COINS - AS SEEN ON TV! "AVC Collectible Coins With Steve and Don" - A Review...

Norsk64 The Coin TV Critic : Nice material, keep ot coming!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Thanks for the comment! Will do!

 

I just bought two NGC70 2020 Silver Eagles from AVC for $49.95 each, which is ten bucks less than I paid for the same, ungraded coins in OGP from the US Mint.
You have to know what you're buying. I don't care about "First Day of Issue," "Premiere" or "Signed By" labels (buy the coin, NOT the label), as they add NOTHING to the value of graded coins, and will not contribute to their future value.
One of the things I like about AVC's hosts and their presentations is the immediate, up-front pricing. Barry Chappelle (what happened to him??), Rick Tomaska, hosts on The Coin Vault and Mike Mezak will stand before the cameras waving their arms in the air, showing unrelated comparisons from Ebay or other sources for nearly an hour (Shh ... the price is a secret!) before finally revealing whether they want an arm, a leg or one of each for the treasure they're willing to share with us for four easy payments. They also spend way too much time quoting and emphasizing "The Red Book Price" from previous years, which is entirely irrelavent, and only sounds important if you DON'T KNOW what you're doing.
[A quick sidebar: Personally, I'd never buy ANYTHING from someone named "Chopper," unless he was a butcher, and even then I'd keep a sharp eye on the scale].
Something which isn't widely known about AVC Coins is that you can call and ask for your own account representative. Mary Citrine was very knowledgable and quite helpful to me while I was building my collection. If I thought a coin was overpriced, she worked tirelessly to put a deal together. We weren't always successful, but many times she'd get me a better price if I bought more than one. She also arranged payment plans for some premium coins (I bought two 1895 CC Morgans several years ago, and paid in eight equal monthly installments; no interest, free shipping). If I wasn't happy with the coins I received, Mary asked whether I would prefer an exchange or refund, and helped to expidite the return process.
Does AVC have the lowest coin prices on the planet? Of course not, but their prices on ANY coins they sell will be FAR lower than the same coins sold by Littleton Coin Company (frankly, I don't know why they're still in business), and will almost certainly be lower than those you'll find on any other TV presentation.
I spent many years building my collection so I'd have something to pass down to my nephews. I attended coin shows here and there, bought a few from estate sales and auctions, picked up a few deals from coin shops that were going out of business and I've bought coins from other collectors. AVC Coins has been invaluable in helping me to fill the empty spaces in my collection, and I have no complaints. Their customer service is top-notch, I'd say their prices, overall, are reasonable, and sometimes more than reasonable (I bought twelve PCGS PF69 1973 Silver Ikes for $700 cash when these coins were selling for $80 - $85 each at coin shows. There WAS no lower price - ANYWHERE). Their presentations are brief, and I think Steve and Don both do a great job informing potential buyers of the history and value of the coins they feature.
Watching coin shows on TV is like watching golf or fishing shows on TV; they're boring as hell until something interesting happens. I don't watch "the other shows" because I don't have the patience for them. "The Others" don't display their prices immediately because they believe we won't change the channel if they keep the price a secret until the last few minutes of the show (they couldn't be more mistaken). Rick Tomaska will spend nearly an entire segment telling his audience how much a coin DOESN'T cost ("It's not $800; it's not $799; it's not $750 ...") which, I suspect, is a "trick" he learned during his tenure with Barry Chappelle, and which causes me to immediately lose interest in his current offer. What the hell do I care how much a coin doesn't cost? It's a stupid and ineffective sales tactic.
When I watch AVC Coins, I know right away how much they're selling the coin for, and whether I'm willing to pay that price. I also know that offer will be replaced with a different coin within the next five minutes or so; AVC Coins doesn't spend an excessive amount of time on their presentations, although one or more offers may be repeated within the hour.
Don't care for the hosts? Okay; no problem. Different strokes and all that. They do have a web site, avccoins.com (which Steve and Don reference from time to time during the program), that you can shop at your leisure. Did a certain coin capture your interest but you don't like the price? No worries; call your account rep and see if you can work something out. Are you, or have you been looking for a specific coin? Again, call your account rep and ask them to find it for you. He or she will call around and make the best deal they can. Once they've located your coin, they'll call you back with the offer, but you're under no obligation to buy it if you don't like the deal.
AVC Coins has much more to offer than meets the eye, and they can be a valuable resource to serious collectors who know how to utilize the services they offer.
Just the opinion of one satisfied client ...

 

