Coin Shop Shenanigans
If you have been following along HERE and HERE, you will know I went a bit silver crazy last week. First I was gifted 5 new shiny ounces for my birthday, then I managed to purchase a sweet 4.8oz hand poured owl from (NOT made by) @pit-bullion.
With flood gates released and birthday money in my pocket, I headed to my LCS.
5 more ounces.
Let’s talk about my coin shop for a minute. I haven’t been going long, since maybe January. However, the two guys in there have seen me enough times that they know what trays to pull out when I come around. I am also not one to schmooze much. Just show me the silver, tell me a price, I pay and get outta there.
But one guy always seems to rip me off a little....
Is it because I am female? Is it because I am not enough of a regular? Is it because I have this look of not knowing what I am up to? Should I haggle more?
Whatever it is, it is my fault for not putting a stop to the shenanigans. I have resorted to always asking for an itemized receipt. But next time I am looking to google, with my phone in front of the coin seller before I put down my cash.
I picked up five ounces on this visit. Three were over priced, one was below spot and one was a steal. So does that put me ahead or behind? Let’s see.
One: Below Spot 🎅🏻
It’s Christmas in July! This one ounce .999 silver Santa (with a distinctly Santa shape) was purchased for just $15. Spot that day was like $15.60ish I believe. So this was a decent priced for a well worn Santa. Below spot is below spot.
Two: Neither Here Nor There
Next up the 2012 Canada Moose coin. This is the fourth release in the Canadian Wildlife series. The coin has a mintage limited to 1 million and contains .9999 silver. Face value is $5CAD. I paid $25USD which seemed a little high with spot at $15ish. I know there is a premium, but it should have been less. Especially since APMEX offered the same coin that day for $23... 😑
Three: Cranky at the Shop and Myself
Here we have the 2013 Canada Wildlife series Pronghorn Antelope. Mintage again is 1 million and the $5CAD coin is .9999 fine. $25. Here is when I asked the coin guy, “$25 when spot is just above $15?” Oh yeah he says. It’s collectible. This sells for much more online... Except it doesn’t... less than $21 on APMEX. I googled the price in my car in the parking lot. Grrrrr! Annoyed with him. More annoyed with me.
Four: Breaking Even
This is a fun little coin. Here we have the 2018 Rwandan Lunar Ounce Year of the Dog. It is .999 silver and is the second in the Rwandan lunar series. The coin has a face value of 50 Francs. I paid $25, APMEX was $25. Not a bargain but acceptable. 😐
Five: Winner, Winner Rooster Dinner. 😉
