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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,533 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
521 Posts |
Hello,
I'll be going to my first coin show this weekend. Any advice from the veterans out there?
Thanks in advance
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
The advice you will receive will depend on your collecting "style" or "needs".... If you are a collector looking to fill holes in albums regardless of grade, you will benefit one way. If you are looking to cherry pick ultra-high grade moderns, you will benefit another way. What do you hope to gain from this coin show?
Most will say... If this is your first coin show, don't bring the wallet at all. Look and learn.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
521 Posts |
I just started collecting again. I am particularly interested in large cents, 2 cent, and 3 cent pieces. No holes in albums because there are no albums yet. I want to go mainly to look at a lot of coins and compare. I've really only gotten back into collecting in the past month. Been to a few shops and browsed ebay. Will watch the wallet, though. Maybe more specific questions would be better: Is bargaing common? Do you generally find reputable dealers at shows? Are prices that different or do the dealers tend to align? Are any days better than others? This is a weekend show in California. I am not after big tickets items, just vg-fine stuff that may interest me. Thanks |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
If you have specific things in mind look up the going rates before you go or write it down and bring it with you.
In response to your questions:
Yes you can always try and bargain it never hurts to ask
Depends on the show why kind of dealers will be there, there may be a few shady ones at some shows but most dealers are reputable
Depends on the shows and the dealers, but its common for prices to vary table to table. One dealer may have better prices on one series while another has better prices on another series.
First day is the best to see the most inventory, but sometimes if you are there at the end of the last day you can get some deals from dealers hoping to make a few last minute sales.
Good luck
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1620 Posts |
Im hoping to be at the Florida one in January it will be my first I collect LMC and LWC for my daughters 8100 au/bu coins only and I wanna start my own but of mint sets and proof sets after the new year. |
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Welcome back to coin collecting. If you are thinking about getting in Large Cents, perhaps you will find these beginner topics over at the EAC forum (Early American Coppers) forums of interest: http://www.eacs.org/region8/forumdi...The-BeginnerYou should also browse their forums. You have to be an EAC member to see some images and post there, but as a guest you should be able to read quite a bit. If you do get more serious about early coppers, you should look into joining. You will learn a lot. Large cents are fun to collect and the history attached to them is special. I suggest you read as much as possible before the show, learn how Large cents are divided (early, middle,late dates), try to find some online sources or books on how to grade, learn about varieties and how to attribute them, check http://numismedia.com/fmv/fmv.shtml to see what Large cent prices may cost you (these are by year/key types and don't include all the varieties) by grade and then hit the show to see what is out there. When I decided to collect Large cents, I did the above and decided to focus on the late dates (1840-1857). I then decided to buy in the VF20-XF40 grade bracket(this fit my budget, at least 1 purchase a month as I collect a few other things too) and then I decided to go for the varieties for each year too which means collecting multiple Large cents for the same year. In order to do this, I had to invest in books in order to identify them and the cost is not low. I do my research on pricing before I buy. I have however bought a few middle-dates when I see something of good quality and price. Good quality Large cents are usually hard to find, so if I see one within my budget I grab it. You should also learn about slabbed and raw coins if you don't know the difference. At the grades you mentioned you might wish to purchase, you will be looking mostly at raw coins so you need to learn grading (well, you need to learn grading, but with slabbed coins from a good TPG you have some security as a new collector). It's fun to learn but takes practice. Check out the grading part in this section (Classic US coins)where people post pics and ask for help grading. You will learn a lot from some very good people. From time to time you will see some Large cents. If you feel comfortable enough, you can take the plunge and buy your first Large cent at the show. You should be able to pick up a raw late date (1840-57) BN (brown- see Numismedia prices) common date for between 20-30 dollars. Maybe you could try learning about grading between G to F before the show, that way you will know the basic things to look for on the coin so you are confident when you are buying a F, it's really an F and not an over-priced VG. Good luck. Edited by sjh241
12/04/2012 11:02 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
 What coin show are you going to go to? Dealers do not mind new, or like yourself, collectors coming back to collecting, asking questions but it is not polite to ask too many questions when the dealer is busy with other customers. Wait quietly to one side and if the dealer looks like it will be awhile leave and come back when he has some time to spend with you. Don't block the view of his cases if you aren't actually looking at coins to buy so the passers by can see his coins also. Most dealers will drop the price of a coin you are going to buy if they have any room to do so. If they don't then they will tell you. If you are interested in more than one coin then sometimes they will try give you a good deal on one or more of the others. Always be polite when interacting with the dealers, you don't know if the guy who just left his table was a real jerk and when you approach his table say hi and be friendly. That goes a long way with these guys. I like to take one or two of the coin holders I am filling to show the dealers what I collect. They like to see their customer's coins and I have had some I had met at one coin show see me at a later coin show and say they have something I might like knowing what types of coins I am looking for. I always stop and see what they have and though I don't always buy that coin many times I'll find something else they have I need for my collection and buy it. Becoming a regular customer helps bring down the price also. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
521 Posts |
sjh241: thanks for the info and links; I'll check them out.
