| Author |
 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,599 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
In the past (and possibly still now), purchasing foreign coinage here in the states could be purchased at fairly reasonable prices. So, I was wondering, if travelling in Europe, could a U.S. coin collector could find bargains pretty easily. Also, how easy is it to find coin stores in Europe?
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
469 Posts |
I've always wondered the same thing. I have recently been looking for old Large Cents from overseas shops and I have found that, if anything, the coins are a little more expensive. However, that is only my experience online. Physically going to Europe and searching shops and dealers may yield more favorable results.
|
|
Valued Member
Slovenia
459 Posts |
I'm quite new in all this, but at least in my part of Europe US coins are not very popular with collectors. One can still find nice items, but than again - I'm quite new to this and 'nice' is a broad term :) |
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
We have a couple members - one from Italy and another from Poland - who demonstrate an eye for US coins as good as any American collector, and find coins as nice in Europe as any on this side of the pond. I must therefore conclude that they're available over there.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
3234 Posts |
I've occasionally seen people note purchases from overseas, but I'm curious to know if those are bargains compared to what we'd buy here or about the same.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
5396 Posts |
USA and Canadian are readily available in a lot of Europe. Some neat coins if you know where to look and what kind of a trap line you cultivate. I have been buying coins in Europe for 35 years or so. Best hit of all time a classic US gold 2 1/2 Purchased from a major UK auction house. Paid the equivalent of 800 U.S. And sold at a Baltimore ANA to a prominent U.S. Gold dealer for $8500.00. it doesn't happen often but it sure has paid off for me over the years. I still go two to three times a year. |
|
Valued Member
United States
331 Posts |
Last year I looked at every stop we made. I found american coins in London and South Africa as well as Zimbabwe. All that I Encountered were well over priced. And a few fake Morgans in Victoria Falls.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Sweden
1078 Posts |
As far as I can tell, trying to buy classic US coins in shops will cost around catalog value, maybe a little bit more, as the demand is bigger than supply. Making bargains is rare, the coins are widely recognized by dealers and they will put their price tag on it. But if you are patient and looking widely, surely there are bargains to be made. I have myself bought WLHs and IHCs for minimal value, but that's about it. In terms of finding shops, I'm pretty convinced they are fewer in number than US/Canada, but they are scattered around the place.A google search in the local language usually reveals the larger ones. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Sweden
729 Posts |
If you purchase in Europe, be prepared to buy raw. Even though TPGs are expanding over here, most coins are sold raw. And I guess if bargains are to made, it will be in the GEM grades.
Small or odd denominations are also, from what I have seen and purchased, sold at a discount.
Extensive research and knowledge are important factors. My latest bargain was the MS63 1872 Cali fractional posted a few weeks ago. Purchased for roughly $600, but I have also made great deals on a 1916-D Merc and a lucky shot at a 1916 SLQ.
All purchsed raw.
I have noticed though, that more and more US buyers show up at auctions. So you guy's are getting more and more aware of the European market.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
397 Posts |
Since I am sure the US coin market is among the strongest in the world, I'd think most savvy dealers in Europe or Worldwide realize the high demand for American coinage, especially if they sell on the internet.
|
|
Moderator
Australia
16842 Posts |
It may be true that many American dealers an collectors are largely ignorant of non-American coins, but the opposite is certainly not true. Thanks to the huge dominance of America in numismatics generally, pretty much every coin dealer outside of America knows that "American coins are more expensive than they should be"... and any American coins they offer for sale are priced accordingly. Even if there's virtually no local demand for them, they know that sooner or later, an American tourist or expat will come along and pay the high asking price.
Many of the "bargains" come about from getting good deals via the exchange rates, and from non-American dealers using out-of-date price guides. Don't forget that for most of us, America is "just another foreign country" so we do for American coins the same as what we do for any other foreign country: look up the price in the Krause world coin catalogue. Krause prices are six months out of date, even when the catalogues are brand new.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 1,599 |
|
Posted 06/01/2015 11:30 am
