How to choose a local coin dealer

Susan provides an excellent writeup of how to choose a good local dealer. I wrote my own ideas about finding a dealer, but I failed to include the PNG Dealer directory, which she mentions and can be an excellent (though limited) resource. We’re both hesitant to recommend the yellow pages because there’s such a small barrier to entry and there are a lot of dishonest people who may try to take advantage of you.

It’s worth spending time searching for a dealer you can trust. Collectors often create friendships with coin dealers that last a lifetime, and that’s an extremely valuable relationship for a collector. Having one bad experience with a dealer can turn people off from the hobby too, so it’s important to find someone who will treat you and your collection with the utmost of fairness and honesty.