Coin collecting is a lot like gambling when you get lucky — as I did with this spectacular 1964 Roosevelt dime — won with a $27 bid in Capitol Coin Auction and which graded MS-67+, worth $750.
Here’s how it looked in the Proxibid auction:
Here’s the PCGS certification:
After that jackpot experience, I was intent on finding other high-grade Roosevelt dimes, believing I had the Midas-hobbyist touch
You would think that a coin as large as the Peace dollar, with generous fields, would be easier to grade than most other denominations. But that’s not the case, as they tend to rank as one of the most difficult to grade because so much more than the condition of devices plays a key role in ascertaining a final grade that, perhaps, is not even the final word since so much here is subjective
Before sharing an interview with GreatCollections President Ian Russell concerning his company’s practice of providing honest numismatic photos, I want to discuss the dishonesty and risk of buying coins with altered or poor photos.
Here’s a poor photo of a coin that I took a risk with, bidding based on a Proxibid lot that didn’t capture the true condition
Take a good look at this Morgan roll with a Carson City dollar on one end and an equally brilliant 1879 Morgan on the other (not depicted). Better still, the roll looked like this:
An original bank roll from Carson City, Nevada! … indicating to the inexperienced collector that every coin therein would bear this rare mint mark
I am growing weary reporting exaggerated descriptions in online coin auctions hosted by major portals, such as Proxibid and eBay. While it is difficult for those portals to monitor all lots in multitudes of auctions, it nevertheless hurts the hobby when hyped descriptions are not reported
I am growing weary reporting exaggerated descriptions in online coin auctions hosted by major portals, such as Proxibid and eBay. While it is difficult for those portals to monitor all lots in multitudes of auctions, it nevertheless hurts the hobby when hyped descriptions are not reported
I’m an experienced online coin buyer, blogger, and numismatist, and even I get caught on occasion when auctions do not mention flat bids in their terms of service, which I always read.
In an April 23 session on HiBid
Let me begin by stating that I’m going to focus here on Proxibid, probably the best online venue for estate auctions because of its Unified User Agreement that holds both buyer and auctioneer accountable. You don’t get this type of protection from many other popular portals, including emerging competitor HiBid
Let me begin by stating that I’m going to focus here on Proxibid, probably the best online venue for estate auctions because of its Unified User Agreement that holds both buyer and auctioneer accountable. You don’t get this type of protection from many other popular portals, including emerging competitor HiBid
Earlier this year I wrote an investigative analysis titled “The Volatile State of Online Estate Auctions,” noting how tardy technological upgrades in addition to fees from auction portals and credit card companies—often combined with building rent and/or upkeep of onsite facilities—continued to push buyer premiums ever higher.
Shipping has always been an issue with auction houses
Earlier this year I wrote an investigative analysis titled “The Volatile State of Online Estate Auctions,” noting how tardy technological upgrades in addition to fees from auction portals and credit card companies—often combined with building rent and/or upkeep of onsite facilities—continued to push buyer premiums ever higher.
Shipping has always been an issue with auction houses
Online coin auctions are challenging for buyer, seller, and auctioneer, says Sheena Wallace, who helps run Auctions by Wallace, an onsite and online auction that typically showcases coins each week.
On her website, she notes that her company has “a proven track record when it comes to selling coins
Online coin auctions are challenging for buyer, seller, and auctioneer, says Sheena Wallace, who helps run Auctions by Wallace, an onsite and online auction that typically showcases coins each week.
On her website, she notes that her company has “a proven track record when it comes to selling coins
For the past seven years I have bought and sold coins almost exclusively via the Internet, preferring estate auctions on Proxibid over other venues. I even created a blog, no longer active, called Proxiblog
There is a marked difference between bidding in a live, onsite auction as opposed to an online one on eBay, Proxibid, or another such portal. The advantage of bidding online is an array of coins that will satisfy any collector, from medals and exonumia to ancient and modern coins