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 Replies: 13 / Views: 6,784 |
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Valued Member
Australia
208 Posts |
I went to a dozen or so garage sales today. Only 2 had coins. One had some 90% at 20x face and up  It seemed strange to me that he wanted more than most LCS's at a garage sale. As I left he asked what I would pay and I said 14x. He said no. He seemed knowledgeable, but just wanted too much. Another had an interesting item - an old vest made with 10 90% silver Walking Liberty halves as buttons. He wanted $50 for it. I would have bought it if the coins were not bent and shaped. Identifiable and whole coins, but so misshapen that I thought selling them would be hard. So I passed. Anyway, it seems like the % of garage sales with coins is small, but it can be fun to look and I believe the possibility of a below melt deal is real. I plan to try again soon (not next weekend, there is a coin show) What are your experiences?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7618 Posts |
Those bent and hammered WLH on the vest were probably counterfeit. Be glad you didn't buy them.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
Garage sales? No luck so far, but sometimes I find scrap .925 and gold jewelery, and sometimes it's even real.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
I did well at one last month, everything bought at or below current melt: https://goccf.com/t/177173Sometimes in my local area I also come across silver Native American style jewelry on the cheap. But I agree that it's a small percentage of such sales that you'll be fortunate enough to find anything in coinage or precious metals. Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
06/21/2014 8:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
Never have found coins (or much of anything of value) at garage sales. Did get some no-date Buffalo nickels from a church rummage sale for face though. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
I haven't really gotten out to many this year so far, but I usually have great luck at tag sales... Coins are becoming few and further apart in the recent years though.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2543 Posts |
People are watching too much Discovery Channel and Coin Vault and news stories about 1933 Double Eagles, 1913 V nickels and Saddle Ridge. Everybody thinks that every coin that Grampa hoarded away , minted before 1960, is a valuable "find" that is going to fund their vacation home. Then when you try to explain to them that it's a common coin ,valued only as an addition for a collector, they look at you like you are " Joe Slick ", trying to get rich off of their ignorance. |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I always look for coins at garage sales, but never with any expectation of 'striking it rich'.
I just look around for anything at all which may interest me.
The bargains I find are never the ones I am looking for.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4333 Posts |
That's the trend, no one is going to give away their VALUABLE coins.
When I buy, I offer between 80-90% of spot. I don't get many bites.
I've had people go to the LCS to sell, way under market, after I've offered to beat the LCS price. They sold to them because, "I'm not a licensed dealer".
When I listen to LED ZEPPELIN...so do my neighbors...
Roll hunting since '77
Dirt fishing since '72
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1584 Posts |
Quote:
they look at you like you are " Joe Slick ", trying to get rich off of their ignorance.  I get that a lot. I go to a lot of garage/estate sales. Lot's of folks are sure the F-12 1942 WLH their grand pappy saved in his handkerchief drawer is near priceless. Sales like this are hit or miss, usually miss. Every once in a while I find coins worth buying at a fair price. Patience, tenacity, and a good sense of humor go a long way. |
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Valued Member
United States
183 Posts |
denco- couldnt have said it any better myself...
OP- Where do you find all these garage sales? I'm lucky if I drive by 1 sign a month for a garage sale!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
Quote:
OP- Where do you find all these garage sales? I'm lucky if I drive by 1 sign a month for a garage sale! Not the OP but the go to place for me is the garage sale section on craigslist. On Saturday there was 250+ listed for my city. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2517 Posts |
When I went to holiday a few of years ago in Australia I came across someone having a yard sale. Me and one of my two younger sisters went and looked at a bowl of coins. I don't remember what they were, or what they were priced, but they were copper (from the 60s if I'm not mistaken) and had a kangaroo on them. I bought one for me and my sister bought one too. My little brother was tagging along (he was at just starting primary school age at that time) and the man running the yard sale gave another one for free, he said "give this to your brother". My sister kept the coins, I don't know if she still has them now.
I haven't seen a garage sale around me, I must either not go out enough or not pay attention enough.
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Valued Member
United States
78 Posts |
Most of the garage sales around never have coins or collectables. Many just sell junk, like old clothing or outdated electronics. I guess I live in the 'new' part of town. And any collectables I see are always overpriced, such as $2 wheat cents. I envy all you pickers!
Ken
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Replies: 13 / Views: 6,784 |
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Posted 06/21/2014 7:05 pm
