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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,288 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Compare these two sales results: Today: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...:WNA:US:1123May 2012: http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=582736Do the coins look more than a little similar? Can you make money buying at a big auction in May and selling on ebay in September? Now, when someone comes to CCF and asks us to tell them how much their coin is worth and we can't agree within $50, are we being ignorant, difficult or just realistic? What made the difference here? Was it that a buyer n ebay discounted the coin for poor reverse centering (even mentioned that the snake was off flan in the listing!)? Are ebay buyers more sensitive to poor style on the obverse than they are to a nice face on the lion? Is it that big companies get more for coins than little guys? Is it all just random? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I had this coin in my watch list, but choose not to bid (too many other irons in the fire). Your questions are good ones. I have often wondered why a large auction house, i.e., CNG, can garner such high bids, when, either on ebay or with smaller dealers, the same type coin can sell for much less. I do understand that reputable dealers can and should get a higher price, but even comparing CNG to other smaller dealers/sellers on Vcoins shows huge differences in pricing. But, even having said all of that, I think we can generally come to a close consensus on the general worth of most coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
My thoughts are that auctions are unpredictable. On ebay if lots of people like a coin it can get much more than its value... if few people like a coin then generally someone who knows it is undervalued will try and get it cheap. Maybe the intention was to buy this coin in auction thinking he could make some profit on it selling it retail or with a particular customer in mind. Having sat on it for 4-5 months and no one showing any interest he thought he would ebay it to get his money back (taking a bit of a gamble) Maybe he tried ebaying it with a buy-it-now price for which it didn't sell and decided to cut his losses by setting a no reserve auction. What something is "worth" and what it sells for are two very different things. To me what something is "worth" is the price you can get instantly for it from a dealer or instantly somewhere. What something sells for however can be much higher but involves waiting around a coniderable time. We have all seen those antiques programs on TV where experts search the car boot sales and enter the items into auction... as you see the results can be very hit or miss. Edited by DavidUK
09/16/2012 7:34 pm
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Valued Member
Ireland
86 Posts |
I think a coin (or anything else for that matter) is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. I like DavidUK's analogy of Antique Roadshow-type programmes. The experts confidently value a piece, and are subsequently dismayed when it doesn't fetch that piece. It's not that they were incorrect in their valuation; simply that the punters in the room at the time didn't want to spend that much on the item. A different room with a different crowd and the item could have achieved twice its estimate. I have just bought a really nice coin on ebay. I got if for about €3. I don't know much about coin values, but I'm pretty certain that I got a bargain. And it was probably down to a combination of factors...lack of views, buyers interested in other coins. That's my tuppence anyway. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
I got if for about €3 Generally, I would say just about any Ancient that's not a slug is worth at a minimum 3GBP. If one of the coins you showed on the other thread is one you purchased for 3GBP, you done very well, my friend. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Unfortunately, when we see coins that reappear for sale after a previous auction, we have to ask ourselves if the coin was originally in a "details" or problem slab. People have been buying slabbed coins labeled as cleaned, scratched, damaged, etc and breaking them out.
Edited by Drsandman2
09/16/2012 9:48 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1549 Posts |
This coin proved more interesting to me than I had planned not because of the coin (which I did not want due to the missing snake although it was well worth the ebay realization IMHO) but because of the online catalog. Many of us will never participate in this level sale but we can enjoy looking at the catalog: http://images.goldbergauctions.com/...ng=1&sale=69Ancients are in section 7. The photos are excellent and prices vary from what I would call 'deals' to proof that some collectors out there have too much disposable income. Many really high prices were truly exceptional coins which should bring those prices. The more interesting ones were, to me, the lower end things. Still nice coins, they brought less than we see asked online (where I assume you will see these same coins next). While not photographed, there were many bulk lots including coins nicer than some of us will be likely to own. Most interesting to me, however, were the number of lots that went unsold (usually for failing to make a reasonable opening bid). You might compare some of these at their estimates with the overpriced items we see from some sellers on ebay and ask why no one was willing to pay the estimate. The sale is over so even the most spendthrift of you can emerge unharmed. I suggest that the study of auction catalogs is a worthwhile hobby for those who enjoy learning about coins that they will not own or that they are not yet ready to own. Printed catalogs are getting expensive to produce and not as freely given as they once were. Online sales like this one are a great resource for those of us who enjoy window shopping and might serve as a limit if we are tempted to buy damaged and ugly examples of the same coins. This sale has a nice run of Roman Republican denarius types that you might someday want to own. They also show what is available just in case we are tempted to listen to those who would suggest that ancient coins are supposed to look like trash so we should pay them high prices for coins that they are offering. I commend the catalogers and photographers that produced such a fine and free online resource. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
wow, that was fun to look at...thanks for posting dougs.
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
Those are some beautiful coins. I am always amazed at the level of detail on some of those 300-400BC coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
Many people consider the 'Classical' period of the 300's BC to be the height of Greek art including coins. There are some of us that like the earlier things better. There is quite a bit of variety both in die cutting and striking quality but the best from that period are generally the highest priced and most sought after coins. When we are just windowshopping, we can be very selective and online resources like this are a great place to windowshop.
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
=> absolutely awesome info/auction link (thanks)  |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
The 'Classical' coins are stunning, but I am more impressed by the almost as beautiful ones from the 400's BC. They are a bit pricey for me to start getting into, but I do like drooling on them.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,288 |
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Posted 09/16/2012 7:33 pm
