At Baltimore, would I gain anything by doing an "Off-Brand Hour", or would it be a waste o
Longacre
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I will be at the Baltimore show on Friday, and I have been plotting my strategy for some time now. Because of the limited time that I have (which will include, of course, several passes by the Stack's table to see if I can crane my neck over the crowds and catch a glimpse of QDB; similarly, for board member Dentuck), I need to plan my day wisely.
For kicks, I was thinking of designating one hour as the "Off-Brand Hour", where I would not look at PCGS or NGC coins, and rather seek out all of the second tier holders, like ANACS, ICG, DGS, SEGS, and those brands of similar ilk. I figure spending an hour of my time looking at these coins might be beneficial, because perhaps an undervalued coin or two could be found (and in today's numismatic recession, every dollar saved is welcome).
Should I bother doing this, or should I just stick with the National Brands?
Should I also budget some time and take a quick pass through the "value collector" section of the bourse, or would my velvet smoking jacket give me away as not a mere lookie-lou?
For kicks, I was thinking of designating one hour as the "Off-Brand Hour", where I would not look at PCGS or NGC coins, and rather seek out all of the second tier holders, like ANACS, ICG, DGS, SEGS, and those brands of similar ilk. I figure spending an hour of my time looking at these coins might be beneficial, because perhaps an undervalued coin or two could be found (and in today's numismatic recession, every dollar saved is welcome).
Should I bother doing this, or should I just stick with the National Brands?
Should I also budget some time and take a quick pass through the "value collector" section of the bourse, or would my velvet smoking jacket give me away as not a mere lookie-lou?
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
However, you should look at the "value collector" section of any dealer you visit...especially those dealers with whom you already have a good relationship. The odds of ripping or cherry picking them are lower, but you can still get very good deals.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Time might be better spent looking at raw coins, or tokens, or something else.
Won't you have an image problem if you're seen wandering the budget aisle looking at third tier plastic?
<< <i>Won't you have an image problem if you're seen wandering the budget aisle looking at third tier plastic? >>
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Never hurts,you might find something thats a bargain.I have found some killer coins in PCI and ICG holders.
You're more likely to find something that will kill your collecting budget. Most bottom-feeding dealers can grade better than you think.
<< <i>Who cares what holder its in if you like the coin? >>
The guy you try to sell it to some day.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Knowing or learning the dealer/table will save you a lot of time. Which is why it matters at whose table you rest your caboose.
Is the dealer known for wholesaling - do they do lots of mail order? Compare slab counts and prices. Are PCGS slabbed coins vs. NGC slabbed coins of the same type/year/mint selling for significantly more than they should be? Using common date 64/65 Morgans are the easiest and quickest way to discern this practice. Do they have a lot of raw coins for sale as well - hopefully boxed in 2x2s and not on display?
All of these things will play into your favor. The point is not to waste time at a table at which you get the impression that the guy on the other side spends a lot of time grading for crossover or upgrade of his own second tier slabs. Dealers are in this business to make money and they are making it one of two ways. They either spend a lot of time searching out and marketing the best coins they can find, or they do a LOT of business and spend most of their time managing and marketing a large inventory. Obviously you want the guy who is managing and marketing a lot of inventory.
<< <i>For kicks, I was thinking of designating one hour as the "Off-Brand Hour", where I would not look at PCGS or NGC coins, and rather seek out all of the second tier holders, like ANACS, ICG, DGS, SEGS, and those brands of similar ilk. >>
Why not just look for the numismatic items you want, regardless of what holder/tomb they are in? Or does such simplicity violate the international tax lawyer's code of conduct somehow?
The green label PCI holders with the 10 digit serial numbers can have some nice coins for the grade inside them.