Hey Guys Last year there was a small (5 dealer) show near me and I decided to set up and sell some extra coins---well I did that and did quite well! Not only did I sell a good bit of coins but I traded and bought some other really nice coins. Well this year they are having it again (this time they are hoping more more dealers) and I decided to set up again. So does anyone have any tips, or suggestions on what types of coins seem to be hot at coin shows lately? Last year alot of the people that came were just looking for odd and rare coins---one guy had a complete set of BU Barber half dollars. But many of the people either didn't have a computer/internet or they didn't do the research. Alot of the people were useing Price Guides such as the Red Book or Numismatic News Price guide. I was useing the Gray Sheet and so my prices seemed "low" to them. So what seems to be hot?? Is it the same as last year?? or is it what was dead last year? or is it something else :hammer: :hammer: Last year proof and mint sets didn't sell at all.....Morgan and Peace dollars were really slow---I traded I think it was 4 Morgan dollars for 4 ASE....I was asking $12-$15 for the Morgans...I then turned around and sold the ASE for $25 each to a guy that was standing there. Last year Key Dates went in about the first hour. Such coins as 1914-D cent was gone within min. of the show opening. :hail: So far I've been buying a few of the "Edgeless" dollars off of Ebay and a dealer here on CT to take with me---so far none of the dealers around here have gotten any of them so I think I can "corner" the market on that coin! Speedy
I think you have a good idea there with the "edgeless" dollars. IMO, I think they will sell very fast as they're the latest thing that alot of collectors are on the lookout for. But, when I attend a show I usually dont have anything specific in mind to buy, if I see something I like I buy it. I like going to tables that have a good variety of coins. You're right though, there doesn't seem to be as many people buying Morgan and Peace dollars for some reason, from what I've seen. I wonder why, I think that now is a great time to buy silver. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Speedy, You have pretty much went over what will sell! Proof Sets don't sell very well at Coin Shows, Gun Shows and Flea Markets but fair well on eBay and the such. Odd coins and some Commemorative coins such as the Civil War Tokens, Stone Mountain Commemorative, other old Commemoratives, Three Cent Pieces (especially the Silver), Two Cent Pieces, $1 and $3 Gold Pieces sell fairly well if priced right. ASE's and even AGE's, collectible Silver Rounds and Silver Bars (especially Engelhard Silver Bars) sell very well. Old Large Cents, Bust and Seated Liberty Dimes, Quarters and Halfs sell fairly well at times if you can get them cheap enough and sell them cheap enough. Barber Halfs, Quarters and Dimes, Walking Liberty Halfs, Standing Liberty Quarters, Shield Nickels, Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Cents and cheap Wheat Cents (especially nice Steel Cents) are some of the items that buyers usually ask about. If I can think of some other items that do fairly well, then I will write another Post later! Frank
Speedy: Any key date will sell right away. I never see very many, 09S VDBs 14D's etc. I can't believe that one of the sellers had a set of unc Barber Half dollars!!!! Nice, I wish that I could have seen that one. Quality sells to collectors, 'visitors' to a show buy what is flashy or "hey, Grandma had one those." Good luck.
Perhaps the best thing is to do what most other sellers DONT normally do! It does require a bit of experimentation but I guess there is a good reason why many dealers try to have a huge variety of coins just to attract customers. Proof sets are usually brought by many dealers and perhaps if people do see them with all the dealers, like the Morgan silver dollars, unless you have a crazy hard to beat sale or some sort, I personally don't bother. Indeed, edgeless dollar coins will be highly interesting. Huntman might have the best idea so far
I do not attend a lot of shows and my interests lie almost exclusively in Lincolns. However, Heritage total sales are; 1. Morgans (way ahead) 2. Commemoratives 3. Lincolns SL halves & Washington Quarters Total listings on eBay are: 1. Morgans (way ahead) 2. Lincolns 3. Commemoratives SL halves & Washington Quarters The one that surprises me is the commemoratives Take that for what it is worth.
As long as you don't take it too far. Don't start buying for more than you sell just to be different !
A factor that helped your sales was fair pricing - this is a must-do. Aside from that, gxseries has great advice - be different. I would recommend, if possible, to have a few of every type of coin on display, and have coins in a number of different grades. When I go to a show, I walk right by the dealers that have cases full of (for example) Morgans. On the other hand, when I see a table with a bit of everything, I'll stop by and view the inventory, looking for something I'm interested in. I would stay away from stocking lots of proof sets, mint sets, and bullion - unless you are able to buy these really cheaply, you won't be able to compete (price-wise) with eBay or large online dealers. These sets will only take away precious space you could be using to display other things. Otherwise, good luck at the show :thumb:
Indianhead Thanks for your thoughs---I need every bit of advise I can get! I hope the Edgeless dollars That is just what the kindof of think I'm looking for. There is another dealer in town that I'm sure that will be there that has the "market cornered" on Stone Mt. Comm's....I think he just got about 60+/-. The odd coins such as the 3 cent, 2 cent and 1 dollar gold coins is a good idea....I think I'll see if I can take a few each of those. I never want to take alot of each but last year I took just a few of each type that I could think of. The silver rounds and Bust Coinage is something that I've been looking for. There is a "new" collector in town that is starting to sell his lifelong collection and I viewed it today----I think almost all of his coins are undergraded and underpriced. He has alot of Bust and seated coins....along with odd coins. Maybe will have to buy him out Maybe I said that wrong---it was a collector who came to the show and he was trying to sell it---he wouldn't show it to me...I guess maybe he didn't think I had the cash (and he was right) to buy it. He asked if I had any Barber coins with me...I had only taken one along with some junk silver but it was too low of grade for him! Last year I was the only dealer with World coins----I took my whole World Collection (300+coins)....it was dead...I think one guy looked at it. I had taken some Paper money that I had gotten in change, older bills from the 30's and 60's and sold almost all of them to one guy. Maybe paper money is something I should watch for also. Thanks ALOT! That is something I didn't know! I'm kindof shocked to see that Washington Quarters are lowest...with all of the State Quarters and such I would have thought them to be higher! Good think to know! LOL!!!! Speedy
Thanks for the advice. While the show is still alittle while off I'm trying to get things together and pick out things that need to go! Jako I'm not totaly sure but it's in KY....kindof a long trip. Speedy
Nope---I just set up at this show to kindof get rid of extras and get a hands on learning of dealing. I don't do much selling/dealing at all. Speedy
I would recommend having a decent selection of 19th century type coins, even if they are in lower grades. I find that people at these types of shows love to buy 2 and 3 cent pieces, shield nickels, bust halves, etc. They usually will pay fairly strong money for them as well.
Hey Shortgapbob! I think your right---I have a few of those around here somewhere that I've been wanting to upgrade to a nicer grades, so maybe that would be the way to sell them! Speedy
