Good question, I doubt Ebay is a good place to get bulk coins. If you go to a dealer at least you can look and see what's there. I have some bulk coins that I got off cragslist, so I would recommend trying that. I would be happy to sell you some of my bulk coins, nothing special but great for filling up your swap list and more that just a few nations.
It's a great question, and I would like to hear what more experienced collectors have to say.
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
The subject of bulk lots has been discussed previously on this forum. If you click on the search button at the top right of this page you can find the various topics (I found about 20 results).
Just because you can't see it ... doesn't mean it isn't there - Anon.
Here in Skopje exist old bazaar where you can find a lot of bulk coins for chip prices,for exampling 1kg for 2 or 3$,i have luck to find silver coins,some rare coins,and some coins for swap list,mostly of them are junk coin,but some of them is good :)
yes,there you can find most collectors items,like 10000 stamps for 2$,one bag full with coins for 2-3$,ancient coin for 3$,silver turkish coin for 1-2$,some gilotina (i dont know english name for this french killing machine) for 130$,a gun WW1 for 150$,interesting items in any keys
i never been there,you must find information on some bulgarians forum,i see the pictures of that bazaar,you can find very interesting items,i planing to visiting in fall,where are you from?
i need information about ilienci,to buy some gemstones.
Quote: sandy1960what do think of this lot. I'll tell you later how much.
So you bought that job lot for £200 off eBaY? I just missed out on a very nice 6.3 kg lot on eBaY. Outbid at £54.00. I was prepared to go to £52.00. I always watch eBaY, but the job lots are working out to £12 per kilo.
Quote: sandy1960I made an offer before end off auction got reply day or 2 after. going to view shortly and will proberbly return with heavy load.
Oh of course, it was unsold! Well, I wish I lived over that way. I'd take a set of scales and give £5 per kilo if it is run of the mill pre-decimal coinage. But, that'll keep you busy for a long time. A successful bulk lot, sandy1960!
Got the coins, just under 50kg and one of the first coins is a 1794 botanic garden bath token very nice condition.
will put a pic up later. paid £150 the lot.
one guy sell entire collection for about 300-400 euros...cccc,only few of them worth full price....but now im short with money,i buy yesterday 24 silver coins,all money go for this month...ccc good luvk for me next time,i miss this oportunity...
where then do those that sell in bulk find them for themselves to sell? I live in Indiana and it's almost impossible to find anyone that sells for a good price (without junk and cull) per lb. I've tried craigslist but still nothing. Even the auctions online seem to be so high.
Quote: gammonmomwhere then do those that sell in bulk find them for themselves to sell? I live in Indiana and it's almost impossible to find anyone that sells for a good price (without junk and cull) per lb. I've tried craigslist but still nothing. Even the auctions online seem to be so high.
This is my question exactly, and I assume that dealers buy bulk coins for VERY CHEAP, that's my best guess. but like you say, I have tried everywhere and can't find a good deal. Just got to keep looking and every now and again get lucky.
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
Buying bulk coins from the likes of eBay is almost certain to end in frustration and disappointment. Coins sold by the pound have been thoroughly picked over, if not by the seller then by the person who he got them from. These are usually freight buys split into smaller lots. Anything of any real value is long gone.
Check the other items that the seller has available or what he has sold in the past.... aye, he has dozens of individual coins in the <$10 range. What you are getting is the junk left over. Some sellers have gotten smart and use one account to sell bulk coins and another to sell better items.
It is occasionally possible to find someone getting rid of a collection, or more accurately an accumulation of coins. These tend to be much better buys especially if it is possible to view the coins. Many disreputable sellers use a "representative" photo or one which makes it alomost impossible to tell what the coins are. Once again, sellers have worked out that people will pay a premium for such lots and are starting to sell their junk as "estate find", "junk drawer clearout" and other terms to create the impression that this is a one off sale.
I've pretty much given up on eBay now. I buy coins at our local fleamarkets and I've managed to pick up some very nice coins for a few cents each. My best buy to date was a $2 bag of old coins which turned out to have several $40 / $50 items, an Edward VII shilling and a 1777 Dollar which is surely a replica or counterfeit (all known examples are accounted for) but I like it.
I also buy up entire collections. I know most of the dealers in my area and they will often pay for a collection knowing that I will be happy to buy it from them. Of course they will cherry pick and add a few dollars profit but I don't mind. Most of the time the collections come in Dansco or Whitman type classic albums which are worth more than the purchase price.
For those who were wondering how sellers get their bulk coins, I can shed a little light on this I think. Since the introduction of the Euro most of the EU banks have been taking in their former currencies in large quantities. I remember reading or being told that enterprising buyers were snapping up the coins for face value. I suspect that these are being sold in prohibitively large lots though. Still, for those of you living in the Eurozone it might be worthwhile asking at your local branch if they would consider letting you have a few kilos. Most will be pocket change but you may just strike it lucky!
Non illegitimis carborundum est. Excellent advice for all coins.
Make Numismatics Great Again!
Quote: emilu2Here in Skopje exist old bazaar where you can find a lot of bulk coins for chip prices,for exampling 1kg for 2 or 3$,i have luck to find silver coins,some rare coins,and some coins for swap list,mostly of them are junk coin,but some of them is good :)
True, I've been in Macedonia (Ohrid) before and did bought there wonderful coins for an interesting price.
May I visit your country again, Skopje and it's coins will have my attention!
I rarely buy bulk lots nowadays due to relative large collection of world type coins. But when I used to my max level was 10 €/kg. I found only a couple of new coins from the latest lots so I don't look for them anymore. Best sources were local internet auctions and local coin shops. I have never tried eBay for bulk lots. I did never look for dates so I guess other collectors have made great finds after I resell the duplicates off.
I only buy bulk lots off my dealer, and that's only because he's a stamp specialist and doesn't really deal in coins so I know I'm going to get something decent out of his lots.
By comparison, coins in Romania are very expensive. At the local bazar they cost about 4 times the price they have at the coin shop (which is already quite high).
Not fair. :(
I'm now at the stage where I'm more likely to buy individual coins, I've whittled down all the low grade crap out of my collection and I'm left with silver and higher grade coins, If I buy too many bulk lots I'm sure the temptation will be to start collecting everything again no matter what the grade. I've found a good local website that sells individual world coins at decent prices. No more fighting over overpriced on-line auctions for me again
For me it's hard to throw away even very worn coins if I'm after that km number. Some coins may be categorised as a junk by other numismatist, but I think it's not a bad sin in my life as I'm minimalist in other areas.The whole collection consist only 6 binders + box for 9 coins. Total of 2400 coins and notes.
I'm minimalist in my coin collection. I reduced my collection because I've moved into the self adhesive cardboard flips (Lighthouse brand) and they can be a bit pricey. It's not really viable to put a coin worth $1 in a flip that cost 25 cents.
I'm down to under 600 coins now. 350 silver coins and the rest are zinc, iron, tin and a few bronze and cu-ni ones that I like. Only 600 coins but the catalogue value is around US$7,000
too bad its to far for me to go 
tell us what you get 
I just missed out on a very nice 6.3 kg lot on eBaY. Outbid at £54.00. I was prepared to go to £52.00. I always watch eBaY, but the job lots are working out to £12 per kilo. 
good luvk for me next time,i miss this oportunity... 
