Bartering - Metal Detector Tool For Building Coin Collections

Tokens, collectibles, jewelry and thousands of non-metal items I have located metal detecting have aided significantly to building my coin collections. Nothing is as exciting as finding valuable coins with a metal detector, but the wealth of other finds can be traded in a fun adventure called bartering.

Many years ago bartering was a major part of our economic world in America. It is almost a lost art today. A cashe of bank tokens was traded to a Florida specialist in tokens for high grade coins including 1828 & 1832 half cents, 1852 silver three cent piece, several large cents, a couple seated halves and a beautiful New Jersey coin minted in 1786. We both left that bartering process very happy. He had 40 BU 1918 bank tokens (I kept 5) from the Tarpon Springs Commerce Bank that crashed in the stock market collapse of 1929 and I had some coins to add to my early type collection as well as starting 2 new collections. I am not sure who got the best deal but I am more than pleased.

I have done numerous trades in this swapping arena and have never been disappointed in the process. Antique marbles, buttons, thimbles, toys, keys, locks, bottles, dog tags, silverware, military pins, clay pipes, buckles, and all types of jewelry have played a role in my bartering for coins. On several occasions I did not even get the item home to show off to family or friends because fellow detector users would trade coins for nice collectibles. Treasure hunting club meetings also present a great opportunity to barter. Relic hunters in the membership pool will gladly trade coins for treasured items that they collect. Best find time in club meetings is always exciting and I rarely miss an opportunity to barter. I traded a beautiful military sharpshooters pin for an 1868 semi-key Indian Head cent valued at $75.00 in extra-fine condition. I traded about 200 antique marbles of all sizes for 12 different SL Quarters. This started a new collection for me in the 1970's era. I have added to this collection by detecting and bartering that I only need two coins to complete it (1919 D, 1923 S) and will gladly barter with any reader.

The real key to being successful in bartering is to know the value of the relic or collectible that you are trading. I utilize antique magazines and books to get the values of collectibles and have presented items (by pictures and or rubbings) to metal detector magazines as well. When you have the value of a find be willing to trade at 70 to 80 precent of the that value. I needed a 1908 S Indian Cent and had a nice 14K man's ring with a gold trade value of $45.00 and the coin I wanted was worth between $30 to $35.00 in VG condition. I bartered with the club member who presented it for best find that month. He took the ring to a pawn shop and got $42.00 cash and I had the coin I needed. Another win-win situation for both parties and my trade down at 70 to 80 percent of value ($31.50 - $36.00) was perfect for that coins value.

There are many metal detector finds not mentioned above, both metal and non-metal, that can be profitable and fun in bartering. If it has value and not something you personally want to hold on to- trade it. Sometimes your item may be very valuable to someone else and a cash offer is made. Take it! You can buy the coins you need. But that is another story! Here's to "diggin it"! Larry Smith

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