Expert: PAPAJACK - 7/9/2008

Question
I was wondering where i can find coins in general in a rural area. I would like to know both where to buy or actually to find coins. Thanks for any info!

 Nick

Answer
Hello Nick,                                

I am not sure what you mean by "where I can find coins in general in a rural area" but here is some information I hope you can use.

I recommend joining a local coin club in the area. They will have lots of coin related events and collectors of all ages.
Some collectors are dealers as well. Also local coin dealers come to the coin club shows buying collectors duplicate coins and selling the coins they have gathered from other people at shows you do not attend.

Second I do recommend buying from the US Mint each year if you are interested in modern coins. TThe prices are least expensive for things like the Commemorative Silver Dollar’s each year and for most of the mint and proof sets.
Buying these at shows on the secondary market will almost always cost more than the mint sells for.

And then there are always coin shops and mail order catalogs.  

If you want help in locating a dealer in your area write me back, give me the nearest large Cities and some postal zip codes. I will refer you to some dealers in your area.

Just keeping batches of coins does not create a collection and the only ones going up in value will be the more rare issue and those in very high grade.
You can borrow a copy of the Redbook or Bluebook titled "A Guide Book of UNITED STATES COINS" (Red Book) by R. S. YEOMAN. This will guide you through the critical information you need to begin evaluating a US Coin collection, the pricing in them is not accurate but can be used to sort out the more valuable coins. These books are released each year and sell new for less than $10, a used one is fine or your library will have one.


Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack