Where's A Good Coin Shop In Chicago?

Here is an old-fashioned idea: Look up all the coin dealers listed in the on-line yellow pages, call every one that looks promising, and ask them about their stock. I used to do that and it was quite useful for excluding the less useful ones.

I've never found a decent one in Chicago. However, there are lots of coin shows in the area but none in Chicago itself. For example there is a great one just South of Chicago in Countryside, Il. About a bit West of Lagrange Road, on Joliet Road. Then of course the one in Itasca, Il, West on Irving Park Road. A dealer that goes to all of them is from Morton Grove Coins and Collectibles. Store is 9241 Waukegan Road, in Morton Grove. His name is David Fishman and he is really a decent person. Niles Coin Shop is 7637 N. Milwaukee Raod, Niles, Il. I haven't been there for a while but when I did go there, was treated well.
The only ones I know of in Chicago, itself, really are rather horrible.

Worst place I've ever been to. Overpriced, lousy service, lots of cleaned coins, etc.

I would stick to the coin shows.

If you visit the store, they're a little stiff inside but extremely knowledgable. If you purchase more than one coin they will cut you a break on the pricing. I've worked in Chicago for 31 years and don't believe all the stories you read about Chicago being dangerous. It's a great city and completely safe. As far as the pricing goes at HJB it's a little high on the US coins but everything is negotiable. They're pretty much retail (numismedia) on their pricing so there should be some room to move. I've gotten nice deals from them. If a coin has been cleaned they'll tell you, just ask. They have an amazing showroom and will let you dig through anything they have. If you walk down Clark street be sure to check out their display windows, they'll have a blue overhang and it's really neat. The showroom is rather small but they have chairs where you can sit down and look through anything they have. They handle everything up to an including six figure coins.

Just be prepared to ask them questions and they'll be most helpful, if you just sit there like a bump on a log they'll pretty much ignore you. Once you get them talking though all is good.

I've been in the area for a long, long time and went to that place a lot. NEVER found a decent price, never found them to be sociable, and usually rather rude. If you can chew them down a bit you'll still be exceptionally over priced. Due to their location they don't really care about you since they get thousands of people walking by their store every day. I once asked why they don't attend any of the numerous coin shows in the area and was told why should we, just full of amateurs.
Remember if your in the Chicago area there are a minimum of 3 coin shows a Month, every Month but in the suburbs. And naturally coming up June 16, 17, 18 is the Greater Chicago Coin and Currency show in Tinley Park, Il.

THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the info! As a true Chicago resident in my humble 20's I dont have a car and bike everywhere. Some of these monthly shows will be a stretch, Tinley Park included. I have seen HJB at a couple of shows but I've never approached them for conversation or to make a purchase. I might drop by this week and get a feel for the place but it sounds like they wont be very happy when I say I want to see all their common date Wheat cents. LOL.