There are so many options out there when it comes to finding a rare coin dealer, especially when you consider the endless options on the Internet. So many choices may make it seem like finding the right choice should be easy, but don’t believe it. It can be difficult to find a rare coin dealer with a solid reputation, the inventory you need, and a trustworthiness that cannot be faked. You can’t just thumb through your phone book and hope to find someone worthwhile, and neither will a single Google search be the end of your research. This will take dedication and time, but that isn’t a bad thing. After all, nothing worth doing was ever easy.
The most important criterion for your rare coin dealer is experience. Whether you are a collector or an investor, you don’t want to blow your hard-earned money on a bad coin, and an experienced dealer will help you navigate around those pitfalls that so many new collectors fall subject to. You want someone who is going to represent you zealously in seeking a good deal on a coin buy, and who will work equally hard to sell your coins if or when you choose to do so. Going with someone with less experience would be a risk to your money and your investments, and you don’t want that.
A rare coin dealer should have a squeaky-clean reputation in the coin collecting community, and that means among other collectors and other coin dealers. Find out if a potential dealer is a member of a professional organization that requires members to comply with an ethics code. Two such organizations are the American Numismatists Association and the Professional Numismatic Guild. You can tell a lot about a business by their reputation, so don’t neglect this piece of your research.
Always question a rare coin dealer about customer service. Online dealers often offer 24/7 customer service, which is an excellent benefit. If you prefer to work with a brick and mortar business, you should confirm what times the dealer is available to answer questions or take orders. If you can’t have a relationship that allows you to ask questions and get into conversations about various rare coins with your dealer, then you shouldn’t take that dealer’s business. In a world where values are not static and everything can change in a few minutes, it is important to have people on your side who are responsive and intelligent, and can guide you when necessary.