Should I Buy It ? Reflection

Slerk,

I only collect 2 different series, basically US coins and coins from Portugal.

For US coins I use Grey Sheet (it's a dealer pricing guide), I use that price as a starting point. Last year it's almost impossible to find coins at greysheet, so I use the price guides/eBay sold/PCGS prices to try and figure out what is fair and sometimes still pay over as that is the way the market is currently. If it's crazy over I just pass. Setting up searches on the places you shop helps to keep the prices reasonable.

For Portuguese coins there isn't a good price guide or a fair comparison using ebay sold sometimes so I pay usually what a dealer asks or try to negotiate a % discount. Also most Portuguese coins are under the price I worry about (usually $20 for none precious metals and $35 for silver) that I just don't worry too much on the price. It's not significant enough to worry too much.

Almost always. I haven't learned how to be consistent with any price guide, because they change all of the time. ebay is quick, easy, and accurate as long as you know what you're doing.

Although most of my purchases are impulse buys, coins that are meant for resale, I do still make a "ten coins to buy this year" list. Those are usually pricey ones, and ones I plan to save up for throughout the year. I pick up a lot of other coins throughout the year as well.



That's the thrill of the hunt, you never know what exceptional coin will come tomorrow. All you can do is prepare yourself with knowledge and availability so you can buy that coin. Adding unexpected coins to the collection is good, it keeps things fresh and you have some new knowledge or coin slot filled that would be empty otherwise.



Two and a half years ago, I was drooling over one single 1921 Morgan dollar. Seated and bust coinage was unfathomable and unobtainable, too old and expensive. Gold was a pipe dream. As a sophmore in high school, I started buying and selling coins, saving up, and purchasing coins that I really wanted. I was going to over 60 garage sales per saturday and ask for coins. I went from drooling over that single 1921 morgan to having coins like draped bust large cents, AU capped bust halves, and pre 33 gold pieces. All of which were earned through putting time in and getting coins in return. Some may say I got all of these for "free". It goes to show, if you want something spectacular, you can make it happen.