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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,971 |
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Valued Member
United States
57 Posts |
I dont know about the rest of you, but I don't live near any high-end coin shops. I am always on the lookout for really nice AU+ buffs and type coins, but these it seems are getting harder and harder to find. I try and visit a coin shop on every road trip I go on, but have had trouble... I think that a lot of the joy is in the hunt, and I hate to just find a website and order off of them... It seems too easy I guess...
Does anybody else have this problem?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
I never really had that problem until my coin dealer died last year, so now I do. I'm pretty much resigned to ebay and big coin shows when they come up in the Seattle area. Unfortunately, he was the last good coin dealer in my area. RIP Mike O'Hara. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have been a regular subscriber to two postal auctions based in Sydney and Adelaide, for more than two dacades. The operators of these auctions are part of the biggest coin dealing group in Australia, and have excellent connections with the main coin dealing firms across the Planet.
Nevertheless, most of their consignments originate in Australia.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3486 Posts |
"...I think that a lot of the joy is in the hunt, and I hate to just find a website and order off of them... It seems too easy I guess..." Yes, the joy is in the hunt, but there is nothing "easy" in just going to a website and placing an order. After sifting through dozens of offerings I often find that none of them suit me. On those rare occasions when I found an example that caught my fancy, I faced stiff competition in the bidding. The Barber dimes which I seek are in every way as difficult to find as AU Buffaloes from San Francisco in the mid 1920s. And since I want eye appeal and an exceptional strike, well, my ebay purchases since 2001 have totaled only 30. Not all of these were coins! Coins shops are an endangered species. Some people go into the business with backers who front the money and expect a quick payoff. Sad. Coin shows, especially the small ones, are dying as well. Yet, miracles happen. Just last Sunday, with only $200 USD and a few items to trade, I came home with five beautiful dimes. Four were upgrades and the fifth was an example of die chips which I shall document and publish in our Journal. It was just my luck to have been there that day, for a collector had just sold a high grade, though incomplete set. The dealer gave me first crack at picking out the dimes that I wanted and could afford. No, BuffaloNuts, there is nothing easy about finding the coins that I seek. Good Hunting! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I am an opportunist. I never keep my eye out for specific coins. That, for me, would be an exercise in futility. I just acquired the coins I have, in almost every instance, when the opportunity has presented itself. Almost all of my most difficult to find coins have been come across when I was NOT looking for them!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Speaking of postal/online auctions. You could check out the American Coin and Stamp Brokerage (ACSB). They hold auction every month, you submit your bids. I've got good deals on some high end coins in the past.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
3831 Posts |
Like it or not, I had reasonable luck on ebay. That's how I got most of the harder to find coins. My partial coin collection http://www.omnicoin.com/collection/gxseriesMy numismatics articles and collection: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/numis_index.htmRegularly updated at least once a month. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
We have a least 3 coin shows in the Mpls./St.Paul area per month and you can buy just about anything you desire.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
Quote:
I am an opportunist. I never keep my eye out for specific coins. That, for me, would be an exercise in futility. I just acquired the coins I have, in almost every instance, when the opportunity has presented itself. Almost all of my most difficult to find coins have been come across when I was NOT looking for them! This is my experience too. I find it better not to obsess over obtaining a specific coin right now. Picture the collection you will have many years from now. Make a list or mental note of the scarce coins you will have in that collection. Now it doesn't really matter the order you obtain those coins in, and since they are rare you can't control when you will come across any specific one anyway. So be patient and let them present themselves as they will. Scan through all the online venues daily and attend every coin show you can find. Wait and watch. The rare fish will swim right up to you - just be ready with your net. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
We too have numerous coin shows in my area. Going to them often allows me to get to know many dealers and some travel to other shows in other areas. This allows me to actually sort of place orders. I just tell a few of those I know that I'm looking for a certain coin, and presto, within a few shows, there it is. And as usual, so very, very much cheaper than coin stores and especially ebay. Example is I just mentioned to one dealer I'm looking for a realy high grade coin. I mentioned the coin and was promissed I'd have it within a few weeks or a bit longer. With so many coin shows by me, there is practically no coin I could not find, order, or just see there. I also get all my Albums free from those same dealers. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,971 |
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Posted 04/18/2012 03:47 am
