Shopping For Coins In The Middle East

I am posting this just to provide some info if any one travels to the middle east a decides to look for coins. When I first went to Jordan ( 10 years ago) I did the obvious thing and went to the gold and silver markets. I quickly realized this was a huge mistake as that's where all the tourists go. Yes they had some interesting coins but these were buried in piles of fakes and holed and cut coins. Also when I started haggling I realized the expectation was that as a non local I would be expected to pay more for the coin.

I then discovered particularly for gold coins there was a much more rewarding hunting ground.

When the locals decide to sell their gold they don't go to the gold and silver markets but rather to their local manufacturing jeweler. these Local jewelers ( not the ones in shopping malls) buy and sell Gold ( and less frequently silver coins) at the daily spot price(London). They are honest (they wouldn't remain in Business if they weren't). I have picked up rare Greek, Australian, and British gold coins at spot. The only thing you have to do is make sure to check the weight and ask if the coin is genuine( but check sometimes these guys make honest mistakes. The jewellers are required by law to indentify locally made 21 Kt replicas