Trusted vendors? 1 1

[Eric Perry]

* * * This is not a buy/sell/trade post.  I'm just looking for info * * *

I'm getting back into collecting after about 15 years away from the hobby.  My previous experience was mostly limited to saving interesting coins I picked up as change.  I'm not worried about the authenticity what I found back then.  They're mostly lower grade examples of common coins; think wheat pennies and the occasional silver dime/quarter.  Nothing spectacular; however, great for filling holes in a Whitman folder.

As I pick up collecting again, I'm trying to figure out which online vendors are trusted sources for a few specific types of coins:

• Wheat pennies, graded: 1931-S; 1914-D; 1909-S; and 1909-S V.D.B (not high-grade...F to VF or so)
• Wheat pennies, ungraded, semi-key dates (1910-S, 1911-S, etc.)
• "Junk silver" rolls of dimes, quarters, and half dollars

So, basically, I'm looking to finish the wheat penny collection and pick up some junk silver.  Which online vendors (or options, such as eBay or the forums here) are good options?  My main priority is avoiding fake or altered coins.

(I realize the answers may depend on which coins we're talking about...eBay may be fine for graded coins but a nightmare for junk silver, etc.)

[EagleRJO]

I would stick with larger reputable dealers like Ampex, Littleton, MCM, Northeast, JD, etc.  I have had good experiences with these dealers (mostly just bullion coins from JD), except Littleton can be a little pricy.  I would also avoid sites like eBay and Etsy like the plague, except for maybe graded coins from eBay.

[Eric Perry]

On 7/30/2023 at 10:40 PM, EagleRJO said:

I would stick with larger reputable dealers like Ampex, Littleton, MCM, Northeast, JD, etc.  I have had good experiences with these dealers (mostly just bullion coins from JD), except Littleton can be a little pricy.  I would also avoid sites like eBay and Etsy like the plague, except for maybe graded coins from eBay.

Thanks for the reply.

I've heard of Littleton.  The others are new names to me.  I'll check them out.

[Coinbuf]

I would avoid Littleton and Ampex, imo their prices are retail+ or higher.   For slabbed/certified copper cents, two cent pieces, and buffalo nickels I highly recommend AngelDees.  Link   Andy does tend to focus on the high grade coins (as most dealers seem to) but he does have some select lower circulated graded coins too.   He is one of the top Lincoln specialist dealers that I know.   For raw coins if you can find a local dealer that you like and trust I have found that to be good source in the past.

Edited July 31 by Coinbuf

[powermad5000]

Hello and welcome back to collecting!

I too would avoid Littleton as their prices to me are above FMV (Fair Market Value). To me, a lot of the big names (Gov Mint, Apmex, Danbury Mint) I would avoid. Not for reasons of the coins being fakes, but just for the general category you describe as your target. The big names are going to mark up their cull coins as well and there is no reason to pay higher premiums for such circulated pieces. Especially when with patience you can still pull Lincoln Wheats out of cash register change for $0.01.

I agree with @Coinbuf and I think if you are looking for specific dates, some of your local coin shops will be your best friend in this case. Since you are not looking for high MS specimens most dealers would have some inventory of this stuff in the grades you are looking for probably stuffed in boxes that they got stuck with in buying out a collectors full collection and would love to make a deal to get it out of their inventory. Think not total junk, but not something everyone coming through the door is asking for, so they will be happy to move such pieces and probably also make you a good deal if you buy a bunch at a time. 

I wouldn't be worried about counterfeits of any of these until you get to key dates in the series (1909 S VDB Lincoln Wheat comes to mind). Counterfeiters are more looking to make a quick buck by fooling someone with a key date and then disappearing into thin air once they have a suckers cash in hand who thinks they just got a super rare coin for a great deal. Although never out of the realm of possibility, I haven't seen any fakes at all of high mintage low grade coins that would only be worth $1.00 or less in the marketplace unless they have been vice jobs and they are trying to advertise a damaged coin as a mint error.

Since you are returning to the hobby, be aware there is a new breed of basic scammer that makes a YouTube video about a damaged coin or an intentionally altered coin or a non DDO coin and claims it to be some unique super rare find one of a kind error or undiscovered variety. We see it come across these forums all the time and it is worthless damaged junk or simply mint production quality control issues but nothing special.

[EagleRJO]

For the AngelDee's site @Coinbuf referenced it looks like they have some good prices on slabbed coins from a quick look at a few Lincoln cents.  But for slabbed coins I find I get the best deals bidding or making offers on them at sites like Great Collections or eBay as I am pretty patient waiting for a good price.

However, be very careful where you by raw coins, and for those I would stick to more reputable LCS's or larger online dealers with good return policies, even though it might be at a slight premium.  Even then, at least know the basics on evaluating those coins (counterfeits, grades & possible cleaning).

[JT2]

On 7/30/2023 at 11:10 PM, Coinbuf said:

I highly recommend AngelDees.

I'm a second to the @Coinbuf  Andy is one of the foremost experts on small change.  1, 2, 3, 5 Cent coins.  as for ungraded Northeast is good.  Coast to Coast and or L&C have all been really good for me.

[zadok]

...the most beneficial avenue for u in the areas in which u want to collect, would be attend any n all local coin shows that u can in ur local area, if possible,...those coins abound in the smaller shows n u would gain invaluable experience in learning to grade the coins urself not to mention the interaction with dealers n other collectors...it would enhance ur collecting experiences exponentially....