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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;gxseries, post: 26401513, member: 4373&quot;]Been to a few coin shows and talked to dealers over the years. It looks like times have changed. </p><p><br /></p><p>In the past, dealers would have large varieties to offer at good price. (at down under). Numismatics were more affordable especially precious metals. International postage? You could buy huge pound lots over from the US and it wouldn&#039;t break the bank. </p><p><br /></p><p>If I can recall correctly here are some numbers about 2 decades ago:</p><p>Silver: 5-7USD/oz</p><p>Gold: 500USD/oz</p><p>Platinum: 1000USD/oz </p><p>Palladium: 300USD/oz</p><p><br /></p><p>I recall buying pound lot over from the US and postage was around 20-30 dollars. Today something of that weight might cost more than 4-5 times! </p><p><br /></p><p>Getting back to topic - choices were more plentiful and there were more choices of precious metals. Fast forward today, you&#039;d hear stories of dealers having to send precious metals to refineries during tough times. Some were in buckets, if not drums. Who knows how much were melted over time. Today&#039;s selection are a lot more modern mint base metals. Or if there are any precious metals, it&#039;s usually silver bullion and these are now kept in cases. Sometimes gold but not as vast choices as it used to be. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sadly, it seems thefts are on the rise and local enforcements really don&#039;t care much or can&#039;t do much about it. I&#039;ve heard of cases where dealers had to close down as they were robbed in their own shops (!) and now only do their commence online or give it up completely. </p><p><br /></p><p>Even online commence are not cheap - with all the nonsense tax, tariff, raising prices, inflation, counterfeits, items going missing, etc, it&#039;s starting to seem like the good old days of collecting things on the cheap is over. </p><p><br /></p><p>What is your experience like? Please feel free to share your experience.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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