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Coin Question – How to Successfully Interact With a Coin Dealer

Coin Question

How to Ask a Coin Question by Doug WinterRareGoldCoins.com ……
CoinWeek Content Partner

A day rarely passes without a non-collector calling me or emailing me with a question (or questions) about a coin or a collection of coins that they own. Some of these interactions are disasters from the get-go. Here are some of my suggestions on how to ask me about your coin(s) in a way that works for both of us.

Tell me your name. Don’t begin the conversation by immediately asking your question; that’s just rude. I’d suggest you start as follows: “Good Morning, my name is Jim Smith and I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about a coin I own.” Your last name is handy unless you are someone like Madonna or Prince; then you don’t need to let me know.

Be polite. You wouldn’t call a random doctor and bark questions at him about your aching back, would you? We’ll get along a lot better if you are friendly and appreciative and don’t act like a jerk.

Be prepared. If you want to know the value of a specific coin, let me know exactly what the coin is. The quickest way to lose my interest is to not have at least some of the details prepared.

Along the same line, be organized if you have a collection. Present your holdings with a spreadsheet that clearly lists the coins you own. In other words, do the heavy lifting so that I don’t have to. Your inventory should list the date and denomination of each coin (unless it’s part of a large set), as well as the grade and grading service if it has been encapsulated by a third party (i.e., PCGS or NGC).

If you send me an image, make sure it is clear. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times someone has sent me an image and it is blurry or dark or way too small. A good cellphone will invariably have a good quality camera. Practice using it before you send a photo and send yourself an image of the coin before you send it to me. If you can’t see the coin clearly, the chances are that I can’t either.

Don’t be greedy. My time–not to mention your time–is valuable and I may not be willing or able to spend 10 minutes with you going over a long list of coins. It’s best if you cut to the chase and tell me your star coins first.

Choose the right dealer to ask. A dealer such as me who specializes in American coins is probably not the right person to ask about your ancient coins. If you’ve selected the wrong dealer, politely ask me if I can recommend another dealer who might know the answer.

Don’t be combative. Your 1804 silver dollar or your 1943 copper penny is almost certainly not genuine, even if it’s been in your family for generations. If you insist that it’s real, go ahead and send it in to PCGS or NGC yourself. If you are absolutely certain that your 1804 dollar is real, you don’t need me to authenticate it, do you?

Don’t send SCREAMING emails. I automatically delete emails sent to me which use all capital letters.

Don’t tell me that another coin that is “just like” your worn 1881-S silver dollar is listed on eBay for $150,000. That listing is insane and if I can’t convince you of this, then I will think you are as well.

As a retail dealer, I welcome calls, emails, and texts from novices about their coins. I have purchased some of my best coins or collections from people just like you who inherited pieces from their parents or grandparents, and if you follow some of the suggestions I made, we are likely to have a mutually beneficial interaction.

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About Doug Winter

Doug_Winter2Doug has spent much of his life in the field of numismatics; beginning collecting coins at the age of seven, and by the time he was 10 years old, buying and selling coins at conventions in the New York City area.

In 1989, he founded Douglas Winter Numismatics, and his firm specializes in buying and selling choice and rare US Gold coins, especially US gold coins and all branch mint material.

Acknowledged as one of the leading specialized numismatic firms, Doug is the award-winning author of over a dozen numismatic books and a recognized expert on US Gold. His knowledge and an exceptional eye for properly graded and original coins have made him one of the most respected figures in the numismatic community and a sought-after dealer by collectors and investors looking for professional personalized service, a select inventory of impeccable quality, and fair and honest pricing. Doug is also a major buyer of all US coins and is always looking to purchase collections both large and small. He can be reached at (214) 675-9897.

Doug has been a contributor to the Guidebook of United States Coins (also known as the “Redbook”) since 1983, Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, Q. David Bowers’ Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Andrew Pollock’s United States Pattern and Related Issues

In addition, he has authored 13 books on US Gold coins including:
  • Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint: 1839-1909
  • Gold Coins of the Carson City Mint: 1870 – 1893
  • Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint: 1838-1861
  • Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861
  • The United States $3 Gold Pieces 1854-1889
  • Carson City Gold Coinage 1870-1893: A Rarity and Condition Census Update
  • An Insider’s Guide to Collecting Type One Double Eagles
  • The Connoisseur’s Guide to United States Gold Coins
  • A Collector’s Guide To Indian Head Quarter Eagles
  • The Acadiana Collection of New Orleans Coinage
  • Type Three Double Eagles, 1877-1907: A Numismatic History and Analysis
  • Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861: A Numismatic History and Analysis
  • Type Two Double Eagles, 1866-1876: A Numismatic History and Analysis

Finally, Doug is a member of virtually every major numismatic organization, professional trade group and major coin association in the US.

 

Doug Winter
Doug Winterhttps://www.raregoldcoins.com
Doug Winter founded Douglas Winter Numismatics (DWN) in 1985. The nationally renowned firm specializes in buying and selling rare United States gold coins. He has written over a dozen books, including the standard references on Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans gold coinage, and Type 1 Liberty Head Double Eagles. Douglas has also contributed to the A Guidebook of United States Coins, Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States and Colonial Coins, Q. David Bowers’ Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars, and Andrew Pollock’s United States Pattern and Related Issues. He is a member of the PNG, the ANA, the ANS, the NLG, CAC, PCGS, and NGC - among other professional affiliations. Contact Doug Winter at [email protected].

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7 COMMENTS

  1. I love being a coin collector that’s what I can call myself now but I’m doing something wrong because one day or another I’d like to get a return on them you know and I like for anybody to be glad to teach me or tell me what I am doing wrong instead of me going and taking them to Walmart and cash them in when I need a little money sometimes I’d like to see a little return thank you for letting me vent to whoever thanks

  2. GoodMorning Sir. My Name is Terrell Williams, I have a 1879s George Morgan Silver Dollar Coin, has Good Definition, Real Coin weighs 27.6 ,Mint State San Francisco, 90%silver 10%copper. Still see the Strains of hair clearly, and isn’t in Bad Shape for a 142 year old Coin.

  3. good afternoon,would like some nfo please, i just got a penny in some change, looks like it sliped in the die when stamped or whatever its called
    any wyathe face lincoln side is almost off the copper , the back is good ,
    can you help please

  4. I have a 2022 Sally ride quarter with a unique scar looking line below her right eye and was wondering if there were any more like it or if I have the only one so far no

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