Are Coin Shows a good place to sell your coins?

Obiwancanoli · March 17, 2011 11:58AM

Of the many many coins I've come across and acquired, some, I think, are worth someone else's care, but others - like bulk silver - just take up space. I'm sure someone could use what I've got, but is taking the lot of it to a coin show considered appropriate, or not?

These people have no time to peruse much, and of course, they're there to SELL. Still, this must be a venue they pick up inventory, and if I have something to sell, why shouldn't I take the opportunity? Couldn't we both benefit?

llafoe · March 17, 2011 12:00PM

The dealers at my local coins shows would LOVE to buy your junk silver coins!

RYK · March 17, 2011 12:06PM

Junk silver may be sold by an individual at any coin show, coin shop, and many other venues.

bidask · March 17, 2011 12:08PM

yes you get alot of different bids

fcloud · March 17, 2011 12:09PM

<< <i>yes you get alot of different bids >>

my thoughs exactly.

19Lyds · March 17, 2011 12:21PM

From what I've seen, plenty of dealers will take the time to look at and purchase what you have to sell.

However, if the organizers catch you offering your coins to the Isle Walkers, you could get booted from the show.

Coins911 · March 17, 2011 3:26PM

if your willing to take below graysheet bid its a great place to sell coins

GrumpyEd · March 17, 2011 3:31PM

<< <i>they're there to SELL >>

I think most dealers are there to buy as much as they are to sell.

gyocomgd · March 17, 2011 3:50PM

If you've ever watched "Pawn Stars," that's about what to expect.

kranky · March 17, 2011 9:20PM

You can be successful selling at shows but you need to know what you want for your coins. It's not effective to take a box of coins to one dealer after the other and expect to get an offer from each dealer on each coin - it just takes too long. Try to offer coins to dealers who are selling the same type of item - in other words, don't try to sell Morgans to a guy who only has copper for sale.

Bulk silver is easy - it only takes a second to ask someone what they are paying for 90%.

ricko · March 17, 2011 9:56PM

Best way to sell coins at a coin show is to set up a table.... then both dealers and attendees will peruse your inventory. Cheers, RickO

Obiwancanoli · March 17, 2011 11:16PM

<< <i>Best way to sell coins at a coin show is to set up a table.... then both dealers and attendees will peruse your inventory. Cheers, RickO >>

That works fine, if you're a regular dealer. For someone like myself - a mere collector trying to clear out some "inventory" I don't want or need - setting up a table at a show would hardly be cost effective for the relatively small amount I have to sell.

JJM · March 17, 2011 11:41PM

List them on BST

Walkerguy21D · March 17, 2011 11:52PM

Like others have said, if you are selling bulk silver, know the going rate, and find out who is paying closest to it. May be as simple as asking 'what are you paying times face?', rather than have a number of different dealers go through the whole deal and quote a total.

For selling individual coins, shows CAN be a good place, but you need to be careful. Small shows with mom/pop dealers tend to be the 'well back of bid' buyers, but not always. The bigger shows, with the bigger dealers and specialists, are the best, and yes these guys will pay fair prices. Dick Osburn pays well for better seated material, J Cline pays well for better standing quarters, Liz at JJTeaparty pays well for just about any nice better collector coin, as does Northeast Numismatics and Ed Hipps. Shop copper coins at the copper dealers' tables. Good luck!

IrishMikey · March 18, 2011 12:10AM

Walker Guy said it best.

I would add that if you have a large amount of "junk" to sell --
wheat cents, 90% silver, modern Proof sets, etc. you should look for someone local at
the coin show. A local dealer will not have to ship bulk deals, just load them into a car
or van, so they will usually pay you more. Or you can take stuff like that right to their
shop, and save everyone a little time and aggravation.

TPRC · March 18, 2011 12:11AM

I have never had much success selling coins at coin shows to those that I don't have a working relationship with. I find offers to be too low. I might conclude that my expectations are unreasonable, but I have taken those very same coins and done much better selling through consignment, or to particular dealers that I know. But just going to a show and walking the aisles with merchandise has never worked for me.

johnny9434 · March 18, 2011 1:57AM

why not. you dont have to sell if you dont want to either

16DMERC · March 18, 2011 2:11AM

find out if you want to liquidate for cash, or use it to get into better coins first. Then go through the show and ask around what the dealers are paying for 90%etc. Most dealers that are at shows are actually there to buy as much as sell, so get your best offer, and then you can bring it in or set up an appointment for later in the week. I usually set up an appointment, simply so i can spend my time going through the stuff, and to give the customer my undivided attention. Most dealers actually like to work this way a little better, because there is so much going on at a show if it is busy.

dbcoin · March 18, 2011 2:15AM

I've had great success at shows. Ask what their multiple is for junk silver. I walk the aisle and have gotten offers at 17x-24x 2 weeks ago.

I tend to think you may get better offers at shows as their is more competition. The guy who was offering 17x obviously wasn't getting anyone to sell him junk silver. If you go to a local dealer and he offers 22x, do you take it or walk out? If you walk out, now you have to drive to the next dealer who may not be close and who's offer may be worse. If you are at a show, you walk 3 feet and you are at the next table.

PerryHall · March 18, 2011 3:17AM

<< <i>I've had great success at shows. Ask what their multiple is for junk silver. I walk the aisle and have gotten offers at 17x-24x 2 weeks ago.

I tend to think you may get better offers at shows as their is more competition. The guy who was offering 17x obviously wasn't getting anyone to sell him junk silver. If you go to a local dealer and he offers 22x, do you take it or walk out? If you walk out, now you have to drive to the next dealer who may not be close and who's offer may be worse. If you are at a show, you walk 3 feet and you are at the next table. >>

That's my take on it. At a show there is competition while in a coin shop there is no competition.

Are Coin Shows a good place to sell your coins?

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