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 Replies: 23 / Views: 4,239 |
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Moderator
 Canada
10458 Posts |
I have found over the years, that there are three types of coin shops:
1. Highly cluttered and full of stuff that really is not much interest. These shops buy lots and mostly focus on bullion. That said, these dealers usually know quite a bit about the hobby and coins (Universal Coins in Ottawa or National Pride in Edmonton comes to mind).
2. Large, with buying stations, offices and a large volume of coins and display cases. You deal with staff, who are clueless when it comes to numismatic-related questions. These feel like cold department stores to me (Canadian Coin & Currency in Toronto comes to mind).
3. Just the right size, usually run by the owner and the owner pays attention to the little things that matter. Bright, clean, modern and the owners are numismatists in their own right, often with specific and unique collecting expertise. These owners usually publish newsletters or contribute regularly to the hobby in one fashion or another. These are my favourite shops (Alliance Coin & Banknote in Almonte and Metro Coin & Banknote in Toronto comes to mind).
I just discovered another shop that fits under my #3 category. I stopped in Brockville this morning, to visit the brick and mortar shop in the small downtown region. I was impressed - it was modern, clean, well-lit and lots of different coins from certified Canadian and world coins, to buckets of raw coins and even a melt-bucket to pick through. I bought a few minor errors this morning. This shop is owned and operated by CCF's TheCoinHunter (I am always impressed when a dealer maintains an online presence in coin forums) and being only an hour form Ottawa, it is a shop I will return to... "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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Valued Member
United States
344 Posts |
I could also see a fourth being added up there.... A shop that sells coins WAY above their value for no given reason. For example, the closest LCS to me selling ATB Quarters for $2 each and common wheat cents for over a dollar.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1963 Posts |
Quote:common wheat cents for over a dollar. Want to buy some for 25 cents each then?  |
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Valued Member
United States
344 Posts |
Quote:
Want to buy some for 25 cents each then? Quite a bargain considering this "AU" cent is going for $3  |
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Valued Member
United States
467 Posts |
I'm glad to hear about the shop in Brockville because I plan on hopping over the border in May or June when I am in northern New York. I might make an overnighter of it and go to Ottawa as well, as I haven't been there since I was a senior in high school.
Ironically, I have been to Ottawa four times in my life but have yet to visit my own nation's capital of Washington, DC!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
667 Posts |
Justanothercoinaddict - same for me. In fact when travelling in the area I try to avoid DC.
Note: this year is Canada 150. Ottawa is prepping for yearlong celebrations and hotel rooms are expected to be tough to find.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1949 Posts |
Quote:
This shop is owned and operated by CCF's TheCoinHunter (I am always impressed when a dealer maintains an online presence in coin forums) and being only an hour form Ottawa, it is a shop I will return to...  Always impressive when a dealer can maintain a brick a brick and mortar shop! |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
955 Posts |
Hmmmm... A good an excuse for a road trip. Thx SPP,looking forward to it. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1571 Posts |
You summed up the types of shops perfectly.
The examples were dead on as well. Cc&c gas a jaw dropping showroom, but the staff has to race to a computer to answer any questions. Jared, (if my memory is providing the right name), at Metro was fantastic to deal with. He showed me a couple some pictures of his most prized bank notes. I guess the actual bills were in a safer location. He was a pleasure to deal with.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3690 Posts |
Don's fish 'n chips and a new coin shop. Great reasons (excuses) for a bike cruise to Brockville this summer. Thanks SPP |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1461 Posts |
Thanks for the kind words SPP. The Thousand Island area is always a great place to visit and you'll be happy to know that my ATB Quarters are only 40 cents and common US pennies (that really need to be sorted one day) are open to low ball offers. Don's fish and chips is still going strong, The Aquatarium is now open (great for kids) and the first railway tunnel in Canada that passes under the city will be opening to the public in August.The back office doesn't look nearly as presentable as the front...lol...  Edited by TheCoinHunter
03/12/2017 12:27 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
217 Posts |
The Thousand Island Playhouse in Gananoque 1/2 hour up river from Brockville is well worth a visit too if you are there in the summer. Beautiful dockside theatre. Glad to hear about that coin shop. Will definitely give it a visit.
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Moderator
 Canada
10458 Posts |
Quote:
Great reasons (excuses) for a bike cruise to Brockville this summer. If you don't mind me asking CC-Ottawa, what is your ride? I too will be zipping down there on two wheels, when the weather allows it. Itching to get out on it....  "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
3690 Posts |
Also a Yamaha...  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
I've bought from The Coin Hunter before, great to do business with. |
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Valued Member
Canada
288 Posts |
Paul is a great guy to talk coins with. He's extremely knowledgable and fair to deal with. I highly recommend stopping in Brockville and checking out his store. As has been mentioned here already, grab some fish and chips at Don's or Manoll's.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 4,239 |
Posted 03/11/2017 02:55 am
