Keeping Numismatics Alive During The Pandemic

Well, I just got a small ebay purchase today. It was sent from Toronto (I am in Ottawa), so at least some local numismatics is still alive. Meanwhile, my order from Portugal March 18 may well be in limbo.

Excellent!


Bummer.

I have been strolling down the aisles on ebay myself, but I it looks like I might not be buying anything until the silver proof set next Friday.

Same here. Other than takeout and grocery pickup.

Well, my small ebay order from Portugal arrived today, and I am almost a bit surprised. It left Portugal March 23, and for all I know it was the last plane to leave!

So that completed my silly little project, which is (or was) one silver and one copper coin from each year from 1801-2000. Eventually I will do upgrades, as some of those older coins are sacred (holey). I wanted this to be a fun project, not an expensive one.

Next on the agenda is to go backwards from the year 1801, but to make it more manageable I plan to get a single coin of any metal for each DECADE not for each year. Condition of the coins is not that important, as long as the date is legible. Probably I won't pursue this much until we get to "the other side" of this crisis.

I have actually noticed an increase in online sales from my ebay store - I think folks will always have the itch to collect... and I am happy to move the stuff out of my basement!! Interestingly enough, most of my sales are mailed to the US - the weaker Canadian dollar has created real bargains for US collectors of Canadian coins.

I have also noticed some recent auctions lately, for example, the Colonial Acres auction had very strong bidding on many items.

Vest-pocket dealers will survive, brick and mortar coin shops might take a tougher hit, but most I know already have an online presence, and some of them have increased their online activity lately (e.g., Alliance Coin & Banknote with their ebay auctions, here in Ottawa).

I have often made the point that I like to closely examine each item before deciding to buy.
That means face to face with the seller.

Actually, this is more important to a dealer than myself, because his livelyhood depends on making accurate decisions, especially regarding condition and authenticity of everything he re sells, otherwise his business is down the drain.

Like lots of small businesses, they are rally hurting at this time. Potential customers like me don't, won't, can't, or are restricted by public edict from walking through the door.
To me, it is an inconvenience that I can't be actively expanding my collection, by travelling and meeting with dealers, and attending auctions and coin shows.

Much worse for the dealers.

Our sales on Trade Me have been banned since lockdown began on March 26 and essential items only are being posted by NZ Post.

Fortunately several coins I bought around March 20th arrived 2 or 3 days into the lockdown - but then nothing, made up for it by my heavier presence here and on Numista's forum boards (Moneytane there).

Trade Me has all the auctions up and you can bid and add to watchlist, but no auctions closing or being sent until lockdown. I now have 22 coin lots on watchlist! Of course mostly Halfcrowns and Fijian coins which are my latest obsession.

The good thing is I am working and thus accumulating money to have a big coin buy up when lockdown ends!

A couple of auctioneers are finessing buy now so they can send as essential items, but their items are overpriced crap and they will eventually get found out and banned.

I've decided to put buying on hold for the time being due to the pandemic. My only guaranteed purchased for 2020 will be my Mint Set enrollment if/when it is released. However, I am using my extra time to continue the (seemingly) never-ending process of updating my inventory and pictures. And of course spending more time on CCF.