Cameo Coins & Collectibles

cameo coins has always been very helpful and friendly with me for about the past ten years i've lived here in the northern va area. i will recommend them to anyone interested in the coin collecting hobby. i think anyone who has not given them a good rating is probably someone who had a bad attitude to begin with. whether i'm buying coins or selling, they have been very fair in their prices. what people have to remember is that this is not just a hobby, its a business. they are not going to buy anything if they can't make money off of it. they are very reputable and will continue to have my business.-don

Posted 11/04/09 | Report Abuse

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I have done business with Cameo on multiple occasions. But they *constantly* try to take advantage of people. For example, they will sell gold at a significant premium to spot, but they will also try to underpay someone who bring in coins, pocketing a 15-20% spread or more.

This is not an honest business practice -- it is an attempt to rip off one's customers. I suggest you avoid this place unless you have nowhere else to go. Also be prepared to walk away if they do not give you a fair deal.

Recently I had an better experience with Coins of the Realm in Maryland, but this is a bit of a drive. However, they gave me an honest deal, and were very friendly, unlike Cameo who are perpetually trying to screw me when I am selling gold or silver.

Call around and see who gives you the best deal, and don't be pushed around by the jerks at Cameo.

Posted 10/30/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I recently purchased some coins sets as gifts for friends and family from Cameo. Their selection is excellent. I've been dealing with Cameo Coins for quite awhile. When I first started they helped me "clean up" my collection as well as "educated" me on the purchasing and proper care for my collection. They have suggested ideas for gifts for my (grown) children.
They have, in my opinion, the best selection of quality coins and currency in the area. Their prices are very fair. I have checked other establishments inventory and prices. They do not buy or sell cleaned or over graded coins as some stores do.
I would highly recommend this store to anyone who wants to build a nice collection or even sell original quality coins. I would suggest that anyone wanting to start or learn about coin collecting sit down with the owner and learn.

Posted 10/06/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Cherry Picking: (numismatics), searching for select coins, most commonly used in searching for varieties (loosely defined).

I have been collecting coins for 50 years.

I had an opportunity to shop at Cameo Coins some time back when I was helping a friend buy some proof sets to give as gifts. I have been a coin collector for many many years and wanted to ensure my friend got the nicest sets available at the store, instead of taking the one set handed to us I asked to see all the sets so I could pick examples that were spot-free. The comment made by the staff member was, "so you want to cherry pick us." He then looked over to another person as to get approval to let me look at other sets. Yes, they did let me select the sets I wanted, but I didn't get the feeling that the "cherry picking" comment was made in jest. I felt their prices were reasonable and the products I purchased were nice (yes, cherry picked).

My advice to anyone buying coins is DON'T BE AFRAID TO CHERRY PICK. You are spending your money and you deserve to be able to look at all the product just like at a car dealership. If they had not let me look through all their set I would have gone elsewhere. Don't settle for just the one coin they give you, ask to see others in the stock. If you like the one you are looking at and feel the price is fair, then buy it.

I agree with the person who wanted other quotes. I remember once when selling a 1921 Peace Dollar I went to Edmond Coins in Edmond OK. I was upset when they told me it was an AU-55 as I had purchased it from Edmond Coins a year earlier as a MS 63. (The coin shop at one time was a coin collector friendly shop and is now a big bullion type store). Well, I refused their offer and went to Brown's Coins (owner's father was the famous Brown of Brown and Dunn grading), he looked at the coin for 10 seconds and offered me MS63 money.

Moral to the story, it is your money or your coins, make sure you are satisfied with the price.

Dr. John

Posted 09/11/09 | Report Abuse

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I've had two interactions with Cameo - 1 as a buyer and 1 as a potential seller. When buying they were very helpful and informative and do have some nice pieces.When selling, however, they acted much like Mary C's comments. They were abrupt, condescending (making an effort to point out every flaw on coins that were MS graded) and built a case that my NGC certified coins were not accurately graded and stated they were as much as 3 grades below the stated grade in order to "offer" a better price. Oddly enough they seem to have dozens of NGC graded coins in their cases. I am not totally clueless with coins and know they were not being honest on the grading in order to obtain better pricing.I will never deal with them again.

Posted 06/29/09 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I am a medical professional who took my day off to have some coins appraised, which I inherited from my father, who recently passed away. I am not a coin collector and know nothing about pricing. Cameo coins was most unhelpful. The only comments I got were "too bad this one is polished" and "this one is worn on the edge." I was then presented with a monetary quote. I responded I wanted to obtain other quotes. The man, he never did introduce himself, then stated "don't come back when you get a lower price, I mean it. " I was shocked. Last time I checked, most people I know don't just go with the first quoted price or the first bid to get work done - unless they are dim witted. I said thank you and left the store. I proceeded to Golden Eagle Coin in Laurel, MD. I was treated with respect, given a good education about my coins and why they are worth what they are worth and was not made to feel like an idiot. They also came in almost $100.00 more with their quote. They also offered me condolences for my father's death. I am not a whiner and I deal with the public professionally. I plan to never stop in Cameo Coins again and will certainly never recommend them to anyone.

Posted 03/13/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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By Rowena M. I was asked by friends to find a cameo to give as a retirement gift to a beloved coworker. After shopping for days with no luck, I found this place in the yellow pages. When I saw their collection, I admired the variety and quality of their cameos. Prices were so good that I bought a cameo for myself too. John and Ethel are very knowledgeable and helpful. They also have an extensive collection of coins. You'll find treasures for yourself or your friends!

Posted 05/08/06 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I went to this store for the first time last week and was looking for a 1955 coin and called ahead and they had one. I was very impressed when I got there everything was displayed and organization very well and the jewelry there they made alot of it themselves - quality stuff and staff was great - I definelty will go back to this place

Posted 11/09/05 | Report Abuse

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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