There is an online coin dealer advertising in COINage magazine. Their url is www.coastcoin.com, and their site has a LOT of coins in various grades. Some of the key coins are certified, others are not. I'm always *VERY* leery about buying an uncertified coin from anyone when the coin is a key date. Has anyone dealt with this company before? What are your thoughts? Are there any known instances of fraud? Creative photography? Etc?
The above being the consensus regarding Coast to Coast coins... there are a smattering of opinions and warnings you can find amongst past threads, just click the 'Advanced Search' link at the top right of any CT page. Enter "Coast to Coast coins" in the key word field and click the "Search Now" button. You should find a number of threads discussing online dealers, both safe suggestions and those members detested, Coast to Coast amongst them.
Aw go figure. It seems to be a common story with companies that can afford full color page adds in several Krause publications as well as their red book. If a company doesn't have a return policy don't deal with them. If they are a member of ANA by default they should follow ANA's return policy guide lines.
Same thing Mac, do a Search... However, with this one though I have seen favorable comments provided.
Speaking of crap, should a 1916 Walker have full skirt lines or is the pic in the July issue from Paul Sims Inc. crap. Premium Quality Brilliant Unc. it says. I know they are the same as coast to coast, but I'm not sure about the strike of the 1916. The pic shows about 1/4 of the skirt lines...
If it doesn't have all of the skirt lines on it, just ask PS to have them engraved on the coin. I'm sure they will be happy to do it for you. Chris
To quote their website, "Our grading is based on Photograde and our interpretation of industry standards." The beginning of that claim giveth, the end of that claim taketh away.
Now that, my friend, is a helpful post. May I suggest one to be added? http://www.hallenbeck-coins.com/ This is the dealer with whom I primarily do business when I'm at home. He is located just around the corner from the ANA, is on their board (or used to be?), and every year is one of the editors of the Red Book. He has always been very fair and honest with me, and has a great reputation in the community. I have never done business through his web site (actually, my first order is en route), but I would hope he conducts business the same way online as he does in his store. Btw, I do *not* work for him, nor do I get a kickback for the plug I just call them like I see them.
Mac Doug's list is a decent starting point (although a bit out of date). I would recommend some fine dealers that post here and provide a lot of good insight. They include the Penny Lady (if you're buying copper), the Lost Dutchman and Mark Feld. Google any of them and you'll find their websites. They are all well-respected here and contribute here. And none of them have a business model meant to prey on those new to the hobby. One of the most important lesson everyone learns when they start buying coins is that some companies and dealers sell crap and sell it almost exclusively to rookies. Those are the dealers to avoid.
And depending on what you are looking for there are some specialized dealers. Plus don't forget Heritage Auctions. Is there anything specific you are looking for?