Most of my good ancients have come from a long trusted auctioneer, and I know the guy who authenticates the material, has been doing this for nearly 40 years. I have a good look at the coin in hand on the viewing day.
Before making a decision to buy, I always check the VCOINS and Wildwinds sites for comparative prices, then lodge single price 'phone in bids. I am successful on perhaps 30% of my bids.
I guess my timing sucks, I seem to get into everything when the prices are getting steep... then when I finish the prices drop.
The internet should keep prices down because rarity is almot a thing of the past when you can buy from a world market, but instead bidiots push prices up...and I am thinking in this computer age where kids don't seem interested in physical hobbies maybe coins will go the way of stamps and become a hobby of yesteryear. So long term I am not expecting my collection to gather much value except for my bullion items.
Quote: I just believe prices have suddenly gone higher (especially since steve6x has become an Ancients Numismatist)
That explains it! I have noticed that one ebay seller I use has jumped a bit on his prices--but it was just a gut feeling, since I haven't bought any coins lately.
I also remember our discussions about this seller. For me, he/they are too expensive, about 400% too expensive. I guessed that discounts would be possible but don't think I could be bothered to barter when other coins are out there already at reasonable prices.
I also don't think they are the experts they claim to be - found attribution errors on a few things I have looked at in the past.
I did spot a bargain from them a few months back, a Constantine Sol from Siscia, quite a rare coin. Didn't look like the seller knew this so the coin was priced comparable with all the other Sols, it sold for less than £10.
Quote: I guess my timing sucks, I seem to get into everything when the prices are getting steep... then when I finish the prices drop.
There are cheap coins about David, just getting harder to find them, still lots of UK detectorists selling on ebay, they are the people I mostly try to buy from
Coincidence - just found another Sol from Siscia on his ebay!
[eBayItem]350530415788[/eBayItem]
Not a great coin but OK, as I said above quite scarce from this mint - I've seen them sell for around the $100 mark but I think the $35 price after discount is more 'on the money'.
Compare it to this Constantine Sol from Rome:
[eBayItem]320842338759[/eBayItem]
$150 reduced to $52.50 - no chance, the seller must have been smoking something to arrive at those prices! A common Sol from Rome can be picked up easily for $10-$15, ebay is full of them. I've sold 3 or 4 nicer examples from London (generally more desirable than Rome for these) on ebay in the last few weeks for less than $10.
I suspect most of his customers are 'one time buyers' or beginners with a few experts picking up on the coins they don't realize are genuinely rare and are worth a bit more.
Quote: During his history lesson, it sounds like he was reading it from Wikipedia. lol
He is - hes just 'word-for-worded' whole paragraphs on Aelia Flaccilla in her video, I was reading the wiki page while he was droning on in the background.
Quote: I've sold 3 or 4 nicer examples from London (generally more desirable than Rome for these) on ebay in the last few weeks for less than $10.
If you have more London coins, I might be interested in them in the future. I need every emperor/ruler except Diocletian. Not right now because I'm flat broke. lol
Quote: The prices he sells the coins for are often ridiculous.
I think this should be rephrased. "The prices he asks for coins for are usually ridiculous." That does not mean they sell at those prices (at least, I hope they don't). Once I used "make an offer" and he accepted on a lousy, but very rare, coin (which was misidentifed) and I got it for about 1/6 the (discounted!) asking price. The next time I tried a low, but possibly acceptable, offer on a vastly overpriced coin I got no response. -- Warren
Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited. Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use
First Page
Posted 08/31/2012 8:46 pm
I have noticed that one 
