Tough economic times are causing some coin collectors to cut back on how much they are spending to enjoy their hobby.
So, how can coin collectors still find a way to buy coins without breaking the bank?
A lot of coin collectors look to discount coins for inexpensive ways to add to their collections.
Here are some tips for budget coin collecting…
Discount Coins
What is a discount coin?
Quite simply, there are many coin dealers who clear out items which are either unpopular or overstocked by selling them at discounted prices.
Such discount coins often include:
- Bulk quantities of 20th century United States coins
- Broken-up mint sets
- Single proof coins
- Foreign coins
- Novelty coins
- Coin sets
- Cleaned and damaged coins
Discount Coin Storage
If you are looking for good deals on coin storage, then you’re in luck! Many coin dealers offer discount coin storage items, too.
Often, these discounts apply to used:
Discounted coin storage items can also include new items which have either been discontinued or are overstocked.
Be sure to ask your local coin dealer about any discount coin storage items he or she may have available.
Finding Coin Dealers Who Offer Discount Coins
It is not difficult to find coin dealers with discount coins or storage items.
In fact, it is highly common to find coin dealers who have:
- half-price boxes
- junk boxes
- other similar discount offers
If you are calling local coin dealers to see if they have discounted stock (and there is a good chance they do), be sure to ask if they have:
- half-price boxes
- junk boxes
- discount boxes
Many online and mail-order coin dealers also offer discount coins, though they may not be advertised as junk coins or half-price coins.
Be sure to look for coins advertised under headings such as:
- special prices
- clearance
- liquidations
- overstocked
- discounted
Discount Coin Return Policies
Alright, so you bought a discounted coin or storage item, but you’ve decided that you no longer want it and would like to return it. Hold on, there.
Before you ever buy any coins or storage items (including those which are discounted), be sure the dealer offers a return policy.
Many coin dealers do not offer returns or exchanges for discounted stock. So be sure you keep that in mind before you buy your next item!
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I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
