Posted 08/02/2015 11:05 am
I think the short answer is that either (a) the provenance has been repeatedly communicated from seller to buyer over the years as the coin has moved from collection to collection (sometimes accompanied with charming old collection tags and/or previous dealers' flips), or (b) it is discovered by a current owner through research (by spotting a particular coin in a past auction catalog or on a coin research website or such).
My personal favorite example of the latter was, years ago, spotting one of my coins posted as an example of the type at Parthia.com which, in the blurb there, tied the coin to Tom Mallon's (of the "Coins and History of Asia" website) collection. Thus my coin is an ex-Tom Mallon - a nice pedigree that did not come with the coin when I had purchased it, but was discovered by me through research. When that coin eventually leaves my collection, I will of course include the Mallon reference...just as other important provenance information about other coins I own will pass along with them. I think it is sort of our responsibility as collectors - as temporary caretakers for our coins - to forward such information for the benefit of future owners.
Obviously - and frustratingly for some folks, I guess - provenance is most often not provided for lots by dealers. This is not a reflection on the dealers since provenance for 99% or so of coins is simply not known. Personally, while I love the fact that some of my coins are provenanced (which adds both to my knowledge about them and to their potential resale value), I am not at all bothered that most are not.
My personal favorite example of the latter was, years ago, spotting one of my coins posted as an example of the type at Parthia.com which, in the blurb there, tied the coin to Tom Mallon's (of the "Coins and History of Asia" website) collection. Thus my coin is an ex-Tom Mallon - a nice pedigree that did not come with the coin when I had purchased it, but was discovered by me through research. When that coin eventually leaves my collection, I will of course include the Mallon reference...just as other important provenance information about other coins I own will pass along with them. I think it is sort of our responsibility as collectors - as temporary caretakers for our coins - to forward such information for the benefit of future owners.
Obviously - and frustratingly for some folks, I guess - provenance is most often not provided for lots by dealers. This is not a reflection on the dealers since provenance for 99% or so of coins is simply not known. Personally, while I love the fact that some of my coins are provenanced (which adds both to my knowledge about them and to their potential resale value), I am not at all bothered that most are not.
Edited by Kamnaskires
08/02/2015 11:07 am
08/02/2015 11:07 am
