For those of you on a limited budget, and for new collectors of coins, a good resource for finding some great deals is in your local coin shop. Most coin shops, or business' that buy and sell gold and silver jewelry or coins, have a discount box, or half off box, they place coins that are not selling, into at a discount of their asking price. Some examples of what I have found Proof Kennedy Halves, SMS Kennedy Halves, Proof Washingtons, decent looking Buffalo nickels, a 1960 and 1962 proof Jefferson nickels. All total $78 worth of proof coins for $39. Check them out and be willing to spend some time searching. You never know what you'll find lurking in a discount/half off box at the local coin shop. DC
This is so true after the shop dealer becomes familar with me. I have three shops in my area (all about 90 minutes away in different directions). Two are lovely and one is useless. The two that do the most business with me, also sale other items such as firearms, and ammo; antiques. I try to go in when the shop man is not busy, which makes seem like less of a pest when I ask "what's in that box?" The little coin shop is so much more fun than shopping by internet or catalogue. Thanks for posting. I suppose I could have just typed in "ditto."
I will mention that most coin cases, you will have to ask the owner (or person in charge) to show you the "discount box." Most of the shops I deal with keep them behind the counter, sometimes even hidden in a cabinet.
Another way to get deals to keep your focus narrow and become an expert. For example, suppose you decide to only collect Mercury Dimes in Fine condition. Then you need to know exactly when a Merc is a VG and when it is a Fine, and you need to know what errors or varieties might be in that series. Lastly, you really need to know what the *REAL* market prices are. If you know all these things, then you know when you have a bargain. You may find a coin listed and priced as a Vg that is really a Fine. You may be able to cherrypick a variety. Or even if the coin is graded correctly, you may recognize that it is still underpriced....(i.e., the guide understates what the real market price is). Steve
Dude! It's like you read my biography. That is exactly what I did on my first set...I wanted a Merc collection from F-XF. Spent hours upon hours at the local coin shop shifting through the dimes. Eventually got to the point of being able to distinguish rather decently between the grades and eventually put a set together. I think it's more fun that way, becoming an expert, one set at a time. Granted, I know virtually nothing else in regards to other denominations other than Mercs or Roosevelts, but to each his own. I enjoy it and that is all that matters...current project, AU-UNC Franklins.
You will find most coin shops are there to make a profit, So you will have To be diligent to find the best deals
