bulk purchase

[dzuberbu]

Hi one and all:

I hope that this topic isn't redundant. If it is, please tell me and I'll do what is necessary per your advice to connect it to whatever might already be existing. I am completely new to joining forums, posting questions and/or comments, etc.

However, I'm not entirely new to collecting -- but still have to consider myself a novice.

I'm interested in anyone who is willing to share 'secrets' of bulk purchasing. I'm not unfamiliar with search engines -- but most of what I've located on my own tends to leave me with an impression of 'not truly bulk' -- stuff well-picked over and already 'bulked' into lots by grade, etc. And usually carrying a significant premium. I just don't seem to 'connect' with what would appear to truly be a bulk wholesale contractor.

I collect both British and US coins. My current 'interest' is in double-florins and Victoria crowns in the 1887 to 1900 range. And, I am a 'yank'. So there are the usual postage concerns with regard to British coins for me -- and ... quite apart from that ... it just seems that in my area of the US (Wisconsin), there just aren't a great deal of opportunities for locating the 'undiscovered treasure trove' -- regardless of whether US or British.

Having said that ... and implying as well that there just simply are not a lot of trade sales, 'garage sales', (or 'boot' sales as the Brits might call them)... I am thinking that my only avenue is true 'bulk sales' that can be found online.

So ... any and all replies will be appreciated -- whether it be to indicate that maybe I'm missing some opportunities, or for online opportunities, or whatever.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback. God save the Queen!

./dz

[TomGoodheart]

Welcome dz. Can't say I've ever bought in 'bulk' before, although I have got an occasional mixed lot from an auction, it's been for one coin I particularly wanted, so I can't speak from experience.

However I would imagine that most 'accumulations' such as biscuit tins full of coins at auction will have been cherry picked, but maybe some of the others here can give their views. Perhaps garage sales will have more potential, but most people are on the look out for a bit of cash these days and anything shiny and/or old will attract attention and again likely get picked out IMHO.

As to double florins and crowns, I'd guess you'd need to be very lucky to find those in a mix of coins even here in Britain. Though I could be wrong!

.

[Peckris]

The nearest you'd come to that is from someone who buys scrap silver and has just bought a whole load of Victoriana - but they would of course be rubbish grades. Buying a bulk lot of decent-to-high-grade Victorian crowns and d/florins would be a once in a blue moon opportunity. Good luck looking though.

[TomGoodheart]

There are of course things like these: http://www.dnw.co.uk/auctions/catalogue/results.php?auction_id=318&category=British Coins - Lots However it's hardly garage sale prices. And of course, postage from the UK to the USA won't be cheap ...

I'm wondering if your best bet might be pawn shops/ jewellers? Though most items are likely to be well circulated you might just be lucky and prices are more likely to be based on metal value than numismatic ..

To be honest, I'm not sure you are missing any opportunities. I suspect there just aren't that many either side of the Atlantic, what with people looking out for silver to hoard and coin roll hunting ...