Gyrene7483: Socal Coin and Currency Show in Ontario (CA)
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Valued Member
United States
366 Posts |
Being friendly and polite goes a long way. Wait until dealer finishes with other customers to ask to see coins. Let dealer know what you are interested in seeing and that you are willing to pay a fair price if you find the right coin... asking for dealer's best price or making an offer on a coin is perfectly acceptable... if you can't come to terms on the right price, politely decline. Take the dealers card, and keep brief notes... what does dealer specialize in? Was he/she professional,straight forward, or a jerk, etc. Think of building lasting relationships with honest dealers... doing so may get you first crack at nice coins in the future. Have fun!
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Valued Member
United States
331 Posts |
The Ontario show is a really good show. It's not as large as Long Beach but it's big enough to keep you busy for the day. I always try to go on the first day as any new dealer stock will still be around. However, this show opens at noon on Thursday so I will probably wait till Friday so I don't have to stay so late, otherwise my wife ends up having to feed the goats and horses. :) The show has a lot of reputable dealers and also provides a couple of free tables for the local coin clubs reps to distribute literature. When it comes to dealers they are just like cats and come in all kinds of stripes! Just treat them like you would like to be treated? Make sure you bring a loupe and any lists or reference material you need. Also this show usually has a coin supplies dealer that has all the albums , holders, and books you may be looking for. There are also usually a number of currency dealers there. Have fun and don't spend it all in one place!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
~ I would not buy the first coin that I need! ~ Take your time. I would make my rounds to each dealer table to see what they have and what they are asking for. ~ I always ask for their "best price". Most will be receptive to this; others will give you a scowl and not haggle whatsoever. ~ Take a smart phone, tablet or other internet ready device...if you have one. Be a savvy, knowledgeable person! It's like going to a meeting with nothing (notepad at least) in hand, others will not take you seriously. When I went to my last coin show (May 2012) I did not have such advice and I paid dearly (literally) for a coin that I needed, and paid too much. If you can comparison shop for your potential buys you SHOULD come out ahead! If you don't have a tablet or smart phone, write down what you need/want and the prices that you would pay on paper, kinda like going to the grocery store, know what you want/need and stick to it (for the most part). ~ Bring a magnifying glass. I personally use a 10x B&L loupe. ~ Bring cash. I found out that dealers are more willing to haggle if you have cash in hand. They are usually set-up for credit/debit but they are charged fees for using these services and pass the cost to you. ~ Ask questions! ~ And most of all HAVE FUN and let's see the pictures of your purchases! Here is a website with some good info as well! http://www.google.com/search?q=what...+a+coin+showhttp://www.coin-newbies.com/FAQ/faqshows.htmlEdited by oih82w8
12/05/2012 11:13 am
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Moderator
 United States
188440 Posts |
Quote:
~ Bring a magnifying glass. I personally use a 10x B&L loupe. If you do not have one, you can probably buy one there. If this is the case, it should be the first thing you do. |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
I would say, If you know a perticular coin and its grade/value and you know its def a good deal/steal, you should buy it asap before someone else does. Would that be a bad suggestion?
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:
I would say, If you know a perticular coin and its grade/value and you know its def a good deal/steal, you should buy it asap before someone else does. Would that be a bad suggestion?  If its a good deal and popular at all it most likely wont last very long unless it goes unnoticed. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
Quote:
oih82w8
~ Take your time. LOL, a bit of an oxymoron? Have to agree. There are more coins I've regretted buying that those I've regretted not buying. |
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
Really cool advice - thank you!
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,533 |
Posted 12/04/2012 02:08 am
