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 Replies: 15 / Views: 932 |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
I am new to serious (?) collecting. I'm 77 years old, and started as a kid with penny coin folders. I'd like to complete these, but everywhere that I look there are drastic price differences for the same coin in more or less, the same condition. For example, I have a 1992 proof set that I bought from the mint 9back thjen). One seller wanted over $1,000 for a set, and another wanted $8.95. Something fishy going on there. Some say "clad" and others don't. I was a die maker for one of the 5 big silversmiths in the US. So I know a little about dies. And I know more than a little about metal, especially silver. So I guess I have TWO questions.
1) Why such a difference in price for those proof sets?
2) Can someone please point me to a site where they have genuine coins? I don't care if they were circulated, as long as most detail is visable. Talking about my penny collection here.
Thanks in advance
*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1100 Posts |
Firstly welcome to the community. Before delving into serious buying, take time to familiarize yourself with what things really cost. There are a ton of great people in the hobby and a few bad apples as well. Find a local coin shop if possible. Ask a lot of questions on here. Careful when things look too good to be true. There are many great sites on the web to help with values, mintages, and relative rarity of things. If you have the ability go to a coin show, walk the floor and just look. You will be amazed what is out there. Once you are comfortable with all this, then start selectively buying things that make you happy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1100 Posts |
I will add that a silver proof set runs about $29 and a clad one about $8.50. No idea why a set would be over $1000.
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New Member
 United States
6 Posts |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Also, the proof set that I have does not have the frosted finish on the raised areas, All is mirror.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4704 Posts |
Inexperienced or unscrupulous sellers on ebay often ask insane prices for ordinary coins. As others have said, learn what the coins should cost. The Red and Blue Books are a good resource, and so is NumisMedia. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
556 Posts |
The ebay seller is trying to scam people. He is so generous too, with his 50% discount, so it'll only cost $648 OBO for a proof silver set (dime, quarter and half 90% silver) worth maybe $30. A great place to assist in determining coin values is ebay "sold" listings. And I said assist, buyers on ebay get suckered all the time. So, educate your self. Welcome to the CCF! |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
94367 Posts |
Good advice from all. Be very wary on ebay.  to the CCF! |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
Yes, thank you all. That is why originally I was asking if anyone knows of a reliable site that won't rip me off.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Don't get me wrong, there many fine ebay sellers. Most legitimate dealers across the country maintain a website because that's how the majority of business is done these days. Search for dealers that are members of ANA, PMG, PCDA, PCGS and etc. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4381 Posts |
You can ASK anything you want. It's not a price / value / sale until some (idiot) pays that price. There are some sellers I trust implicitly
There are some sellers I trust as long as I'm watching carefully
There are some sellers I wouldn't trust even at gunpoint You just have to learn to tell them apart, which takes time and (unfortunately) some tuition (bad purchases). For example, there is a ebay seller who takes pictures flooded with so much light that a black cat would look white. You learn to recognize their pics and not even bother looking. -----Burton 50 year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, OnLine Coin Club Owned by four cats and a wife of 40 years (joined 1983) |
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New Member
United States
43 Posts |
My rules of thumb for ebay coin shopping: 1. Only purchase if there is a return policy 2. Only purchase coins physically located in the United States 3. Heavily scrutinize sellers who are not coin dealers, particularly those who have not already handled thousands of transactions And as others mentioned, cross check the value with an easily accessible resource such as Numismedia, which is found at: https://www.numismedia.com/rarecoin...es/fmv.shtmlEvery seller on ebay takes photos using different cameras, lighting, techniques, etc. Professional dealers usually upload very detailed images to the listings. But this is where a return policy is crucial... sometimes it is difficult to tell if a coin has been cleaned, or what tone or shade it is, even with high quality photography. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Check for credentials, check for feedback. If you have any doubt, ask this forum first for opinions.
Edited by Coinfrog
01/05/2025 7:15 pm
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Moderator
United States
33166 Posts |
Quote:
If you have any doubt, ask this forum first for opinions. You could use the CCF search box that is in the top left corner of your screen as a starting point. Some ebay sellers have been discussed on this forum previously.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
United States
164495 Posts |
to the Community!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3535 Posts |
I do buy previous year US Mint Sets on ebay, but that's it. I agree they must be US based sellers (because I am in USA), They must be established sellers with positive ratings & they must offer returns. I have used ebay for many years but only to buy sealed mint sets. |
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Replies: 15 / Views: 932 |
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Posted 01/05/2025 2:08 pm
