Every now and then I visit a local antique shop that usually has a few silver dollars for sale. Normally there isn't anything interesting and I figure someone is just slowly liquidating unwanted coins from a collection through the shop. Today, I picked up an 1894-o Morgan dollar in about VF condition for $15.95. The toning is a little uneven but looks original. So for me, today was a nice day.
Wow - congrats... anytime I've been to an antique store the coins look AG but are priced AU ... good for you!
Cloudsweeper, Congrats on the great purchase! It's a really good day when you can pick up a $60+ Morgan for only $15.95! Frank
Most of the coins are usually well worn, and many are cleaned. Occasionally one falls through the cracks like this one did and I'll buy it. I know that the owner of the store knows a little about coins and normally doesn't put out anything of real value, but he's an antique guy, not a coin collector, so he makes mistakes. The help doesn't know anything about coins at all. I was surprised that this one was there. He'll replace these coins in a short while and I'll go back again to see what new stuff he has.
Nice find Cloudsweeper. I wouldnt mind running into deals like that at our local antique shops. Ours are all overpriced on everything they sell.
There was a antique shop in town with a 1921 morgan in AU/cleaned. I asked how much, the reply i got shocked me.... $45.00!! I sad its only worth about 10, but she refused to listen.
There's one like that in Volo, IL. I was there recently and the closest thing I found to a deal was a roll of mercury dimes in G to VG condition for $45 (spread out for display). As I was getting ready to ask them to open the case to get them, I see the little consignment tag description, "36 silver dimes". Not a horrible deal, but no where near as good as a full roll for the same price so I passed.
Very Nice Find Cloudsweeper99 I have the same issue as indianhead People around here can be very cheap if they are buying and the sellers try their hardest to overcharge for everything! Everyone thinks what they have is worth 10X the value - especially in the antique shops. It makes me wonder how any local stores can stay in business...
This particular shop continuously has a small number of silver dollars for sale in one of the cases, all for the same price, so I presume that someone is slowly liquidating the coins that they don't want. This appeared to be a mistake by someone, to my benefit. Most of the coins appear to be dipped before being put on display. The fact that this coin had original toning made it stand out.
seems like the majority of the coins that I have seen in Antique shops have been professionally "restored" using a Floor Buffer or something. On the copper ones they told me a secret to keeping them pretty.. Use a pencil eraser. DOH...
The thing about antique shops is, don't walk in waving a big wad of money, because then thats all they'll see and won't even attempt to make any deals with you. I visit several in my area regularly, and whenever I find something I always ask to see it. If it's priced higher than I like, I hand it back and say I like it, but I only have $(fill in here) to spend on it. 9 times out of 10 they'll make a deal to sell right then and there. Most shops are mom+pop places that would rather take a little less than have it sit around. Guy~
