posted 03-26-2008 08:59 PM            

As a midwest dealer with lots of East Coast life history, here is my perspective. Some of the most avid collectors are those collecting coin silver from a particular state from the midwest or south. There are numerous collectors of silver from Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Texas (when you can find it) and all of the southern states save Florida. There are also strong Maryland collectors, California collectors, a few Ohio collectors, and a few Indiana collectors. Michigan doesn't seem to have many, probably because there is no book to consult. There is coin silver to be had from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and probably many of the plains states, but because there are few if any references to help identify makers and reatilers of the west, and not that much material, collecting seems limited.

Most coin silver collectors these days seem to spend most of their time online. I'm sure there is interest at Americana shows, but you just don't find many coin silver collectors at a general mid-range antique shows. Even when we do shows out of state we rarely get asked about it, though we have a case with lots in it. As for walk-in buyers, we might get one or two a year, usually traveling through from somewhere else. The sad fact is, when I find something of interest, I sell it at the place that can't be mentioned, and ship it East or South.

I'll shut up now,

Brent

posted 03-26-2008 11:42 PM            

As another dealer on the east coast, I will say that auctions online have not impacted the number of people asking for coin silver from me at shows. What has changed is what they are asking for. Now they want the high end merchandise, but they usually want to get it cheap.. really cheap. Perhaps they are selling it online?

What has changed more is the way I now sell coin silver. The items I sell online are the specialty items, southern made or retailed, and all 18th c. goods. Items I carry at the shows are, 19th c. spoons, forks, tea services, cups, and mundane boxes.

In the olden days (pre large online auction house days), there were 3 or 4 folks that specialized in selling specialty coin silver, but they were usually one man shops, and they went out of business, or online as it became possible. There remains, 2 dealers I know of, that do one of the big east coast shows (Baltimore summer Antiques Fair) that only carry American coin. One has a very nice shop.. the other sells at shows and online.

Buying online is easier in that there is such a wide selection of coin silver goods available, and, I think, the prices are pretty low in comparison to what they were three+ years ago when coin was hot! And... you don't have to dress up to shop.