I'm going to be going up to Chicago in a couple of weeks - any recommendations of places to check out? I like big "junk" bins to sort through, and also collect world coins / medals / US Philippines / So-Called Dollars.
You can use this dealer locator on the NGC Home page if you'd like...... http://www.ngccoin.com/services/dealer-listing.aspx Chris
There's also the yellowpages: http://anywhoyp.yellowpages.com/chicago-il/coin-dealers?from=anywho_cobrand&g=Chicago%2C+IL&q=Coin+Dealers
Of course he can look in the directories. I think he's looking for personal recommendations. I'm sorry, but I've only passed through Chicago a couple of times.
The guys at Harlan J Berk, 31 North Clark St downtown, are really nice, but they have better coins including ancient and world coins. Far as I know Tom DeLorey still works there and he is tops in my book. Bob Greenberg is a nice fellow too. Call em beforehand to see what they've got. Good luck! George
Just wanted to bump this - any other suggestions for the Chicago area? Particularly somewhere you can get off the El?
Thank you! If anyone actually goes by the store I would enjoy hearing how Tom and Bob are, what coins they had offered for sale, and what they bought? These guys are true professionals and I have bought some gorgeous coins there over the years. Best Regards, George
I'll post an update. Looks like the shop is within walking distance of Union Station (0.79 miles away), which is a nice bonus since I'm coming in on the train. Will post an update and my impressions of the shop. Thanks for the help!
Good luck George! I remember in particular two nice sets I bought from Tom DeLorey at HJB. One was a complete MS64 PCGS set of Franklin halves. I sold that one for a nice profit a few months later. The other was a complete-full rims-both sides-G/VG set of Barber halves. That was a nice set! I wish I had held onto that one and upgraded it. Best Regards, George
Sadly, I found out that the shop is closed on both Saturday and Sunday... after walking to it. Well, I'll put it on the list to visit next time I'm up in Chicago. The outside and barred window displays were quite impressive.
Harlan Berk's shop is great, especially for ancient collectors. The ground floor shop, which address was given, deals with US and world coins. If you wish to see ancients you have to let them know and go up to the 13th floor. They have everything, though, and I find them good to work with. Maybe not the cheapest, but what I bought was cheaper than Ebay prices, which I find high for coins nowadays. Btw sorry to hear George. It is a handy shop if you are going into Union Station, but they are closed weekends, and only open to 4:45 on weekdays.
My wife and I stopped by Harlan Berks on Monday. She was very impressed with what they had on dispaly. Some beautiful toned coins. Spoke with both the Greenberg's, father and son. Both with more than helpufl and will to spend some time answering our questions. Top shelf business and great people to converse with on coins. Looking forward to making a nice purchase from them someday. I highly recomend stopping if in town.
