Flea Market Naysayers Begone!

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I will be the first to admit that 95% of the coins at flea market are low end/problem coins...of course, from what I've seen at coin shops, so is most of the current inventory of available product. Seems like every couple of months, though, something really nice will pop up.



And I only buy lottery tickets when they're over $100m...

 

You make some good points. However, I think most people going to flea markets probably know what they are doing, or will at least know so in short time. Non collectors who happen to spot some coins and think they might be a good gift for someone--these are the types who many flea market dealers are looking to burn. I'd argue serious collectors know or will know how to do great at flea markets. Half of the time or more I find great stuff. If there's a great deal, I'll be sure to scoop it up. I think the naysayers are usually dealers who want our business

 

I just checked my notes, and I did (once) buy at a flea market.

An 1827 Bust dime for a massive 50 cents.

Sure it has some small obv & rev scratches, but..

Who cares?

 

And fortunes have been made that way : - )

 

I bought a bag of 90% silver war nickels at a flea market.

 

War nickels
Metal Composition:35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese

 

Several years back I only bought silver bars, and knew nothing about coins. At a flea market there was this bag of nickels that had a 90% sticker on it. Sure, what a nice way to add silver. That night I searched for information on war nickels and found out about the composition. It really was a good thing, because that night I learned about 35%, 40% , and 90%.
After that, many coin books were bought, and years were spent on this site as a guest. That bag of 90% war nickels started it all. What a great day that was.

 

The dealers at flea markets who are intentionally trying to burn people are the worst. They act like everyone is a moron except them. I for one don't agree with what these people think and pass them like they have the plague. I also think it's wrong to think most people fall for this kind of deceit out there. In any case, I kind of like being one of the few collectors searching the local flea markets. I don't always profit big, but my chances of doing so are greater if there's less competitors!

 

For those keeping track, the 1941 D Jefferson is coming back from NGC (one of my free submissions) as an MS67 6FS. Woohoo!

 

Though we're all looking to the day you open 'Doug's Wondrously Awesome Emporium of Glittery Coinage, Wizened Knowledge, and Crok Toothed Hats'.