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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5588 Posts |
In a thread about getting a $500 or $15 or so, Doubleeagle brought up an experience with Bob Armstrong, a long-time outstanding dealer and grader at almost all of the Toronto area shows. Just bringing up his name in that thread of posting brought back some great memories of he, his wife and the table full of goods that he brought to every show. I'm making this post only for the sweet memory of a guy who put numismatics and friendship ahead of everything else. You still see 2 X 2's in the raw coin sections of T.O. area coin shows with his distinctive penmanship that could be duplicated by no one else. You could tell a Bob Armstrong coin at arm's length just by looking at the lettering. Edited by okiecoiner
02/18/2016 08:45 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2495 Posts |
Hopefully, lots of responses to this thread.
I know I'm repeating myself, but dealing with Bob Armstrong was always such a no-hassle experience.
Here's a few reasons for the individuals out there who may not know of him.
First of all, at every coin show in Ontario, Bob always set up his coins in at least six showcases.
His coins were all raw (with a very few graded coins) and what was special about his coins, if one coin was between grades, let's say a 1916 dime that was either an ms64 or ms65, Bob A. would have it priced at the lower grade.
At least you had a chance of making some money on the deal.
You weren't cherrypicking Bob's coins, rather you both knew where you stood concerning the purchase.
If you really knew your grading (and there was a bunch of us there at every coin show) you had that 'anticipation' of not only finding a special 'raw' coin, but you could be making money on it too! What a great combination!
I can't say that for any of the current dealers on the coin circuit. Their raw coins are graded out at the max and priced out too at the max. NO FUN at all!!
Secondly, if you ever had a problem with a purchase (in 10 years dealing with Bob, I think I only had one bad deal with him) he immediately took the coin back from me without any hassle whatsoever. Again, I'm not sure how many current dealers would do that.
And lastly, just his friendly and professional personality and talking to his lovely wife Joyce, was always such a great pleasure.
He will definitely be missed.
Attending coin shows for me now is such a letdown.
Seeing the same inventory from these dealers, show after show after show, and still priced at sky high prices makes the trip almost useless.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5324 Posts |
I had the pleasure to meet him at some of the small GTA shows and at TCNC auctions were he graded coins for them, always had time to look at a few coins, and give grades for me, a really nice gentlemen for sure.
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Moderator
 Canada
10458 Posts |
Quote:
Again, I'm not sure how many current dealers would do that. If my handwriting is on the 2x2 flip of a raw coin purchased from me (online or at shows) I always take it back... Quote:
Attending coin shows for me now is such a letdown. You are obviously missing the collectors that are all hanging out Coin Expo. I am a collector first, and at Coin Expo, the error crowd and Bill and others gravitate to my table and hang out there most of the day, before we all meet up for pints at Jack Astors down the street... THAT is what brings me back to the show - I could care less if I actually sell anything, I enjoy seeing all my coin friends, meeting the folks from CCF and the show-and-tell... "Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2495 Posts |
SPP-Ott.....
I totally understand the social aspect of any collecting group.
Many friendships, plenty of education and lots of laughs can be had from a group of collectors, for sure.
Personally, when it comes to coins, I'm more of the 'business' side to things. I want to find some new material at good prices, either to collect it or to sell it.
I leave my social life to other venues.
I'm not knocking yours mind you, I'm only stating my 'way of life'.
I mention this because of Bob Armstrong in particular.
For my collecting needs and collecting lifestyle, he was far superior to any other dealer I have ever met.
Edited by doubleeagle59
02/18/2016 09:30 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
As I've mentioned before, I always watch for Bob Armstrong flips. In Toronto last November I was surprised when one of the other RCNA course attendees (a dealer) mentioned that Bob was known for whizzing his coins. I had never heard that before and found it hard to believe because I've never seen it in the coins I've handled. I don't recall viewing an over-graded coin in one of his holders. |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5588 Posts |
Well, I've looked at 100's, if not 1000's of Bob's coins and never saw a whizzed one. However, I don't collect 63+ coins, which is where you might see something. But, knowing him and his pedigree, I'd say that the person you talked to was just jealous.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2495 Posts |
Bob whizzing his coins is a new one for me.
I never would have thought it and I certainly don't believe it.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9864 Posts |
Can someone please post a pic of a coin in a Bob Armstrong 2x2 ?
It would go a long way to help those who are unfamiliar with his legacy.
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
Edited by DBM
02/18/2016 10:02 am
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
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Moderator
Canada
10458 Posts |
Sean Isaacs has a similar, distinctive style as well... he spent a lot of time with Bob Armstrong in his younger days.
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3234 Posts |
Never had the pleasure and am sad that it never happened.
I've only heard the best about his great grading ability and I'm sure that some of my nicer ones did pass through his hands.
For me, it's all about the social aspect of meeting like minds at these coin shows and enjoying the moment.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2301 Posts |
I never had ANY problems with Bob. I am aware of a certain numismatic company who attempt to copy his hand writing and I would definitely believe that they would whiz a coin. It is NOT Shawn either.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2495 Posts |
Nickelsguy....please tell me it's not the one I'm thinking of.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2301 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3234 Posts |
Ah..OH.. Would that "Numismatic Company" be located in this country..perhaps..?  |
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,902 |
Posted 02/18/2016 05:23 am
