Houston Coin Exchange

Collector notes

Visiting a coin shop

A few notes before you walk into Houston Coin Exchange in Houston, TX. 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

   Do not crack a graded holder in the shop

   PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and CAC holders are part of the product. Opening one at the counter to “see it better” can wreck the value. If you want it out, that is a decision you make at home, not a demonstration.

2. 02

   You do not have to announce what you paid

   “I have three thousand in this” is not a grade or a melt value. It puts the dealer on defense and does not change what the coin is. Tell them what it is, where it came from if that matters, and what you want to do. Let the piece speak, then talk numbers.

3. 03

   Know roughly what you brought

   You do not need to be an expert. A simple list — silver dollars, a few proofs, a bag of wheat cents — helps. “I have no idea, you tell me” on a mixed box is fine once. It is harder when the box is huge and you cannot say what you want out of the visit.

4. 04

   A hold is a promise. Mean it.

   If they hold a coin for you, ask how long and how you pay. Come back or call. Do not park the same piece at two shops. Dealers remember the customer who used a hold as a free option. They also remember the one who did what they said.

5. 05

   This is a working shop, not a museum desk

   They will talk coins. They will not give a free seminar on forty pieces while a line forms. Pick your best questions. Buy a book if you want to learn the series. A dealer who teaches a little is being generous with the clock.