I was looking through PNGs dealer list trying to find a mail order source for coins. I haven’t had real good results in the past buying coins I can’t see in advance. Almost all of the dealer web sites listed coins costing in the hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. I can’t spend thousands on a single coin right now and feel I would be wasting the time of one of these dealers asking if they have a 1949-S Roosevelt in AU for my collection. I found the Harlan J. Berk, LTD site and liked what I found. Coins ranging from $15 to a few hundred dollars, good quality pictures of even the lower priced coins, and a professional looking site. I placed a test order for a 1916 Barber dime in XF condition for $20; I hope to have it next week. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about good or bad experiences with this company. I don’t have any local coin shops and my collection has stagnated for a long time because of it. Finding a good mail order dealer would really help me. I would also appreciate any suggested dealers you have had good results with in grading and price. Thanks for helping a guy stuck in the boonies.
I purchased two gold coins from Harlen j Burke back in 1999-2000. The first one was an 1881 10$ liberty in EF for 185.00$, the other was a 1881s 5$ liberty in AU for around 140.00$. Both coins were in the condition advertised and the prices were very fair. All in all a good experiance, the dealer is located in Chicago's loop district. Check out the scans
I would like to hear more feedback on Harlan J. Berk from anyone who has used them. I checked out their website and it is impressive. They carry a wider selection of circulated gold coins than most. The photography is good. The prices are fair for the grades listed, and my untrained eye thinks the grading is reasonable. I normally avoid buying raw coins [ because of that untrained eye ] and would appreciate doing business with a trustworthy internet dealer, if there is any such thing.
http://www.harlanjberk.com/ This is not an endorsement because I've never used their service. Opinions from people who have would be welcome.
My opinion of Harlan J. Berk here on Coin Talk is the same as it is on Coin People, where the same poster asked the same question. Harlan J. Berk is one of the most respected dealers in the United States and name known internationally in numismatics. As board member for the Professional Numismatists Guild (http://www.pngdealers.com) Harlan J. Berk arranged for the purchase and distribution of thousands of State Quarter Boards back in 1999 when the program was lauched. He funds the David R. Cervin Ancient Coin Project for young numismatists. (http://www.money.org/Content/NavigationMenu/ExploretheWorldofMoney/Outreach/young_numismatists.htm) However, as a client, I can assure you that Berk is not really Santa Claus. He knows what the material is worth because he sells only the best. If you buy a Very Fine 1944-P Mercury Dime and pay $1 for it, it will be a nice 44-P, accurately graded, no problems. As a client, I also know that at an ANA convention on a Friday morning, I told him that I would like to see a certain series of coins he did not have on display. He had them Fedexed in for me to look at. I told him how much money I had to spend and what I was looking for generally and he hit the nail on the head. I did not buy everything only because he offered a very full inventory of possibilities for me to choose from. Among the people on his staff are Tom DeLorey and Curtis Clay, two highly respected researchers and writers. http://www.harlanjberk.com/
It doesn't get much better than that. the PNG is highly acclaimed for its very stringent standards for dealers and if he has excelled in that PNG he is very likely trustworthy, since he can't afford to risk his reputation and status in the PNG over a couple of shady deals.
My office is a half block from Harlan Berk's store on N. Clark St. in Chicago. They are an extremely reputable coin and antiquities dealer with a near impeccable reputation. Their coin prices are on the high side compared with other dealers, but that probably reflects their location in downtown Chicago. If you need any further information, feel free to PM or e-mail me.
I've had a lot of good luck with Northeast Numismatics. On many items, they allow you to make an offer and if they don't like it, they will give a counter offer. I've gotten coins from them at very fair prices that have been accurately described, photographed, and graded by them.
Thanks for the feedback on Harlan Berk. I don't mind them asking higher than average prices. I worry a lot more about getting the stated grade for the stated price. I'd rather pay a little more for an AU coin that is really AU than buy an AU coin at a discount price and find out it is EF or VF. This is especially important with circulated gold coins. Grading accuracy and integrity are everything.
I totally agree Cloudsweeper99, which is why I asked the question. Buying raw coins from an honest dealer is worth paying a fair price. I did ask the question on both forums mmarotta. I hope that wasn't bad forum etiquette. I thought I could get a wider range of responses, and people on both sites were interested in hearing more about a reputable dealer.
They seem to be very accurate with their grading. I've spent some time looking through their raw Roosevelt and Mercury dimes, as well as their window displays. If they have a coin in a 2x2 marked as VF-30 or MS-62, you can bet it's a legit VF-30 or MS-62.
I have to throw in one more editorial comment... Harlan Berk sure has a lot of cleaned gold coins for sale at pretty cheap prices, no doubt because they are cleaned. A lot of them aren't much different in price than a regular one ounce gold eagles, except that they are 100+ years older. But I won't buy one because common wisdom says don't buy cleaned coins. I swear I won't. I'm sure having a lot of mental anguish over this decision. All those old gold coins and they have no numismatic value because somebody cleaned them. Ouch. Double-ouch. This cleaning issue is going to give me nightmares -- again.
I got the coin in the mail today. I'm very happy with it and feel the grading was accurate. I'm sure I'll be ordering more coins from Harlan J. Berk. Hope I can get to there store someday.
