Two questions for the forum, 1) Has anyone had good luck buying coins from pawn shops? 2) I recently relocated to Houston. Can anyone recommend a good shop?
Drusus is in Houston, he'll be able to help you get numismatically settled in, I am sure. The only thing I buy at pawn shops is an occasional guitar
Some of my best bargains on coins have been at auctions. I have even bought silver at below face on several occassions at one of the local auction barns. A large portion of my winnings are in the 25 to 50% range of the values shown in Coin Values magazine.
I wouldnt suggest a pawn shop. It matters what you are into as to what Houston offers. If you are into US coins...there are several places around town with a million US coins and mexican coins . Anything else is slim pickins. If you like I will PM you the few shops I have been to. The coin shows here are better as you get a bigger variety. But like I said, if its US coins you like, you have your pick. There is also the Houston coin club if you like, they sell and trade coins at meetings I believe. http://houstoncoinclub.org/
I have visited 3 coin shops in Houston. All 3 are ok. I don't know if its advertizing to say the names so I'll stick with locations. The 3 areas of Houston with coin shops I have been to are Clear Lake, Bellaire, and Humble. Since Houston is so spread out try the one closest to you 1st. I buy most of my coins from the coin shows that come to town. It seems like they have shows every other month. I don't buy really expensive stuff so if you do then your opinion of these shops may be different. Some more Houston area coin clubs are below. Bellaire Coin Club http://www.ccatech.com/bellairecc/ Pasadina Coin Club http://pasadenacoinclub.org/ Welcome to Houston
Drusus and Greyford, Thanks for your replies. If you are so inclined, please PM me the names of a good shops you recommend. I'm into US and Canada, and considering getting into English. I'm currently in the Humble area, but will be moving closer to downtown in the next year or so.
I will PM you a few coin shops when I get home tonight that sell US, Mexico and Canada for sure. Anything else they might have like world, historical, tokens, medals, or ancients will probably be coincidental. Greyford has it right when he says that the shows that come to Houston (like the money show and the Bellaire coin show) are probably going to have a much wider variety...I have been to both shows frequently and always find great deals and coins from all over. I am in west Houston close to Katy and there are no shops at all there...I am sure you now have a good idea of how spread out Houston is...its a road trip to get from one side of Houston to the other so its a pain going to these shops and not finding anything you want. But if you like US, all shops here sell US. and I didnt say it before but welcome to the Houston
You will find that others have different opinions, but as a general rule buying coins at pawn shops, flea markets and yard sales is the most risky thing you can do. They are typically full of problem coins, fake coins, altered coins and your basic junk coins. Now if you really know your coins, by all means have at it. But if you don't - stay away, far away.
Can't help you with #2 but about buying coins...First you must know your coin. If you know all there is to know about it then anywhere is a good place to buy as long as you can put it in your hand roll it and look at every speck of the coin. If you do not know what you are buying then I would suggest if you want to buy first buy PCGS graded coins (personal opinion) and you can buy them anywere. For raw coins though you must put your trust and assets in a persons hands you can trust.
