Do we have a coin flea market in Manila? I remember Mabini especially the office of the PNAS where collector go during Sundays to buy, sell, trade and talk about the hobby.

In Spain we have a very old tradition of coins and stamps flea market in different cities and it is a tourist attraction as well, like in Madrid, we have the Plaza Mayor in the center, where you can buy, sell and trade coins, stamps and antiques during Sundays and holidays. Thse coins flea market are very famous and most sellers are retired collectors.
Shouldn't we have one in Manila, like say Fort Santiago where dealers can go and sell to foreign tourist and locals, flea market style.

Hi MGT, I think the coin flea market now usually happens everytime there is an auction of different clubs like PNAS, BNSP and Bayanihan. Yeah, it would be better if there is a weekly flea market. Maybe through this forum we could start a group to have a small weekly gathering. What can you say about it?

Before there were still plenty of coins that can be found in Aranque & Quiapo but recently, supply of old coins especially silver and gold coins dropped. Even local coin dealers are struggling to locate hoards. Most collectors here like myself are diverting to alternative collections just to keep phase with the hobby. It is much cheaper buying on ebay and overseas.

FN

MGT, most of the coin collectors now here in Manila specifically, tend to collect other collectible items like stamps (as the stamps now here is so cheap), vintage bottles, coca cola collectibles, paper ephemera etc. I agree with FM, there are local hoarders of coins and yes, sometimes it is better to buy from ebay. What I usually do is hunting from my friends' house and ask for referrals. I also contacting people from the provinces. Some of Manila based collectors and dealers go to provinces in search of these coins (and other collectibles).

Prices of coins locally is much higher than buying on ebay US.

coolacoin,

yes it is cheaper to buy from ebay US than the quotes i see from philippines sellers.

Tried buying there but the shipping cost was enormous. Most dealers doesn't even want to ship abroad.

Yep, I agree with that, also I think that local prices, have built in allowance for bargaining or "tawad" that is so common here.

So as not to disappoint the seller, I usually bargain, but still... I wonder why I still get it at the price I bargained for?