Every so often I see something that strikes me as interesting enough that, if it's reasonable enough, I buy it. The 2001 Canadian proof set, with the only 3 cent coin Canada has ever minted (silver plated with gold), reproduction 150 year anniversary stamp, and gold plated bronze stamp reproduction seemed to hit my "coolness" brain center, so I bought one, and the 3 cent piece is magnificent. I wish they had encapsulated the gold/bronze stamp as it fell out of the case way too easily and was marred a bit, so I'm looking for a good deal on another one. Example proof set at
ebay item 564a5d1f22.
Anyway, while I was looking, I came across another metal reproduction stamp, only this one is silver. The seller is asking a hefty amount for it and that led me to assume (shame on me) that it was
RCM. Fortunately, I wrote and asked questions. Now if you wait and watch, you can buy the proof set from the
RCM for a bit over $20 Canadian. The silver "stamp" is listed at $69.99, OBO, which is a hefty $49.99 over $20, if you can find it for that (which I did). I emailed him and asked questions, like where it was manufactured (I had doubts because the high-res photos just don't look that sharp). He said it was from a set made in 1970 by a company called "Excelsior", which I can't find any references to online. In his email, he states that he doubts it is worth more than melt value, but he's still keeping the price high, I suppose due to sellers listing the Canadian proofs way too high. I know Canadian proofs are all over the place, and if one is patient, there are bargains to be had.
Have any of you heard of Excelsior, and if you have, do they maintain value?
Any other words of advice?
Jim
Posted 07/13/2014 02:30 am
