Will be going down to San Diego for a couple of days and will visit Tijuana across the border. Anyone know any coin shops there or in San Diego? Many years ago I went to a money exchange place in TJ and was able to get a cap and ray peso...hmmm...never checked that one with a magnet...perhaps I should.
Brave man. no way in **** i would go into mexico right now. one of the most dangerous places on the planet.
And this is coming from someone on the northside of Chicago!! Actually when we lived in San Diego (1978-1982) we used to go over to Tijuana a couple of times a year. As long as you stay on the main shopping street and not go exploring, it is pretty safe. Big tourist trap and they don't want to spoil it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB_TM5AvJP0 oops, this is the southside.
ha! yeah, i stay north of the bean. i wont go to the southside for anything. it's probably just as dangerous as mexico, i'll give you that.
it really is a shame, too. such a small area of chicago is responsible for the bad rep we have. the city really is safe, if you stay out of a few areas.
bobs nickels is located in San diego do a search of coin shops in the city. As for Mexico be very careful! TJ is not a place for a gringo....you can take a tour bus trip down to Ensenada much safer than TJ! The border crossing at TJ and the US is a crazy place in its self.
I live in San Diego and you should go to the "Old Coin Shop." Fun store, lots of inventory, but they're only open until about 2pm everyday. The other store I frequent is San Diego Coin and Bullion. As to TJ, I wouldn't go down there right now. There was a time about 10 years ago when I would frequently go to TJ for an afternoon, or just to get lunch. I haven't done that in a long time, just not safe these days like it used to be.
There was a nice coin shop in La Jolla a few years back. Don't recall the name or know if it's still there. TJ...I'd rather visit Brazil or Argentina if I were to insist on going on a third world trip. I like my head attached to my torso when I return. Guy
Hi my name is miriam i am in tijuana for the next days, and i have some old mexican coins just a mixture of different coins.
Hi, Miriam! Welcome to the neighborhood! You do realize that this thread is more than 4-1/2 years old, don't you? Your best bet would be to start your own thread in "World Coins" with photos and ask specific questions for the best answers. Chris
Hard to believe this thread is almost 5 years old... Actually we had a very nice trip. We stayed at a motel close to the border (on the US side), drove down and parked at the border and walked over. It seemed the same as it did before, walking down Revolucion with the shopkeepers grabbing your arm..."It's cheap inside", but no coins. Finally my wife found a piece of pottery she was looking for and we headed back on the other side of the street. I found three places that had coins, one called the Kentucky Gift Shop, so I bought a 1945 peso (overpriced) there. @desertgem three hours in line, and then at the border, the guard asked to see my passport but I hadn't brought it. He asked how I intended to get back into the US and I offered my CA driver's license. He said "It's been awhile since you have been to Mexico, hasn't it?" Turns out a passport is required. After he hasseled me a bit, he let me through. Fun stuff.
Glad you were not detained. I don't think your 1945 peso would have afforded you entry back into the U.S.
Yeah, passports are needed now, remember to put it in an RFID proof folder, as the counterfeiters love to read the # by getting close to you. They have caught quite a few US citizens trying to get across out in the desert so they didn't have to wait....not the best idea of their tequila filled brains.
It's been quite a few years since my last visit to San Diego and Mexico. I recall the last time meeting an Australian couple and their 2y/o. The wife was about 6 months pregnant and with the 2 y/o old I suggested they not vet off the bus in TJ but come with my wife and I down to Ensenada . In my younger days I just drive down there my self in the rental car....but wasn't sure if that would be a smart move in my late 50's. As Jim pointed out crossing the border at early evening isn't what you want to do! Total mayhem topped by just about anything one can Imagine. I have to say the border crossing at TJ is probably the busiest in the world bar none. In fact it wacked the wife so much she refuses to ever cross again. I keep pointing out to her this isn't "check point Charlie " and we aren't trying to smuggle strudels out of the DDR.
Back in the 80's we were coming out of TJ and I had decided to bring a "brick" of fireworks with me. It was sandwiched in the folds of a serape in a plastic bag, so I figured I could get away with it. The agent started to run his hands into the bag, but my wife pushed the bag she was carrying up onto the table too, and he switched to it...whew...
