What do I need to know for my first ever swap?

Hi,
I am about to do the first swap on this site and I wanted to know how does it really work?
Once we agree the coins to swap, what happens next?
How can I be sure I will get the coins?
Thanks in advance,
dinda

PS: Happy to swap Spanish/Mexican/Venezuelan silver coins for foreign ones I do not have yet (similar value)

It's pretty simple. You agree on the coins, then hit confirm on the swap, swap postage details and let the packages fly!

To not get scammed, I'd stick to people with a lot of feedback to begin with, as you'll probably have to send your coins first as a new member. Scammers are a small minority, but they do exist. As long as you're a bit careful you should have no problems.

Nice 1/2 escudo's by the way. I'd love to see pics of your spanish silver/gold collection from 1700-1850 at some point if you get the chance

Hello and welcome!

Just a few tips how to get started:

1) First off try swapping with veteran members that have good feedback and communicate well, since you're new they'll probably ask you to send first but it's the safest option to make sure you don't get scammed. If someone with no feedback and without any communication checks high priced coins that's always a sign of a potential scam.
2) Start off small and build trust. You have some high value coins like your gold 4 Florins, I recommend holding off on swapping that until you already had a few successful swaps with your potential partner and completely trust him. Also, I recommend using registered post for high value swaps to avoid potential problems.
3) Pack your coins well so that the post office can't tell what's inside your package or letter, best thing is to put coins between cardboard. Also, don't put tape on the coins, put something between the coins and tape as it leaves residue.

If you're careful Numista is a great site to increase your collection, good luck!

Thank you both for your comments, much appreciated!

Read everything carefully and know that you understand it before you click.

I'm looking forward to my first swap too, so I hope the OP wouldn't mind a mild thread hijack. :)

What if I want to exchange one in-demand coin for several identical common coins? I've played with the swap menu, but it doesn't let you select quantities. Either I'm doing something wrong, or the only way to request multiples of the same coin is by messaging the other person. Help?

Quote: "Platypus"​I'm looking forward to my first swap too, so I hope the OP wouldn't mind a mild thread hijack. :)
​
​What if I want to exchange one in-demand coin for several identical common coins? I've played with the swap menu, but it doesn't let you select quantities. Either I'm doing something wrong, or the only way to request multiples of the same coin is by messaging the other person. Help?

(I think) ​you should be able to add more of an identical coin by going to the "get more coins" option after you have started the swap. But if you want 10 more coins you have to do it 10 times. Or a note saying "I want 10" should work too.

Holy cow, that worked! Thanks!

...what a remarkably counter-intuitive design haha

I already made my swap proposal. Please take a look. Note, until some trustful number of swaps (30-50) you will be asked to send coins first! Be careful and don't let to cheat You! Good luck in hunting of coins and wish You excellent time with Numista community!

I agree with all the other hints and tips but I have one essential ingredient for a good swap and that is communication. You need to be able to converse with your swap partner (Google Translate often works for me) and you will get a feel if the swap feels right or not. Also, if new members select their first swaps carefully as has been suggested then you will often find that a more experienced member would be happy to help a 'noob' find their feet.

Hi

I am fairly new to the site - joined in April this year - and have made 10 successful swaps - three with the same member in Romania and also as far apart as Ukraine Slovenia Australia Spain Netherlands UK. Only one member asked me to send coins first but I understand until you have some positive feedback this is not unreasonable.

Most members seem happy to do one for one swaps. I check carefully the Numista rarity value before adding coins to a swap as obviously I would not expect to receive a rare coin in exchange for a very common coin.

Be patient, too. I have only received replies from around 50% of members I have made an offer to and overall made only about 1 in 3 exchanges to offers.

best of luck - this is a great site!

Adam

Hi,

you have to be very careful and make sure you know the value of ALL your beautiful coins!

Print out the excel trade offers from everybody and check the value of the offered coins.

Never, never accept a 1:1 offer. Your coins are too valuable for that. Yes, I had a look at your list and yes, you have plenty I would like although I already have some 37.000 different coins in my collection, but I have little to swap against YOUR coins, so I'll not make an offer. Anyway I mostly collect circulation coins and not commemoratives.

Que tienes suerte en tus intercambios.

Saludos de Ole