How Many Have Purchased Coins From Pawn Shops?

As with many topics the answer is pending on location, location, location. If your around the Chicago area there are virtually hundreds or even possibly thousands of garage/yard/estate sales. Always remember estate sales, not estate auctions. The primary thing with all these are you must ask about coins. I've never seen coins of any kind out on display. Way to much theft in this area. However if you ask you may be surprized at how many have an old jar, can, box, etc of old coins laying around but are afraid to put them out at such sales. You have to ask. One of my biggest finds ever was at such a yard sale. I asked and a lady said be right back. Came out with a jar full of pennies(cents). Said I could have them but would have to sit there and count them. I just offered $50 and it was a deal. At home it turned out to be close to $35 in face value. Why I offered that much? The bottom was full of Indian Head cents. Estimated coin value was in the thousands.
I have tried many pawn shops in the area but unless you know someone the people just give you a funny look and say we don't accept coins. Yeah, right. I go to about 3 coin shows a Month, coin shops when I have time, flea markets every weekend but you can't beat garage/yard/estate sales. But you have to ask.

I saw a home made sign today saying estate sale on my way to work and was like dam. I've yet to try an estate sale or a yard sale for that matter. Mostly due to time as I have 2 kids and a wife that is on a rotating shift. I just thought about calling around to local pawn shops to see if they had any coins. Didn't think about the antique stores. Not sure we really have any in my area of GA.

I'll have to give it a shot if have any money left from paying my car tags.

I have 2 Pawn Shops that I have been dealing with for 6-7 years. They know what I will take without much dickering and approx what I'll pay. Lots and lots of Silver and Silver Dollars. Have picked up many, many great coins from them at reasonable prices. Also have real good luck at Flea Markets. Only once did I EVER purchase coins at a Yard Sale.

Now and then I find something in a pawn shop. One of the first coin shops I went to was in a pawn shop, so at one time I got some nice fairly graded coins. But recently it has been a matter of sorting through damaged/polished/overpriced stuff. The last coin I got in a pawn shop was a common O Morgan in XF/AU, sorting through their silver box. Nothing special, but not marked up much above melt.

Well just pulled out the old phone book. We have 25+ pawn shops listed for my area. One even advertises that they buy scrap gold & coins. So guess I'll get some cash and just go play hit & miss. Will let you know how I do.

I used to have a pawn shop that I dealt with regularly in my old hometown ,, they would call me if any coins were coming up on the shelves ,, I was able to buy or trade for them .

Here where Iam now the pawn shops are a long shot for coins !!

Metalman

At one of the flea markets I frequent one of the regular sellers vanished. I asked today what happened to him and found out he was arrested. It appears he was a partner in a pawn shop and the stuff they were selling at the flea market was basically from there. As soon as he gets out I think I'll ask him for any coins.