Lately I've been stopping at yard sales because people have said they get coins that way. I must have hit 20 since May. Never had any luck until today. The lady said she had coins but her family forbade her to sell them. A neighbor kid said he had one. He ran across the street and came back with a 1878S Morgan in a 2X2. The lady said well how much, $10? I looked at it and offered $9. Sold! So my first score, now I'm enthused.
That's about the right ratio - 20 trips to find one good deal. The thrill of finding something outside of "the system" is enjoyable. I view this sort of activity as "coin rescue."
Of course there is the ethical matter of taking a coin from a minor at a below market price. I don't think I would have accepted the offer unless the child's parent was involved in the transaction. The coin could have been important to the family for some reason and possibly was not for sale.
Negativity not needed here. The coin is not a gem. Pretty beat up and trashed out. Not a keepsake by any means. I bought it because I have no 1878 silver dollars and just wanted a token specimen. The kid knew what he was selling.
