No Common Cents

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into No Common Cents in Narragansett, RI. 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

   Lunch and after-work can stack the counter

   Local shops get a rush when people are off the clock. If you have a box, those windows are the wrong time to expect a leisurely offer. Call and ask when they can sit with it. Most dealers would rather schedule you than rush you.

2. 02

   Cash is still common. That is normal.

   Coin and bullion shops have worked in cash for a long time. It is not shady by itself. Count together at the counter. Do not count a stack in the parking lot with the door open. If you are uncomfortable carrying cash, say so and ask what else they can do.

3. 03

   Bring the holders, papers, and boxes they came in

   Original packaging, certificates, and grading-company holders matter. Do not dump everything into a bag to “make it easier.” The dealer would rather see it the way it has been kept. Leave coins in PCGS, NGC, or ANACS holders.

4. 04

   Online asking prices are not what a shop pays

   A listing, a completed auction before fees, and a dealer buy price are three different numbers. Screenshots of asks are not a bid. Bring the coins. Let them look. Then talk. You will get further than arguing from a tab on your phone.

5. 05

   Cameras and a locked door are normal

   Buzz-in doors, counters, and cameras protect the shop and the people in it. They are not aimed at you personally. Follow the house rules. If you are asked to wait to be let in, wait. That is a well-run store, not a cold shoulder.