| Author |
 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,638 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1081 Posts |
I assume that most people who sell coins for a living are also collectors themselves however I have no idea whether this is true. I do find that some dealers have a level of interest that seems to extend beyond pure financial interest - that is, they seem to be interested in the coins and the collectors.
On the other hand, usually running a business requires a certain degree of rational detachment and, if you're really invested in these little details that could stand in the way of success.
Any thoughts on this?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
7273 Posts |
Out of the 4 dealers I know only 1 is a major collector. The other 3 are into bullion or consider the store their collection but don't actively collect. The major collector has some pretty nice coins including a 1944 steel LWC and an experimental 1999 quarter made of the same planchet as the Sacagawea dollar. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Some are some aren't. Some try and collect in areas they don't generally sell, some will view their inventory as their collection until something sells, others may just hold back certain things they really like. Basically all of them collected at some point if they don't anymore.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
8938 Posts |
Coin shop employee here. Boss does collect, but only coins and currency from his hometown
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I know many dealers that are collectors themselves , especially the ones that been in business a long time ; 25-40 years . As they buy coins from collectors and the general public they keep all the pristine gems for themselves and sell the rest . And yes they upgrade throughout their time in business if a better one comes along .  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
I couldn't imagine dealing in coins unless there was some base level of passion.
Same reason I wouldn't buy a pet from someone with no pets of their own, nor food from a skinny chef.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
5239 Posts |
Most of the dealers I know collect to some degree. On dealer mentioned explicitly that he chose his collecting area to avoid conflict with his customers. Another keeps stuff aside in his "secret drawer" for a period of time but most of the stuff eventually gets sold. Another tends to collect militaria more than coins.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1081 Posts |
"Same reason I wouldn't buy a pet from someone with no pets of their own, nor food from a skinny chef."
I like this!
|
|
Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
I was an internet dealer for a long time, and still dabble at coins shows. I found that I needed to focus on 1 or 2 series and let the others go, or I wouldn't want to sell anything.
I have since pared down to just Bust Halves and I only add to my small collection occasionally when one comes down the pike that I just can't resist.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
743 Posts |
The owner of my LCS doesn't really collect, mostly what comes into his shop. He does like anything to do with the world's fair. He has numerous tokens from Chicago and New York worlds fair that he proudly displays in the case.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I sort of know many coin dealers from going to coin shows a lot. About half tell me they too are collectors. Others say it is just a business and have no real interest in collecting as a hobby. Those that don't collect coins are the ones that have a coin or hobby store. They say it's just a business and that is all.
|
| |
Replies: 11 / Views: 1,638 |
|
Posted 01/13/2020 1:32 pm