I just bought two NGC70 2020 Silver Eagles from AVC for $49.95 each, which is ten bucks less than I paid for the same, ungraded coins in OGP from the US Mint.
You have to know what you're buying. I don't care about "First Day of Issue," "Premiere" or "Signed By" labels (buy the coin, NOT the label), as they add NOTHING to the value of graded coins, and will not contribute to their future value.
One of the things I like about AVC's hosts and their presentations is the immediate, up-front pricing. Barry Chappelle (what happened to him??), Rick Tomaska, hosts on The Coin Vault and Mike Mezak will stand before the cameras waving their arms in the air, showing unrelated comparisons from Ebay or other sources for nearly an hour (Shh ... the price is a secret!) before finally revealing whether they want an arm, a leg or one of each for the treasure they're willing to share with us for four easy payments. They also spend way too much time quoting and emphasizing "The Red Book Price" from previous years, which is entirely irrelavent, and only sounds important if you DON'T KNOW what you're doing.
[A quick sidebar: Personally, I'd never buy ANYTHING from someone named "Chopper," unless he was a butcher, and even then I'd keep a sharp eye on the scale].
Something which isn't widely known about AVC Coins is that you can call and ask for your own account representative. Mary Citrine was very knowledgable and quite helpful to me while I was building my collection. If I thought a coin was overpriced, she worked tirelessly to put a deal together. We weren't always successful, but many times she'd get me a better price if I bought more than one. She also arranged payment plans for some premium coins (I bought two 1895 CC Morgans several years ago, and paid in eight equal monthly installments; no interest, free shipping). If I wasn't happy with the coins I received, Mary asked whether I would prefer an exchange or refund, and helped to expidite the return process.
Does AVC have the lowest coin prices on the planet? Of course not, but their prices on ANY coins they sell will be FAR lower than the same coins sold by Littleton Coin Company (frankly, I don't know why they're still in business), and will almost certainly be lower than those you'll find on any other TV presentation.
I spent many years building my collection so I'd have something to pass down to my nephews. I attended coin shows here and there, bought a few from estate sales and auctions, picked up a few deals from coin shops that were going out of business and I've bought coins from other collectors. AVC Coins has been invaluable in helping me to fill the empty spaces in my collection, and I have no complaints. Their customer service is top-notch, I'd say their prices, overall, are reasonable, and sometimes more than reasonable (I bought twelve PCGS PF69 1973 Silver Ikes for $700 cash when these coins were selling for $80 - $85 each at coin shows. There WAS no lower price - ANYWHERE). Their presentations are brief, and I think Steve and Don both do a great job informing potential buyers of the history and value of the coins they feature.
Watching coin shows on TV is like watching golf or fishing shows on TV; they're boring as hell until something interesting happens. I don't watch "the other shows" because I don't have the patience for them. "The Others" don't display their prices immediately because they believe we won't change the channel if they keep the price a secret until the last few minutes of the show (they couldn't be more mistaken). Rick Tomaska will spend nearly an entire segment telling his audience how much a coin DOESN'T cost ("It's not $800; it's not $799; it's not $750 ...") which, I suspect, is a "trick" he learned during his tenure with Barry Chappelle, and which causes me to immediately lose interest in his current offer. What the hell do I care how much a coin doesn't cost? It's a stupid and ineffective sales tactic.
When I watch AVC Coins, I know right away how much they're selling the coin for, and whether I'm willing to pay that price. I also know that offer will be replaced with a different coin within the next five minutes or so; AVC Coins doesn't spend an excessive amount of time on their presentations, although one or more offers may be repeated within the hour.
Don't care for the hosts? Okay; no problem. Different strokes and all that. They do have a web site, avccoins.com (which Steve and Don reference from time to time during the program), that you can shop at your leisure. Did a certain coin capture your interest but you don't like the price? No worries; call your account rep and see if you can work something out. Are you, or have you been looking for a specific coin? Again, call your account rep and ask them to find it for you. He or she will call around and make the best deal they can. Once they've located your coin, they'll call you back with the offer, but you're under no obligation to buy it if you don't like the deal.
AVC Coins has much more to offer than meets the eye, and they can be a valuable resource to serious collectors who know how to utilize the services they offer.
Just the opinion of one satisfied client ...

 

Sorry about the duplicate post, folks. I'm not sure how it happened, but I can't find a way to delete it.

 

My entire family has seen every episode of "Steve & Don" (It's what we call the show) at least three times each. The wifey, my two sons and daughter absolutely love it. I have a large grease board set up smack dab right next to our television. My lovely wife works the tv remote. While the family remains seated, each with a large bowl of buttered popcorn in their lap, I'm always standing completely erect with grease pen in hand. And with a quick point of the finger in my wife's direction, she hits the pause button, so that I can school the gang on some of the finer points on what Steve and Don are saying. The wifey and I allow no talking amongst the children whatsoever , unless it is coin related. And when the show has concluded, we have ourselves a roughly 15 minute Q & A session, which the kids seem to especially relish. Next to "American Pickers", "Steve & Don" rank numero uno in our household!

 

I am pretty sure what you bought are bullion (no mint mark) ASEs which are sold to dealers at spot.

 

Oy vey!

 

Market says otherwise and has for years......

 

@Razz:
Well, if there's even a remote chance you're correct, these would be the FIRST bullion ASE's to be graded MS70 in an NGC casement.
However, your skepticism is nonetheless valid (the offer is hard to believe) so, please, don't take my word for it; tune in or visit their web site. They're also offering ASE's in NGC MS69 for $29.95.

 

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

turns that u into an o...

 

What does AVC stand for so I can look for it ? And who's the guy selling Saints at about 30% over market -- is that Mike M. ?

Finally, what's the story with Littleton Coin Company ?

Thanks for those of us who entered the movie half-way through...

 

Just no , no

 

First, welcome to the neighborhood, Jim!

The US Mint didn't make an 1895-CC Morgan. The last year of production was the 1893-CC. Is this a typo? ~ Chris

 

I see the Coin Vault is offering the proof 70 ASEs for $149.99 not $49.99.

 

Momboff..

 

Well said.

 

Greetings Jeff,
Thanks for your post on "Collectible Coins w/ Steve & Don".
I agree w/ you grades (Being a retired teacher) & especially the 'Boring' assessment.
May I suggest doing one on Rick Tomaska's show? (Unless this has already been done.) I have channel surfed all of the cable coin shows and in my opinion Tomaska
would 'grade' a bit higher than Steve & Don.
It seems that in price point comparisons, while Tomaska' prices are still higher than most open markets, including ePay, they are not as high the others on TV.
All the Best,
J.T.

 

I still miss Robert Chambers from The Coin Vault.