Comments about Good Numismatic Dealers

Jack Beymer has the reputation of one of the strictest graders around. His prices seem high, but I have never heard of anyone accuse Jack of overgrading. FWIW

I second that motion. Jack lives nearby and frequents all of the local coin shows. His coins tend to be graded *very* strictly, PQ for the grade and kinda overpriced. Although Mrs. Beymer says it, "where else are you going to find a piece that nice?" He specializes a bit in large cents, and always has a wonderful selection of these for sale. If you just look at the advertised grade from Jack (and not the price) you almost certainly will not be disappointed when you see the coin.

My experience with M&L Coins (Mike and Linda Bristow) is overwhelming. They have always been honest and fair with me. For example:
On one occasion his credit card setup wasn't working properly and he e-mailed me and gave me his home phone number and told me to call him collect. We chatted a good while on the phone and he was very informative. Mike likes EAC.
On another occasion Mike forgot to mail my coin. He was honest about what happened and did not try to cover up the situation. He gave me a 10% discount on my next purchase for the inconvenience.

ML coin auction - Mike Bristow - Bought from a few times. Never any problems. Coins fairly graded and problems disclosed.

Scott Travers's Company is good too.

Nicholas, I love your site, it has helped me immensely. There is one dealer I would like you to consider for your Good Guys page. I recently bought a 1928-s Standing Liberty Quarter in PCGS MS-65 FH from Legend. They sent it to me on approval, even though I had never done business with them before. When I got the coin I was floored by the quality. It has rainbow spectrum natural toning that is gorgeous. It is nice to know that some people don't save the best coins for their preferred customers. I have heard that their prices may be high at times, but the price on this quarter was very reasonable. I will definitely do business with them again. Thanks for your site.

According to HIS OWN Biography on NOL, a former PCGS grader. I plan on bidding in his NOL auction, and I've been doing a little research on him myself. All his raw coins are guaranteed his grade. If he says a coin is MS64, for example, he guarantees if slabbed, would come back the same or higher. He has a 30 day money back guarantee on his raw coins. I asked some questions on the Newsgroups about him, and I've got back good comments.

Larry Briggs sent many of the coins to Kevin Flynn when he published the book "Two Dates are Better Than One" referring to Misplaced Dates and worked with him on the book. He also has the only leading resource book on Seated Quarters. He is a top notch authenticater and is considered one of the best in his field. Scarce coins are his cup of tea.

While I have never dealt with Larry, I have met him at the ANA Summer Conference, and know that he has been MOST generous and supportive of the YNs (buying auction lots at high prices, then donating them back for reauction...that sort of thing). That speaks highly in my opinion, and he seems like a nice guy as well.

I highly do recommend Kevin. I have purchased some nice coins from him. He deals in Ancients.

Bought an Indian cent from Bach's Coin Box at a Long Beach show. I spent a long time looking through his box of cents and was not hurried or pressured.

Small mail order dealer in mostly collector coins between $10 - $100
Outstanding, very fairly grades, prices excellent, takes charge cards, quick turn around. I've probably bought from him 20 times and have returned only twice for coins I just didn't like. Alway discloses any problems in his ads. Have never been surprised.
I'm reluctant to let everyone know about Jim because as it is, it's hard to get his better coins. They move very quick.

Irv Atkins - I have had excellent dealings with him on Collector's Auction and have only questioned 1 of about a dozen coins that I bought. It was a 1911S XF Wheat Cent. Careful examination at 30X revealed that his grading was correct, so it was more of my perception of eye appeal so I kept the coin.

They've sold me two very nice Lincoln Cent Doubled Dies (1983 reverse and the attached 1980 obverse), both coins were accurately attributed and very fairly priced. They even sent an extra coin with the last shipment.
They also held my checks until I received the coins and e-mailed back my approval - IMHO a good way to foster trust among total strangers.

It is a real nice little shop. Antiques, coins, stamps. Not a HUGE coin company, but a nice little shop. The man there is really nice and he gave me my Whitman coin folders $0.50 less!!

We hear so much these days about unscrupulous dealers that I thought it would be appropriate to post something regarding an excellent one.
Earlier today, I posted a message regarding something called a "Finned Rim" and asked for some assistance regarding a possible valuation and what it was.
When I bought the quarter, the dealer said it was an error as it had been minted with metal meant for a half dollar. It was quite thick on one side and it sounded more than reasonable.
I brought the coin back to the dealer this evening and as soon as he saw the ANACS encapsulated coin and their written opinion that it was in fact NOT struck on half dollar stock, not only did he immediately apologize and give me a cash refund for the $118.75 I paid for the coin, but ALSO insisted on paying the entire ANACS charge of $34.00!
In other words, he gave me, in cash, $34.00 MORE than I originally paid for the coin. I had never even considered asking for reimbursement for the $34.00 I spent getting the coin graded.
The dealer's name is:
Neal Osina
Best Variety Sports Cards and Coins
[Snip]
In my opinion, this man exemplifies everything that is good about our hobby. You can bet I'll be going back to him in the future and giving him my business!

Neil Osina is/was ---- and always will be --- one of the best dealers around. Not just in Errors and/or Varietys.. but in everything he does: Always ready to answer a question or just 'chew the fat' a bit.. And he's a storehouse of knowledge!! If ever you spot him at a show (he's hard to miss.. as you will learn) or drop into his shop in Alhambra, CA.. just try NOT getting a response from him; be it serious or jocular..

Look this man up if your in the market for GSA CC Dollars. Properly graded material at very fair prices. I deal with him on approval, and have never sent a coin back or questioned pricing.

I deal quite a bit with Larry and find him to be a very knowledgable and fair grader. A pleasant attitude and good buys greet you every time.

Another fair dealer with good pricing and proper grading. I've never received a lousy coin from Al.

The reason is that I telephoned a order in to him, for the very first time, I wanted to buy two coins and have him hold two coins, and without me paying for them he sent the the four coins along with an invoice. Real trusting. I also sent several coins in on trade and he gave me good prices for my coins. I highly recommend him for the list. He mainly deals with Canadian, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and American coins.

I have been dealing with them for many years. I've bought great coins for good prices and get a good cash discounts good trades when upgrading my collections. They carry a large selection of American, foriegn, gold, commemorative, paper, (any thing numismatic).

I would HIGHLY recommend a coin dealer, Equity Standard, in Wichita, Kansas. While their prices are usually higher than those listed in the bi-monthly Coin Prices (Usually less than 10%) their grading is always exceptionally accurate and could darn near be used as examples for the ANA Grading Guide. If anything I feel that their conservative grading probably hurts them BUT when they buy they use the same standards. People may feel that they are being ripped on the grading but if they check back they would discover that the coin is being sold as the same grade for which it is purchased. As an example I purchased a VF 1909S Indian Head that, with the exception of the upper right arm of the Y in liberty, probably should have graded XF or XF+. They agreed but explained that they felt that the weak Y made it a VF.

He is a very reputable Ancient Coin Dealer. You will pay retail, but he will ship what you order. No overgrading.

Jonathan Kern is a fine gentleman with excellent merchandise.

I happily second [snipped] comments about gentleman Jonathan Kern. He always is helpful promoting the hobby by working with the news media when reporters and camera crews arrive at a show, such as Long Beach or the ANA. Jonathan lets me borrow a big, Roman bronze coin or two because it always amazes reporters that you can have a genuine, 2000 year old artifact anyone can buy for $20 or less. (We show the reporters the higher priced goods, too, but it impresses the media to learn that age is not the determining factor in the value of coins.) Thanks, Jonathan!

Ordered a few times from this gent and he has sent properly graded material every time. Pricing is very fair.