| Author |
 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,630 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
OK...it's been a long time since I was an active coin collector. I started in my youth (1960's) and coin collecting at that time was looking through my change, and my mom's and dad's change hoping to find a coin to go into my collection. Later I did some metal-detecting, and added some coins to the collection, but in a very random fashion. I've never bought many coins...a 1912S Liberty nickel back in the late 70's or early 80's...and some other common Liberty nickels. I still lack the 1885 and 1886 key dates and a couple of others. I've been reading all the great posts in this forum and want to get started again, but find myself stymied by the following: 1. There's one decent coin shop in town, but their prices are rather steep and I'm not convinced of their grading. Besides, they don't have any of the four dates I need to finish that collection. 2. I look on ebay, and wonder if I know enough to be bidding on coins. I feel like a lamb among wolves. 3. I guess I didn't say it earlier, but my short-term goal is to finish the Liberty nickel set (at fine or better); longer term, I want to put together examples of all the major half dollar designs. (I don't think I'll ever afford examples of all the variations...) 4. Bismarck is a nice community, but coin shows are rare, and its a long ways to anywhere from here. Where do I go? Guess maybe I'm just "nervous" about getting taken in by some scoundrel, esp. on a F or better 1885 V nickel. Thanks for any advice... Hunter |
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
3730 Posts |
Welcome to the forum!! I understand what you mean about few coin shows. Western Colorado has perhaps one or two a year, and often times they aren't well publicised. I get most of my coins from a great coin store in Grand Junction (40 miles away); mail order through ads I see in Coin World; and by trading with Coin Community Family members. Also, the founders of this forum, Susan and Bobby, often times have very nice coins for sale, or on ebay, at reasonable prices. Again, welcome to the forum. This is the best coin forum on the internet!! |
|
Valued Member
United States
342 Posts |
You've made a good first step. Forums like this one are a great place to lose your lambs wool just by hanging out,asking questions, reading posts and learning. Deals can be found on ebay but you can also check out mail order dealers. Theres plenty online. Pick up a copy of Numismatic News and check out the ads. Take your time, you'll enjoy it more and save some $. welcome to CC :) |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
Hunter; You have waited this long, so guess there is no hurry, now is there! Don't get in a rush, because that is when mistakes are made. First you should take the time to learn exactly what a 1805 "V" nickel in fine shape looks like and be prepared to examine each and every one you come across with this information. Second, develope a relationship with those people who can help you with obtaining such a coin, and that you feel safe with when buying from them. IF all of this fails, go with a slabbed coin from one of the top three grading companies and be content to pay their price. It all starts with education. So take your time and do it right.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
651 Posts |
Hunter, OldDan is absolutely correct, take your time and get familiar with the hobby again as mistakes are always painful to live with but knowledge helps mitigate this. Since you are after Liberty nickels then I recommend buying the book "A Guide Book of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels" by Q.David Bowers (ISBN: 079481921-4). I would also pick up a copy of photo grade, a RedBook or Krause price guide. To get familiar with current mail order companies and market prices then pick-up a periodical like coinage, coins, Coin World, or Numismatic News. You can usually get all of these at your local bookstore or on-line at Amazon. And of course you have the forums & its resources here at your disposal to answer any questions. Regards, Ken |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
 Stick with coins graded by PCGS, NGC, or ANACS for the key date coins. Those are so widely conterfeited it's nice to have the security of a grading company on your side until you get more comfortable. |
|
New Member
United States
5 Posts |
How in the world do people counterfeit Shield nickels, and have them look authentic enough to sell? |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
882 Posts |
Welcome, Hunter! When you say Bismarck I'm assuming Bismarck North Dakota? I'm going to school in Minot North Dakota. About a month or two ago they had a gun show in Mandan. I picked up some coins and paper money from dealers there. They had about 3 tables of coins at the gun show. Plus, you will want to go to your local flea markets. I know 3 dealers who come to the flea markets here in Minot and I'm sure some of them also go to them down there. That Gold And Silver Exchange coin shop in the mall there is very expensive. I wouldn't buy many coins from them. You can just get them so much cheeper some place else. Also, I haven't been to Mandan in a while, but I believe there is a coin shop there. Furthermore, Bismark has a coin show every year. I haven't gone in a long time, but it was around the time in April. It also was in the Mandan area. If you look in the Coin World magazine, I believe there is a coin show in Fargo, ND later this month. But enjoy your coin collecting and good luck with finishing your set. Good things, Ty |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1173 Posts |
Tykimeister...thanks for the info. Yes...it is Bismarck, ND, so you're just 115 miles north of me. I didn't know about the coin show; will have to keep that in mind. The one in Fargo...do you know where it is held? I agree that the Antique and Coin Exchange in the mall has their merchandise priced pretty much on the high end of things.
Good luck...maybe we'll bump into each other one of these days at a coin show or shop.
Hunter
|
|
Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
Hunter:
I just sent you an email.
If you travel Chicago, I have an excellent coin contact, that I have done business with for years. Email me back, if you want contact information.
Ron (ronaldb112)
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
Thanks, Ron. I'll be in Chicago next month, oddly enough. It's the only city I get to each year on business. Otherwise, I'm pretty much a small town boy!
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Here is my suggestions. 1.Move to Chicago, Illinois. we have at least 3 coin shows a month within 14 miles of my house. There are more coin stores than you could imagine. 2. Join as many coin forums as possible. This one is pretty good. You could meet people that will sell you the coins you need without doing more than going to a post office. 3. Move to Chicago, Illinois. We also have gun shows, train shows, camera shows, knife shows and lots of robberies. 4. Stay away from ebay. 5. Chicago is the only place where you can finish your Liberty Head Nickel collection including as many 1913's as you want. I think they are still made here somewhere. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
Hunter, welcome to the forum! You have already gotten very good advice from the previous posters, so you can tell this is the friendliest coin forum online with plenty of people willing to share their expertise and experience. I'm in an isolated situation - living in the middle of nowhere in the Arizona desert, far far away from any coin shops and shows, so I do all my shopping on ebay. However, ebay is not for the faint of heart. The key is education on whatever you might be inclined to purchase. If you're uncertain about buying a coin sight unseen and only from an image, buy only slabbed (graded and encapsulated) coins by the top four grading services: ANACS, PCGS, NGC, and ICG only. Be careful: there's a LOT (over 150) scam boiler room slabbers out there, most with initials similar to the tops four. Also, you might want to review some of the topics in the forum's ebay section under Online Auctions before venturing into ebay if you haven't done it before. Learn the market before buying into it. I'm not sure moving to Chicago would solve your coin search problems, but it'd be a lot warmer than Bismarck, ND.  May the Force be with you. Fred |
| |
Replies: 12 / Views: 1,630 |
|
Posted 03/13/2007 4:37 pm
