Best place to buy coins

I use eBay a lot and have recently bought a couple coins from Littletons. Their prices are very high. Any ideas besides pawn shops, gun shows, and eBay?
matt

 

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would like to put my 2 cents worth on this thread,e-bay is bad but...... I have had some very good luck on a couple of occasions bought an 1859 Canadian cent for twelve dollars had it graded by ICCS and it came back a double punched 9 in VF30,and a 1908 nickel with a large 8 @ an excellent price however this was over a 5 year period of looking at mostly junk. GDJMSP is correct and unless you know what your looking for these three places are poison

 

I have had some good luck with people I met on this forum. Some do a lot of dealing. There are probably some other CT forums you can go to and hang out that sign you are looking for????

 

I have had good luck on ebay, local auctions, coin shows, and friends who want to off-load their coins. Knowledge is key.

 

I have had the most luck at coin shows, shops and through various forums

 

Some areas have a free want ad paper at restraunts and places,I have found some coins in them, and possibly craigs list

 

That is my vote. GDJMSP nailed it. Plus, a dealer that knows you, also knows how much you might appreciate a head up with something he or she knows you would like is making its rounds. I have three dealers that make me feel special and also give me some really good deals on the hard to find stuff - each has their own speciality (currency, MPCs, rare tokens). There is fourth dealer that just spoils me with foreign gold priced at spot.

I appreciate some of my dealers very much and they appreciate me. Good luck and give it a little time. Use your gut feeling when possible too.

 

I love Ebay I'm always get a good deal! But I'm real picky! And I love a kill( sneaking in for the steal

 

I'm a variety hunter and for me Ebay is perfect. I guess it depends on what you're buying. As Greg stated, you can get some steals on Ebay.

 

Antique stores are a good place to look... especially if they don't have a big coin selection... I have seen a few well under priced, probably been sitting in the case a long time.

 

eBay is fine. Buy from sellers with 100% +Positive feedbacks, and a decent return policy you can not go wrong! You can establish great relationships with eBay sellers, just as you can from real life Coin Dealers! Besides when you live in the sticks like I do, ya ain't got much choices!
Steve
P.S. I also have found the Coin Shop (www.coinshop.com) very pleasant to order from! GREAT Coins, GREAT Service, Great Prices, and Free Shipping in the US.

 

I've also been lucky at ebay and also at www.propertyroom.com

 

Heritage is by far my most preferred numismatic auction site. The quality and variety of coins offered is second to none. The big dollar coins are in the signature sales but the weekly internet sales have some fantastic coins and many can be had for very good prices. I would say that E-Bay is my second biggest source of coins but I only buy certified coins from sellers with outstanding feedback. Bowers & Merena have good auctions as does Ira & Larry Goldberg. Don't forget about David Lawrence Rare Coins. They have terrible photos/scans but if you learn how to read their photos, you can make some really nice purchases at discount prices.

 

I buy most of my silver art bars at coin shows and at my local dealers. I buy a few from ebay if I feel that I can get a good deal on one on ebay. The only coins that I collect are hobo nickels and I have bought modern hobo nickels from coin shows and on ebay.

 

Establishing a relationships with several local dealers has worked very well for me since I am able buy at low premums over spot.

 

Hello Matt,

What kind of coins do you like to collect?

 

The problem with Littleton is two-fold. Not only do they charge high prices for their coins, but also pay very little to get them. A friend of mine sent a complete set of Franklins to them for appraisal and there offer was basically for spot silver price. However, their coin supplies are a pretty good deal.

 

If the set wasn't UNC then spot silver is about the right price minus a coin or 2.

Actually at the larger shows Littleton has been known to be strong buyers of nice no problem coins and coins they have programs for. I have sold some coins to Littleton at more then greysheet ask on occasion. Not that I recommend buying the stuff they are selling.

 

I concur. Only by establishing good relationships with dealers have I been able to find many of my best specimens. They keep their eyes peeled for the type of stuff that I am interested in, and treat me fairly.