Buying Coins on eBay

eBay is an excellent resource for finding bargains on rare coins of all types. You should start your research with “Advanced Search” feature located on the search results page. This feature allows you to make coin searches based on Country and other criteria. For example, if you are looking for rare coins in the Houston, Texas area, you may restrict your search only to a specific area and deal with available coin sellers. You should also specify a maximum and minimum price you’re willing to pay for a rare coin, offer free shipping; only accept PayPal and other options.

When buying a coin, you should look for trustworthy coin sellers who have many positive feedbacks and if possible no negative feedbacks. If a negative feedback is listed, you should read it. Most active sellers who have made a lot of sales have a few negative feedbacks, even if they’re always being honest. There’s always the possibility of an unpleasant customer or con artist showing up and it doesn’t mean those sellers are at fault. Most coin sellers on eBay are scrupulous about coins grading and offering good pictures so you may judge the offer for yourself. Be cautious and very suspicious if a coin seller has a feedback score under 90 percent.

You shouldn’t expect to buy a coin at fifty percent or even twenty-five percent discount, it’s plainly unrealistic.

If you want to have a pleasant experience with your eBay purchases, read the following tips and you’d never have to be concerned about your eBay rare coin purchases again.

1. It is recommended to buy from Power Sellers. These people are already well established in eBay community and care about their customers and reputation.

2. If you choose not to buy from Power Seller or a coin seller with feedback number lower than 200, you should check their latest sold items (are they rare coins?) and when the seller is registered with eBay. If a seller has been around eBay for 1-2 months, you might just find a scam.

3. If possible find a coin auction with “No reserve price”. It means you don’t have to bid up to “normal” price on the coin, and you have better chance in landing an excellent deal on a rare coin.

4. Examine through auction listing and read Return policy. You should make sure that the seller gives you at least a week to review coin and determine if the coin was correctly advertised.

5. A useful eBay feature that not all eBay members seem to know about is a feature known as “Want It Now”. Just click the “Want It Now” link located at the bottom of the search page and you may post an ad for a specific coin you are looking for. It is a free service.

It is also strongly recommended to use the “contact seller” feature to get specific information from a seller; it helps you to get a better sense on their familiarity with the item and most importantly, their honesty. If you get vague answers, don’t deal with the seller.

Buying Collector Coins 101

Before you can go running off to purchase your gold coins you should know a little bit about them.

Dirt and grease from your fingers can scratch or tarnish your gold coins so avoid unnecessary touching or wear gloves. Exposure to air oxidizes metal causing the color to change, so place the coins in protective sleeves.

You should decide what types of coins you will collect. Do you want to collect rare gold and silver coins, common everyday coins, coins from other countries, or ancient coins dating back to the 1800′s.

Dealers are a good source of information as well as coins. They can help you spot a fake, help you determine if a price is too high or a great deal, and are more likely to hear about rare coins that are for sale.

You will need to find a place to buy your coins at a reasonable cost. Consult with other long time collectors and see who they buy from.

There are far too many types of coins to collect for any one person to know them all. Instead find someone who specializes in the specific type of coins you are after.

Sometimes the minting institution will change its minting methods or revive old methods. You will need to keep up with these details as they will help you spot a fake.

* Coins can be unsellable during the years it takes for them to gain value.

The following places and steps will help you get the coins you want for your collection.

Go local

There are coins shops in almost every state across the U.S. Visiting your local shops will be a convenient source of coins. Flip through your local phone book to find the shops closest to you. Going into one of these shops will give you the chance to carefully examine the coins you are interested in even if you don’t buy them. The experts and other collectors you find in the store can also be a great resource as they offer you their knowledge and advice. Be careful of the prices as sometimes the stock of not so rare coins may be low in these shops which will lead to higher asking prices than other resources will charge.

Auctions

You can also go to coin auctions in person or online. This can be a great way for you to get your coins. Learn the rules and practices of the particular auction before get there. Be sure to set a maximum price in your mind before the auction starts so you don’t get swept up in the competition to get the coin and pay too much.

Buying coins by mail

Buying coins in the mail can be very practical and convenient. Coins dealers that sell through the mail usually don’t have high building and maintenance costs and pass this savings to you. Be aware of the dealers’ reputation, and return policies. You don’t want to buy form someone with a bad reputation or someone that doesn’t make refunds on damaged or fake coins. Immediately inspect your coins upon arrival for damage and authenticity.

Final thoughts:

* Do your research and look for the best coins available.

* Keep an eye out for those very rare coins. They show up when you least expect it.

* Have gold coins appraised by a gold expert to keep you from over paying or overcharging.

* Be careful buying coins online as there are fakes out there waiting to take your money.

Coin Collectors Guide To Knowing Where To Buy Coins

Coin collecting has been a hobby for many people since practically the invention of money. Millions of people are involved in the collecting, trading, and selling of premium coins and those rare, “special” coins from thousands of years ago. One of the big problems for new coin collectors is where to find these types of coins.

Check Your Local Coin Shop

A quick check in your local phone book, or an Internet search, can help you locate the nearest coin shop in your area. Most of the time these shops are involved in collecting of many kinds. If you see any type of collectors or hobby shop give them a call and see if they deal in coins also.

Most coin shop operators have connections that you can use to exploit other dealers and/or places where you can locate These shops also have special nights where you can bring some of your coins and trade, show off, and even make deals for new ones. Think of your local shop as the way to get to know people in your area who enjoy the same coin collecting hobby you do.

One drawback in dealing with a local coin shop is that they sometimes elevate the price of their coins in order to make a profit themselves. Make sure you check the price guides and other sources to make sure you are not getting a bad deal.

Check Out Coin Auctions

Several times throughout the year, and in different areas of the country, there are coin auctions held. These auctions are usually to sell off very rare coins, or pieces from an estate where the owners have deceased or just want to liquidate.

Coin collectors who are looking into auctions should go in armed with the most up to date information they can. Also, keep in mind that these auctions are grounds where aggressive collectors will go after pieces they really want. Knowing how much coins are worth, and knowing how to keep control of your emotions will help you a great deal when buying coins through coin auctions.

Check Out Internet Options

Searching for coins through the Internet brings with it both great options and also great precautions. Coin collectors can search through Internet auction sites like Ebay.com to locate coins, but you must know the exact condition. You are practically buying sight unseen so precautions should be taken.

Also, Internet forums are fantastic places to not only search for coins but also to build connections with other coin collectors. These connections can be instrumental in helping you find other places where you can enjoy your hobby of coin collecting.