Barber Coin Collectors' Society (BCCS)

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into Barber Coin Collectors' Society (BCCS) in Decatur, IL. These rotate daily. They are general collector etiquette from CDXList — not this shop’s house rules. When something is unclear, ask the person at the counter.

1. 01

   Regulars get easier visits because they are known

   Introduce yourself. Come back. Pay as you said you would. The second visit is almost always smoother than the first. A local shop is a relationship, not a vending machine. That works in your favor when you have something unusual.

2. 02

   Bring coins in a way they can actually look at them

   Trays, albums, and labeled bags beat a torn grocery sack. Do not pour coins onto glass. Hand them a box they can work through. Dirt, food, and loose batteries in the same tin make a poor first impression and a slower look.

3. 03

   Ask if they buy the whole lot or select pieces

   Some shops write one number for the box. Some pull the coins they can use. Neither is wrong. Ask which they do before they start. If you need everything gone today, say that. If you only want to sell the silver, say that too.

4. 04

   Do not clean the coins

   Polish, dip, baking soda, and a toothbrush lower the value of most collectible coins. Leave dirt and toning alone. If you already cleaned something, say so. A dealer would rather hear the truth than discover it under a lamp.

5. 05

   If there is a card or check policy, they will tell you

   Do not guess at percentages. Do not argue from what another shop does. Ask what this shop does, listen, and decide. Policies differ for a reason. The honest move is a straight question, not a speech about “what everyone else charges.”