as a nice Bridgeport. They had a lot of Morgan dollars on display, as well as some Trade dollars, and Peace dollars. They also had a bunch of Barber coins, quarter dollars, nickels, and other items. Their gold section was pretty limited, although I hear that if you want the excessively rare stuff, you have to ask for “what’s in the back”.
After walking around for a while, I took a quick look at the center displays. They had a nice display of a pillar dollar, and some antiques from the era, like canon balls, an old key, a lock, and other items. They also had a bunch of currency for sale (RYK, please don’t get yourself into a frenzy
).All in all, it was a very positive experience, and I walked out of there proud to be a numismatist. Also, to prove that Longacre is truly a Man of the People™, I scarfed down a quarter pounder with cheese among the hoi polloi at the local McDonald’s, before venturing back to the office, and re-chaining myself to The Man’s™ desk.
Finally, here is the reason why I thought those girls were going into the coin shop
The sign is just outside the door of Sloat’s:Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
"Live long and prosper"
My "How I Started" columns
<< <i>Did they have business cards?
They did, but I did not take one. I wish I had thought about it.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Great Store Report,
a read that is sure to put a smile on the face of any forum member!
However sure seems quite rude of those CT dealers just to leave you alone to help yourself, we NY dealers would never be so rude
You snapped the wrong picture my friend.
Also, to prove that Longacre is truly a Man of the People™, I scarfed down a quarter pounder with cheese among the hoi polloi at the local McDonald’s...
Great read and great report Mr. L. These here folks down in South Ga. are mighty nice like that also. My local dealer will even let you reach over the counter, slide the case open, and pull out a tray of coins to look through......all while he's in the back. Southern Hospitality at it's finest.
Where is the pic of the college girls?
-wes
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>Did they have business cards?
The girls? What business?
<< <i>
<< <i>Did they have business cards?
The girls? What business? >>
I was going to write this exact thing, but I tried to keep it PG for Notlogical.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
I too only work around 5 minutes from there. (and who knows, the short-short girls might come back!)
Thanks for the report.
<< <i>They're great folks. Sounds like you were speaking with Bruce. The other fellow that is there often is Bob. >>
Which one is Sam?