Gun dealers vs. coin dealers...

[Andy Griffith]

I've always known that to actually be in the firearm and related business, you have to be made from "special" stuff. I do not envy anyone in the business for the hours that must be put in and the folks they have to deal with (like myself sometimes ) and I know they must put up with a lot of bull.

However, I've always thought that people strictly in the coin business must be of a little "more special" stuff.

At any rate (trite expression- excuse me ), a new coin shop opened up in town, and I thought I go down and check out his wares while going to Nelson's for some larger pins for the tractor. I decided to take along three BU half Barbers, (all un-slabbed) just to see if he appreciates some more uncommon stuff.

Anyway, he was talking to some other fellers, I pulled out the BU and asked him to tell me what he thought- and he said he gives $6.00 for them and he hardly looked at it. (No, it isn't a copy!) He said for those "common" silver halves that was all he gives. Unfortunately, he wasn't just kidding around- he was tryin' to take me to the cleaners if I would have been an unsuspecting layman!

I just said "Great, at least its worth more than fifty-cents" in a nice, pleasant voice. I calmly bid him and the other gentlemen there good day.

Making a few dollars is one thing, kidding is another- and it was clear that this wasn't a joke or something to break the ice sarcastically- which I can catch onto 99.999% of the time...this was a great way not to gain my trust and business, too bad as he had a few things I might have thought about purchasing. I'll stick with the fellers across the knob- they are honest and treat my right.

Ever had an experience like this? Don't it just grate your...

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I don't think he will be in business very long, unless thats the way people like to be treated these days. But then thats the way Congress treats us. We seem to like it we relect them. Don

 

[boykinlp]

I've always known that to actually be in the firearm and related business, you have to be made from "special" stuff. I do not envy anyone in the business for the hours that must be put in and the folks they have to deal with (like myself sometimes ) and I know they must put up with a lot of bull.

However, I've always thought that people strictly in the coin business must be of a little "more special" stuff.

At any rate (trite expression- excuse me ), a new coin shop opened up in town, and I thought I go down and check out his wares while going to Nelson's for some larger pins for the tractor. I decided to take along three BU half Barbers, (all un-slabbed) just to see if he appreciates some more uncommon stuff.

Anyway, he was talking to some other fellers, I pulled out the BU and asked him to tell me what he thought- and he said he gives $6.00 for them and he hardly looked at it. (No, it isn't a copy!) He said for those "common" silver halves that was all he gives. Unfortunately, he wasn't just kidding around- he was tryin' to take me to the cleaners if I would have been an unsuspecting layman!

I just said "Great, at least its worth more than fifty-cents" in a nice, pleasant voice. I calmly bid him and the other gentlemen there good day.

Making a few dollars is one thing, kidding is another- and it was clear that this wasn't a joke or something to break the ice sarcastically- which I can catch onto 99.999% of the time...this was a great way not to gain my trust and business, too bad as he had a few things I might have thought about purchasing. I'll stick with the fellers across the knob- they are honest and treat my right.

Ever had an experience like this? Don't it just grate your...

For those of us "not in the know" what are they really worth?

 

[Andy Griffith]

For those of us "not in the know" what are they really worth?

Conservatively, $250-750 dollars each. Not much in the realm of coin collecting, but not bad either. Barbers are not usually found in conditions above well worn.

 

[Milton]

Sounds like Atlanta has moved to Blairsville !!!!!!!

 

[Faulkner]

I guess I've never been fortunate enough to step into a decent coin shop. I collect Walking Liberties and I've never been in a dedicated coin shop where I didn't feel like I was about to get taken to the cleaners. Some of you know what I mean, like a gunshop where they talk down to you.

 

[paladin42]

I can get all the coins I want at the bank. Dollar coins only cost me a hundred cents too. The people are nice as well. I must live in a good part of town.

 

[H Richard]

We unfortunately have a "Outdoor sporting goods" store in our city that is kind of like that. They do have a large gun department, probably over 500 guns in stock, mostly new as everyone who has had any dealings won't trade there. They think that .25 cents on the dollar of book value is a "good trade in price" or what they may offer you outright. I used to haunt the local gun store, but when it went out of business, I visit this new one maybe once a month. Everything in the store is about 10% to 20% above anyone else's price. I guess there are enough people out there who have no idea what the value of guns are that will shop there and that's how they stay in business.

 

[DWFAN]

I have been a numismatist since I was 12. Having a paper route during the late 50's and early 60's brought a plethora of mint coinage. A 1909 S VDB penny was not unheard of. Worked pumping gas, another good source. Learning the value of all that didn't happen till later in life, early forties, when I started collecting silver halves, dollars and gold. Then about 2004 the market went nuts and onto guns I went. That worked good until early 2008 and that went nuts. You have to be a big boy now to play that game. Every once in awhile I get lucky but it sure isn't the same anymore. Dealers used to be fair for the most part but not nowadays.
DW

 

[handejector]

I have been a numismatist since I was 12.
DW

That's OK. We don't discriminate.

 

[NCTexan]

I feel so stupid opening this thread and not knowing what a BU is... or even a half Barber.

How did I make it to 63 years of age and still be this uninformed?

 

[Andy Griffith]

I feel so stupid opening this thread and not knowing what a BU is... or even a half Barber.

How did I make it to 63 years of age and still be this uninformed?

Well, a half barber is someone that didn't finish barber school and only gives you half a shave or haircut.

"BU" is what I say when my stink'n *literally* cousins come to town. I think they wrestle with skunks!


Just jokin' !!!

Barber half: (not mine- found a pic on the net)

"BU" is shorthand for "Brilliant uncirculated"- hope this fills in the blanks my friend.

97% of the time, these coins are found in this condition:

For the simple reason they were used- not hoarded!

 

[handejector]

I feel so stupid opening this thread and not knowing what a BU is... or even a half Barber.

How did I make it to 63 years of age and still be this uninformed?

Most folks say "Barber half".