J. Alden Fine Jewelry and Precious Metals

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into J. Alden Fine Jewelry and Precious Metals in Lake Wylie, SC. 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

   Ask before you touch anything in the case

   The dealer will hand you a coin or put it on a pad. Do not reach into a tray or slide a slab toward yourself. Handle coins by the edges if they are raw. If you drop something, say so immediately.

2. 02

   Be present when it is your turn

   Take the call outside. Pull the earbuds. The dealer is about to look at your coins or pull something you asked for. A face-to-face minute is worth more than a half-distracted twenty. If you need to text a spouse about a number, say so and step aside.

3. 03

   Know roughly what you brought

   You do not need to be an expert. A simple list — silver dollars, a few proofs, a bag of wheat cents — helps. “I have no idea, you tell me” on a mixed box is fine once. It is harder when the box is huge and you cannot say what you want out of the visit.

4. 04

   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.

5. 05

   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.