This has probably been done before to death but I'm looking to start purchasing Silver Eagle Proofs. Basically, we all know there's a lot of crap out there and I was wondering if anyone had a preferred website to order from. I'm not really looking to go to ebay or amazon. Obviously want a site that sells them for pretty cheap, accompanies the coin with the mint's box and certificate of authenticity, etc. Any help would be appreciated as I am very new to the hobby and investing. Therefore I'm pretty unfamiliar with the different websites out there. Thanks.
Alright thanks a lot. Provident Metals looks like a winner. I'll save all four for future references, though.
Here is a winning strategy. Buy this year's proof ASE in quantity. If you can afford five to ten, that is great. Cull out the bad ones until you get UltraCameo 69 or 70 coins. Then you either sit until next year or find local sources with other years. Take your magnifying glass and offer to trade older years for the new releases. Once this year's ASE is no longer being sold, it becomes a seller's market. Especially now you can buy and sell near melt, with some gold and silver dealers having an excess of high grade coins, ready to turn a modest profit. Most of them are happy to get the latest and greatest, and you can work, one year at a time, toward catching up. Be careful to put up enough of this year-whatever it is. 2010 suddenly are not available from the US Mint, and price margins are around 15-30 dollars on EBAY already. Moreover, having seen this year's ASE, it may be the first of a new proof manufacture process- and thus more valuable later. 201 is a great year for great ASE product.
I would avoid sending away for the coins you need. Don't you have a reputable coin shop in your area? They are generally less expensive and you get the oppurtunity to hold and look at the coin before you purchase it and usually have several to choose from of the same date. I just bought a 2010 Silver Eagle Proof, in the box w/certificate of authenticity for $50.00. I believe websites will charge more plus you have shipping costs. Just a thought. Hope this helps. And welcome to the hobby! It is so much fun and exciting. And you will meet some really nice people.
