While many people envision a coin dealer as someone making the rounds at trade shows and owning a small operation or storefront through which they acquire and sell collectable coins, in reality they can be dramatically different from this view.
Consider those selling such items as “junk silver coins” and investment grade coins. These are not likely to be the “mom and pop” variety of storefront vendors, but large organizations that can guarantee the quality and pricing of the coins being sold.
As mentioned, the large-scale coin dealer will have everything from American Eagles in silver, gold or platinum and they will also be able to make large bags of junk coins available for investors too.
What are junk coins? After the year 1965 the United States Mint no longer made certain coins from nearly pure silver. They had already transitioned to a 40% blend before that point as well, and now investors seek out collections of these coins with a pre-set face value. For instance, a coin dealer selling the junk coins can offer a bag with a one thousand dollar face value, and this means that there would be something like four thousand quarters or ten thousand dimes dating prior to 1965 in the bag. These bags will be worth the established currency values, but they would also be worth the silver content contained as well.
This means that investors looking strictly to diversify their portfolio through ownership of marketable silver can turn to a reputable coin dealer for such excellent opportunities.