Selling Canadian silver coins - question for Ottawans

[RetiredAt63]

I am trying to optimize my finances, I have one more year of helping support daughter at University on my pension.  She also has a part-time job, so I feel OK about giving some support.  Once she has graduated things will be a little less tight.

Anyway, I have a bunch of old silver dollars and 50 cent pieces that I would like to sell (still a little non-mortgage debt hanging around that I want gone).  Most will only be worth the silver but a few may actually be worth something as coins.  General question - how did people who have done this find their best local dealer? And for those in Ottawa, I keep hearing the ads for Recycle Frog, but if you have done this, who did you deal with and how did it go?

Thanks.

[Sparafusile]

Find a local coin shop, take them in, get a quote. Repeat for other coin shops in your area. Take the best offer.

Out of curiosity, what sort of coins do you have? I'm a collector, but don't know much about Canadian coins.

[RetiredAt63]

Hi

I thought about the quotes - will work for those that have coin value, but not so much for silver value if the price is fluctuating.  If they are willing to do it over the phone for silver value I can manage, but for the coin value they will have to see them to see the condition.  None are mint. 

What I have are old silver dollars and 50 cent pieces, all Canadian, going back to the 30's, although most are 50's and 60's.  I have one 5 cent silver coin from the early 1900's, but it is extremely worn and also has sentimental value - it is the only one I plan to keep, I want to make a little shadow box or something for it and display it - any ideas?

[daverobev]

There is a coin shop that I have bought bullion from, but they do the collectible stuff too. It's on. Hmm. Bank and Hunt Club? Let me think...

http://www.universalcoins.ca/ Here you go.

There is also Colonial Acres - they are NOT in Ottawa, but you can post stuff in for them to assess.

[Kazimieras]

Some jewelry stores in the area may be able to point you in the right direction, I'd suggest Howards (on Sparks street). As an aside, I think it is illegal to melt currency for its metal. Not saying that it doesn't happen, but as an fyi.

[RetiredAt63]

Not sure, but they probably sell it back to the Mint.  My sister sold old quarters to a jeweler in Toronto when she moved, she got $13 for 4 silver quarters, not bad.

[daizy744]

I've heard some good things about Ottawa Gold (http://ottawagold.ca) over in Westgate Shopping Centre on Carling. It's a reputable family business.