Hello fellow Coin Talkers! I am going to a coin show next Saturday and I have a budget of $100. I like just about all coins and paper money. Does anybody have any suggestions or ideas about what I should buy? Thanks guys!
Find one coin for $100 and then go home. Please don't be offended, but your question is too vague. Without knowing something about your collecting preferences, it would be like playing darts blindfolded. Chris
OK, gotcha. I like Lincoln Cents, Buffalo Nickels, and old paper money. But I kinda wondered what you guys would do in my situation, with your own collecting interests.
Will this be the first coin show you've attended? How many dealers are expected to be there? How old are you? (Nothing personal!) Chris
i would walk the show and see what i liked. some times a coin will just call at you. then i would make the purchase(s) hoping nobody else bought the item
With my collecting interests? For $100, I'd probably buy a book in my area of interest or save the cash to build up more for a nicer purchase.
Okay! Some dealers take to YN's like their grandchildren, and some dealers hate YN's like their grandchildren. I assume that you've experienced this by now and have learned that you can sometimes use your youth as a good negotiating advantage. When negotiating, always do so in a positive way. Don't try to get a lower price by talking negatively about a coin, and never, never say, "Well, the dealer over there has this same coin for......." because he will probably tell you to go buy from him. It's much better to just tell the dealer that you have limited funds at your disposal. Your collecting preferences are still a bit vague. You didn't say if you prefer raw coins for albums or certified coins and what grade ranges you want. There can be considerable differences in price. Like easj3699 said, walk the floor and see if there is anything that catches your eye. Make mental or written notes of those coins, and look for others that can be compared to them in both price and grade. It shouldn't take too long to go through 50 tables. Don't worry if a coin is sold while you're looking through the other tables. There will always be other opportunities. It's better to miss out on one opportunity that to pay too much for a coin. I realize that I probably haven't been much help to you, but I felt this was worth saying. Chris
I would buy proof sets from perhaps 1965 (SM sets) to the present. That would be alot of bang for the buck and some nice coins.
Thanks guys. I have bought a couple of SMSs in the past and I really like them. As for certified or uncertified, I prefer uncertified if the coin is common. And Chris, I appreciate the tips. And I agree, many older dealers like seeing YNs and will cut great deals!
No idea everything you're into, but for sake of example this is what I got last coin show: 1986-S American Silver Eagle Proof, OGP, $70 (Christmas gift for my brother) 1936 Buffalo nickel, MS 64, ANACS, $50 1995 Brilliant Uncirculated Pound Coin (with Welsh Dragon), OGP, $7.50 1983 South Korean 5 won coin (with dragon boat reverse), raw, $0.50 I was somewhat already planning to buy a high grade buffalo nickel if one presented itself. The cheaper purchases were impulse buys. I was looking to get a gift for my brother, born in 1986 so something from that year, but got the ASE specifically because someone actually had a nice one in original packaging (most of the others I saw were either not that great with obvious spots or scratches, or slabbed). $100 should be able to get something nice. Keep your eyes open. Can easily get a good condition buffalo nickel of the more common dates. Old paper money? Probably be able to get something decent in that budget too. (Not both of these probably though lol...). Keep your eyes open, something might catch your eye.
I've went to shows with decent amount of money, only to leave with the same amount. If nothing calls to you, don't feel like you have to buy something. Sometimes just browsing the shows is just as fun IMO. If you like a variety of items and want to spend all your money, I'd pick up modern mixed with some old. The Sacagawea / Native American dollar set is something you can pick up, and complete, very easily. I always recommend those to new collectors.
Should be able to find something like that in your price range. Should have suggested it earlier with your screen name lol but someone beat me to it.
from what i have seen at shows i would walk a bit and see which dealers are selling alot and those that aren't then talk to those that aren't.i have gotten some good deals that way maybe just luck.
