I Tested Every Coin Show Strategy for Dealers – Here’s What Actually Sells (And What Doesn’t)

I Tested Every Coin Show Strategy for Dealers – Here’s What Actually Sells (And What Doesn’t)

After setting up at seven different coin shows this year, I tried everything—from aggressive pricing to “free coin” giveaways. Some strategies worked shockingly well. Others? Total duds. Here’s the real deal on what moves inventory when you’re behind the table.

The Best Coins to Sell (And What Buyers Ignore)

Certified Coins in the $100-$300 Range

Hands down, slabbed coins in this range were my MVP sellers. PCGS or CAC-graded Morgans? Sold out by noon on Saturday. Turns out collectors love that sweet spot between “I can afford this now” and “This is actually worth something.”

Toned and Semi-Key Raw Coins

Got a raw Mercury dime with rainbow toning? Display it front and center. These $5-$50 coins attracted more hands than a poker table. But generic wheat pennies without character? They might as well have been glued to the felt.

Junk Silver and 90% Coins

Here’s the truth: dumping a coffee can of 90% silver halves creates a feeding frenzy. But unless you bought at melt, you’re basically running a break-even carnival attraction.

What Didn’t Sell?

Overpriced slabs collecting dust taught me a hard lesson: coin show buyers have eBay sold listings memorized. Price above market and watch them walk away mid-sentence.

Pricing Strategies: What Works vs. What Backfires

The “Free” Experiment

Giving away Buffalo nickels got me a crowd—and exactly zero serious buyers. Lesson learned: freebies attract lookers, not buyers, unless you’ve got a killer upsell strategy.

Negotiation Tactics

Here’s my favorite move: when someone lowballs on a key date Barber quarter, I’d start talking to another customer. Suddenly that “final offer” magically became my asking price.

Dynamic Pricing

Early birds got 10% off to create buzz. By Sunday afternoon? Prices were firm. This created urgency without giving away the store.

Dealer-Customer Interactions: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Tire-Kicker Problem

“Just looking” guys can kill your momentum. My solution? A simple “What are you hunting for today?” either gets them talking or moving along.

The Power of Mentorship

Sharing a table with veteran dealer Mike from Omaha was like getting a PhD in coin shows. He spotted counterfeit Morgans I would’ve bought and sent overflow business my way.

Security and Cash Flow

Two rules: 1) Keep small bills in your front pocket, not the cash box. 2) Never leave a junk box unattended—learned that the hard way when three Indian heads disappeared during a bathroom break.

Key Takeaways: How to Dominate Your Next Coin Show

• Certified coins ($100-$300): Your bread and butter. Stock up before the show.
• Toned raw coins: The eye candy that brings collectors to your table.
• Hold your ground on pricing: Good coins sell themselves to the right buyer.
• Junk silver: Use it like garlic in cooking—a little goes a long way.
• Find a mentor: Their war stories will save you thousands in mistakes.

After six months of trial and error, I went from eating concession stand hot dogs to actually turning a profit. The secret? Knowing what sells, how to price it, and when to walk away from a bad deal. Now get out there and fill those empty slots in your coin albums!

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