I went to one of the local coin shows on Saturday. Bought a few not particularly valuable items, but enough of them that I spent more total than I usually do. I also took my binders of a full set of circulated Mercs (including 16D and 21 & 21D) as well as my Walker set. I always do when I go to shows, figuring I can improve the condition of some of my more well-circulated examples. When I got home that evening, about 6 hours after the show, after running a few errands, MY BINDERS WERE GONE! We're probably talking about a value of $2000 - $2500 total. I called the bourse chairman - who happens to be an officer of my local club - and he said he had my binders. A dealer had turned them in. My heart then started beating again. I drove back to the show Sunday and picked them up. Not a single coin was missing. That dealer - who had pretty good prices anyway - now has a VERY loyal patron.
You are a very lucky my friend and he or she is a honest dealer give him or her a big :hug: and a few bucks$$$ Bruce,
WOW! My heat stopped beating for a moment as well when I was reading your story! I would definitely feel the same way you do toward that dealer. Show you thanks with a few dollars...
That dealer would be a friend for life and get my business whenever possible. It's nice to hear about the honest actions of others. The world hasn't completely gone bad despite what the evening news says. Very happy for you!!! :thumb:
Whoa! Man are you lucky. There are still good people out there! I'm glad to hear everything is okay. I too would reward that dealer. He or she seems like a very nice person. :thumb: Phoenix
WOW---I bet you are glad there is a dealer who cares enough about collectors to do that! I've left my carrying case at my dealers before but never have left coins.... Speedy
KLJ,man,you were very lucky.You will have to do the bourse chairman & the honest dealer a big favour some time,such as taking them out for a meal or buying them some beer. Aidan.
Good God.... I woulda shat myself.... Glad to hear you got them back and unharmed... Could have been UGLY!!!
Wow....you are certainly lucky and definitely owe that dealer some business!! I agree with the previous post that you should tell us who the dealer is......I would certainly do business with someone that trustworthy.
Good story. The dealer has earned the right to have his name mentioned here. It would be great if he had a website.
It's great to hear a story like that. It reminds us that there are still some people in the world who value honesty and their conscience more than a quick buck. Seriously, I don't see how thieves can live with themselves. If I didn't earned something or had it given to me as a gift, it would be completely worthless to me. I don't care if it's a truckload of gold - if I didn't earn it honestly, it might as well be a truckload of dirt. Here's an idea for you, though. If you ever take your binders back to a show, get some of those neon green or pink colored binders. You might get a few funny looks from people, but you're going to notice them sitting on a dealer's table more than just a plain white binder.
WOW that sure started as a scarry story. I agree you should give out the name of that dealer, his web site, etc. I sure would trust someone like that way, way more so than the dealers I know. If you don't know that info, the next time you go to that show, ask him for the info. by the way from what you say it sounds like you have a lot more in value than you think. Worst 16D around here would be about $1000 alone. Throw in the 21, 21D and the rest and really something. If you like Mercury Dimes I suggest you go after the highest grade 31D you can find. Fourth lowest mintage in the series and for now really low priced.
My 16D has a story. About 5 years ago I came across it at a show in Louisville. This was just before the prices really started to ramp up. Really worn, almost to the point of the rims completely enveloping the words. I paid $200 for it, when coins of similar date and condition were going for slightly more than that. I was able to get it at that price because it looks like it's been found by someone with a metal detector. And when they were digging it up hit it with the shovel. A number of dealers - including the previously mentioned bourse chairman - have offered me considerably more than I paid. But I could never afford to replace it at what they would give me. The 21 and 21D were purchased at about the same time from a dealer well known to many here on this forum, but again before prices started to ramp up.
Went to the club meeting last night and finally got the name of the dealer's business (I knew HIS, but not the business itself). PJ Dubinski (sic?) of PJ's Coins and Metals - Erie, PA - they don't have a website.