Coin Hunting Etiquette

Good morning I'd appreciate help with this because I'm still a coin hunting newbie and don't want to take advantage (and I overthink things).

I have a stamp and coin shop near me that lets me take home sleeves of world coins and even lock boxes full of them to go through and pick out what I want. He gives me his take on the worth of all of them before I leave (and it's low). His shop is primarily stamps.
Past times I've come back and only bought a handful.

Is that rude? By trusting me with it to take home, should I be buying the lot of them? I honestly don't want to be saddled with the others tho.
Thanks

 

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I have no idea but that sounds like a lot of fun and an outstanding shop owner.

 

I really appreciate how much he trusts me with them. He really doesn't care much aobut world coins except for the bulk silver or gold value.

 

I don't think it is rude at all. That is quite the trusting relationship you built with that shop keeper. I believe you are doing exactly what he wants you to be doing.

 

What a great linked story! 2 1877 Indian Head pennies for $8, lol! Geez, the only world coins I have any interest in are Sub-Saharan African pre-1970 and that's mostly because the old Rhodesian pennies and half-pennies with giraffes and elephants amuse me. Maybe I should reconsider!

 

In these covid times any thoughts on where you can acquire large quantities to sort through? Ebay? Any online dealers bother with that stuff?

 

My hat off to you, @Trish, just for asking the question. How refreshing in this age of "Me, mine, my." I suspect the reason you are allowed to take coins home is because he knows you are the type of person who will not rip him off. You have a real win-win deal going on there.

Steve

 

Thank you for that. I do have a problem when I find a great coin-like in this lot I found an 1806 Great British farthing, better than AU, with the incused dot and I just buy it like the rest of the coins. It feels a bit dishonest because he doesn't know what he has....

 

Good idea, thank you. I'll give him a gift certificate to the local eatery to avoid any confusion. That would really help my conscience a lot.
Side note-- I think the research required for the finding is just as fun or more because of the learning, as the ultimate discovery.

 

I would not buy coins from the shop out of obligation if I didn't really want them. That doesn't help anyone and there really is no standard for how many you should buy once you start down that road. Buy the ones you want to buy.

And, since it is Christmas, maybe take a nice gift. I find that coin shop owners have a fondness for deserts high in calories; or maybe a nice bottle of a favorite beverage.

 

Not rude in any way but it is extremely trusting in his behalf. If the dealer is pleased with what you buy and if your happy why change anything?

 

I'm a silent CT member. I read posts, try to learn, and, at the most "like" something. But your post encouraged me to "break tradition", lol. I totally agree with the comments as to your character for even asking. Thank you! I also agree to only buy what you want, and something like a gift certificate to show your appreciation, now and then, a great idea. You have a special relationship with this dealer, I understand you not wanting to take advantage of this relationship. I don't believe you would be able to do that. You don't "have that in you", I don't think? But, I believe this dealer is basically, a good person, just like you. He (or she) is going into this with his eyes wide open. I don't think he expects you to buy anything that you don't want. I believe he is probably just as caring as you, as to not take advantage of you, either. And, I think the last thing he would want, would you buy out of obligation. I think he would want you to be honest to yourself, as to what you are interested in, just as you are honest to him, returning all that you have been entrusted with. I'm 73 years old. We did business with a hand shake and our word. Thank you for letting me know that trust in doing business is not dead. Blessings, Kenneth

 

Here's my take. You have a great relationship with the shop owner and shouldn't risk it. He runs a business for profit, so be a good customer and buy some stuff when it makes sense for you. If you feel he's asking too much for a coin, tell him what you think and why, (cleaned, dinged, damaged, etc). The same if he's asking too little. Strengths the relationship and the trust. I'm sure he will appreciate the feedback and at the same time you're setting the benchmarks for the value you see in a particular coin.

I have a similar relationship with a couple pawn shops that also sell coins and currency. Both graded and raw. I've never asked them to take something home to evaluate, but at this point, I'm sure they would let me. Or at least, allow me to return the item if I decide I don't want it for a refund. They're knowledgeable but somewhat limited and uses the grey sheet to price coins to me. Often below grey sheet or at wholesale. Of course, they still make a profit and I walk out with a deal. They will also set coins aside for me to look at and let's me know when they will have something coming out for sale that they think I might be interested in. Both great sources for me. One recently offered me a 1883 CC Morgan, raw, but UNC. I passed, already have several in GSA holders both raw and graded, but let him know he had it priced too low for the condition. He really appreciated it, looked it up and found I was right. I then purchased a raw 1835 Capped Bust Half. He came down on the asking price by $40. It would grade "VF Details" but I won't bother sending it in.

Good hunting.