subject: Searching For Coin Collecting Dealers [print this page] Coin collecting (numismatics) can be not only a fascinating hobby that can teach you all sorts of interesting history from a new angle; it can also be a way to make a little extra money. And in these hard economic times, that's nothing to sneeze at. Especially if you're interested in rare coin collecting, dealers whom you can trust are an indispensible part of the process.
Not only can they serve as a source of both coins and sales; because of their experience and up-to-date knowledge of coin values and markets, they can give you the accurate advice you need to get the most from your coin collection, both in terms of enjoyment and value.
Access to Coin Collecting Dealers
If you have a local dealer that you've developed a good relationship with, that's great. But with the rise of the Internet, gone are the days when you have to relay on a single dealer's opinion of your coin or the price you should settle on, whether buying or selling. A quick search on keywords like "coin collecting," "rare coin dealers," or "numismatics" will turn up a host of links to dealers, collectors, suppliers, and other important sources for expanding, preserving, or selling your collection.
If you are looking for a dealer, ideally you'd like to find one that offers a variety of services: appraisal, supplies, buying, selling, brokerage, and general information. If you specialize on a particular time period, country of issue, or type of coin, you might want to try to find a dealer with expertise in the particulars of your area of interest.
Working with the Best
Unfortunately, as in almost area of life, there are good coin collecting dealers... and there are the not-so-good ones. If you are considering working with a dealer-especially online, where reputation is more difficult to verify-try to obtain testimonials or recommendations from former or existing customers.
You might also want to look for coin collecting dealers who are members of an industry association like the American Numismatics Association or even the Better Business Bureau. As with any negotiable or valuable asset, once your coins leave your possession, you lose control over them.
Therefore, it's important to know as much as possible about any dealer to whom you are considering surrendering your coins. Often, the dealers who advertise the tantalizing deals are also the ones trying to make a quick buck, rather than the ones who have established a well-deserved reputation for fairness, honesty, and accuracy.
