I spotted a yard sale this morning on my way back home, and decided to stop in for a look, there were tons of books about coins, so naturally I had to ask if he had any old coins lying around.... No luck. I'll be busy reading for a month or so though I am interested to hear if any of you have had luck finding coins at yard sales, and if so, what were your best hauls?
I always ask at every yard sale if they have any old coins for sale. It works. About 1 in 10 will have something for sale if asked.
I always have my eye out for coins and old coin books. Picked up a 1956 red book for a buck not long ago. Sadly, never have scored any coins.
I had no luck finding coins at yard sales, but I saw a few funny YouTube videos where people brag about getting steals on coins at them.
Zero fortune with finding coins. Lots of Franklin Mint stuff where the seller is trying to get a couple of bucks. They don't get it off me.
The word has gotten around the craiglist/yard sale groups that you can get "rare coins" from alibaba, and that if you play dumb and make no promises of condition or being authentic, you can make big gains selling to those who just know enough to think they have a miracle be tricked into buying...just no returns , no receipts.
Never coins, but did get a '47 Redbook in mint condition for a buck at an estate sale about 18 years ago.
Never bought a coin at a yard sale. Once found a wheat cent lying in the grass under a table at a yard sale. Cal
Years back, when I was traveling to many foreign countries while working on US ships, I would go into various shops like pawn, jewelry, watches, etc. and ask if they had any old coins. Often they would come out with a cigar box of treasures. I scored some really neat stuff that way, and quite cheaply, like 1700s pieces and silver dollar type coins. Got a few ancients I never did identify. Sold them all to a coin shop in Seattle when I got rid of nearly all my 'stuff' some years ago. I think there are coins everywhere, if one just takes the time to look.
Actual coins at yard or garage sales would surprise me. I think many people have a sense that old coins are "worth something" so they probably get them checked out or just keep them. I can't count the number of times I've seen people, obviously non-collectors, at coin shows or coin shops bringing in old coins insisting that they're valuable. Typically they're not in great shape or not rare and a melee ensues over the low or no price the dealer quotes. Maybe following that episode someone may yard sale them. And of course exceptions always happen. So it's always worth checking. But if I came across a real rarity at a sale I'd probably tell the sellers. I would feel awful blatantly ripping someone off. If they didn't care, then I would buy it but try to give them extra for it. But something tells me I'll never actually experience this dillema.
Good points ewomack, I'd be thrilled to even find old common date coins for a relative bargain though, I love owning coins, but the thrill of the hunt/find is personally my favorite part of collecting.
Absolutely this. At the odd boot or yard sale I have stopped at, coin prices seem to be hugely inflated. A little knowledge and a go on Google seems to make the knocked about and worn coin worthy of top price.
I agree with what Mad said, the hunt is what makes it fun I just got a coin I've been searching years for. The feeling of success is awesome.
I take the back roads to and from work and would occasionally stop in at a yard sale, especially estate sales. I asked at one sale and she said that they were just sold. Another lady said that there were some old foreign coins still on Grandpa's desk. Turns out they were 3 half dimes and 2, 3 cent coins, which of course I purchased. Nothing great, but fun.
Half dimes and 2 and 3 cent coins.... Nice finds! On warm weekends I take the roundabout route home as well, hoping I'll find grandpa's old stash
On another forum, very recently, a guy scored a 3-leg buff for $50 at a yard sale. Everyone was saying it was an AU/unc slider from his photos and he had high hopes. He got it back a couple of weeks ago from anacs I think and it came back AU details from what can only be a very light cleaning. He was bummed as he thought he had a couple thousand dollar score. We had to cheer him up and remind him that he only paid $50 for an $800 coin
Wow @Cascade , that's nuts. If I were him id be stoked by the simple fact that it is real. From what I've read that's a heavily counterfeited coin. If the prior owner only knew what they had lol
