Hertel's Coins

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into Hertel's Coins in Lake in the Hills, 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

   Bring identification on a larger visit

   A license in the car does not help at the counter. If you might sell, buy something expensive, or move cash, bring ID in with you. It speeds things up and avoids an awkward pause after you already agreed.

2. 02

   Bullion and collector coins are different conversations

   Melt moves with the market. A key date does not. Say what you think you have, then let them look. Mixing “it’s old so it must be rare” with a junk-silver bag slows everyone down. Sort in your mind: weight versus date.

3. 03

   Count money together, then put it away

   Whether you are paying or getting paid, count at the counter where both of you can see. Then put it away. That protects you and the shop. If something is off, it is much easier to fix before anyone has left the glass.

4. 04

   You do not have to announce what you paid

   “I have three thousand in this” is not a grade or a melt value. It puts the dealer on defense and does not change what the coin is. Tell them what it is, where it came from if that matters, and what you want to do. Let the piece speak, then talk numbers.

5. 05

   Tell them if a coin is damaged, cleaned, or already graded

   Hiding a problem wastes time and trust. “This one was cleaned” or “this already came back from PCGS” is useful. Dealers would rather adjust than feel tricked. Honesty on the small things makes the rest of the visit easier.