Frustrated by Saint Gaudens

I am on a crusade to find my common-date dream Saint (probably MS63 or MS64). With *lots* of help from members, moderators, and dealers, I am making slow progress.

I am learning to discriminate the good from the bad (and the *ugly*!), but I still have a ways to go.

I am regularly checking the usual places and now (thanks to Geekpryde!) I'm watching the dealers listed in his "Master List". But no one seems to have the volume that Heritage and (to a lesser extent) David Lawrence carry.

I'm starting to look at (gasp!) eBay, but don't worry... I wouldn't buy there unless it was from a dealer that was approved by folks here and if it was slabbed.

Are there other places I should be looking? Greatcollections? Collector's Corner?

The advice I was given (which I think is wise), is to look anywhere and everywhere. The more I can learn, the better off I'll be.

I'm just looking for a few more ideas on where to find the same volume of available coins as Heritage.

Thanks.

Edit: I also tried Harlan J. Berks, but it is difficult on their website to filter and/or sort, and therefore I have a hard time determining which coins I've already looked at...

 

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Stacks+Bowers. Pinnacle Rarities. Blanchard. AU Capital Management. NFC Coins. Executive Coin. Northeast Numismatics. Coin Rarities Online. Attend coin shows.

 

On Harlan J. Berks on the US coin page - just select those coins listed for the last 7 days. On northeasts website I always pick the display new us coins.

 

Make sure you have a few grand stashed away. when a great double Eagle pops up you best act fast. Otherwise another collector will get it.

 

Yeah, I am planning on selling a few of my kids.

(That was a joke for those of you getting ready to report me to Child Services)

Good advice, though. Thanks.

 

I think you will be better served working with a dealer that buys coins from walk in customers IMO. I know Lost Dutchman gets lots of nice coins and if you put him on the lookout you might get a better deal if he knows he can turn it fast.

MS63 common dates don't carry a huge premium over spot but on places like Heritage almost everyone will set the reserve at a minimum of spot plus. Then when HA adds another 17% or so those gold coins start to creep over market value IMO. If you do choose HA I would go with the big auctions they have several times a year and not the Sun/Tues auctions. The volume of the big auctions can have better deals as some coins slip through the cracks a bit especially is the supply is greater than demand on that day.

And here's a place I've had very good luck with. They will usually give you 3% of you send a check which I always do because you are looking at $50 off on this one. I bought a $20 Lib off them that I sent and got CAC. I've been happy with all the coins I've bought here.

http://www.brokencc.com/modules.php?mod=Products&op=view_product&prod_id=121913

 

I looked for about a year before I got the one I have now. You'll find one, just keep looking and be patient. You should get a good price since gold is down. Good luck.

 

I find the HJB website very easy to use and they must have a hundred Saints in stock. They are local to me and I would trust their grading 100%. As long as you avoid pieces with heavy spots ( a few small ones don't bother me), coins with large contact marks on the knees or chest, or one with poor luster- I don't think you can go wrong. Remember, most of the price is the gold weight. The collectable portion of the price is only about 20%.

Ideally, go to a large show if you can. There, you could choose from thousands of Saints.

 

Doug, did you track down your Saint yet ?

Prices have come down, especially for sub-MS65 coins. Hopefully you got a good deal.

 

Decided to put my money into other coins. Thanks, though.