Hello everyone. As a new collector, I have bought all my coins thus far from three storefront dealers or ebay. This auction is coming up near my home. http://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/567564.html Having limited time and money, would a new collector be better to attend an auction like this, or a Pittsburgh area coin show-like the two this weekend? I am buying very carefully, right now because I have so much to learn--sticking mostly to stuff like Jefferson war nickels.
Shows are definitely a better way to go if you're looking for low-end (less than a couple of thousand dollars) coins.
I think a newbie is MUCH better off at the shows, because you can meet people and ask lots of questions. Show vis a vis auction... in general they're not mutually exclusive. Many auctions are at shows. Best of both worlds.
Shows, for sure. Don't be in too big of a hurry and look around a lot before you buy. Definitely be like the wise old owl. A wise old owl sat in an oak, The more he heard, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard; Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?
People tend to get carried away at auctions and overbid for something they want. plus, you never know who may be a shill bidding against you to run up the price. Stay away from auctions unless you know actual values of the items and you have the willpower to know when to stop bidding.
Thank you all for the unanimous advice. I will try to make the Pittsburgh show this weekend if time permits and continue my education there.
