skip79's Last 20 Posts
| Canadian Coin Auctions - Questions
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
 Posted 03/10/2023 7:40 pm
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I'm getting to this one late...but to answer wallyb's questions:
1. Generally, yes, the consignment commission is the only cost to the seller. However, some auctioneers charge a separate cataloguing fee, or payment processing fee; so you need to ask those questions with each auctioneer you inquire with.
2. I personally would never in a million years sell on eBay. They have long had a history of being biased in favour of buyers, and given the nature of unscrupulous buyers they have, I would never recommend anyone sell on that platform.
3. As for auctions, you would be wise to do your homework. Not all auctioneers are the same. When I decided to start selling some of my coins a few years ago, I inquired with each of the reputable coin auction houses we all know of in Canada, and frankly, none of them inspired me to consign with them. The commissions they charge are outrageous, and I don't find their auction sales formats inspire traditional auction-style bidding behaviours to yield maximized returns. However, I found very satisfactory success with other generalist auctioneers who don't necessarily specialize in coins and currency. That all being said, it also significantly matters about what specific coins you are considering putting up for sale, to help guide/inform your decision.
The social media auction idea coinman91 mentioned is something I hadn't heard of before; most likely because I don't use social media. I'd be open to hearing more about that... |
| | Forum: Canadian Coins and Colonial Tokens |
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| What If We Ignored Grading Altogether?
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/29/2023 10:13 pm
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To answer Silver101's original question: ordinary estate auctioneers have long been doing just that -- albeit the photo quality is up for debate.
Many estate auctioneers (either by deliberate strategy and/or laziness) will even just use the photos and provide no description whatsoever, along with a live preview period to let the bidders examine and make their own determinations; which is frankly more attractive to both bidders and sellers in the basic free-market sense of "the item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it". Accordingly, such auctions also usually open all bids at $1 and everything must go -- which adds a healthy dose of energy into the experience.
But numismatic/collector-market auctioneers generally like to have certified + graded coins as a means of (a) authentication and (b) establishing estimates & opening bids; the latter of which effectively controls/limits the market activity in both price and transaction volume.
I trust my grading skills to know to always buy the coin and never the holder. I've bought countless coins based exclusively off of images. Sure, some were graded, but I make my purchasing decisions based on what my eyes see first and foremost. At the end of the day, I have to be happy with my purchase. My own grading opinion will ultimately drive that purchasing decision. |
| | Forum: Canadian Coin Grading |
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| 1892 Large Cent For Grading
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/25/2023 11:04 am
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Hindsight is a great thing, especially in my case when sober.
Looking at the photos again (more clear minded), I too note the wear is more prevalent than initially observed. I also note what appears to be some mild pitting/corrosion of sorts on the field areas of the reverse.
I therefore amend my earlier cannabis-induced opinion to a VF-30. |
| | Forum: Canadian Coin Grading |
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| 1900 Canada One Cent .
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/20/2023 4:27 pm
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Quote:
Fine 15 , maybe a stretch to VF 20 on a high powered
Coffee day at the grading service!
I'm pretty caffeinated right now, so put me in camp VF-20.  |
| | Forum: Canadian Coin Grading |
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| 1894 Canada Dime Grade Opinion
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/08/2023 10:37 am
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I'll echo the comments about the photos from all, while also proclaiming my own inabilities regarding same...
That all being said, here's my kick at the can...
First thing I notice -- cleaning. Secondly, the wear itself is difficult to pinpoint with precision based on the photos, but I would agree this coin would grade in the EF-AU range, with a "details" designation.
Nice coin! |
| | Forum: Canadian Coin Grading |
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| 1907 Large Cent Grade?
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/04/2023 6:45 pm
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I disclaim I can't fully tell from the photos what marks are on the coin vs. on the flip.
That said, from my eyes it looks like the obverse may have a contact hit in the field to the left of the King, while there also appears to be 2 hairline hits on the reverse fields. If those marks are indeed present, I could see ICCS upholding the original MS-64 cert.
Of course, it also depends on your intentions for the coin. If planning to re-sell and doing a bulk ICCS submission, and if you think in-hand it could kick-back a 65, then give it a shot. If you're keeping it regardless, then does it really matter?
While on the topic though, the other factor about ICCS going forward: is Scott grading solo, or are there others grading there too? Historically I found some inconsistencies between the grading opinions of Brian and Scott, with obvious recognition that Brian's opinion reigned supreme. It's always good to have that second set of eyes for those types of checks and balances, but I don't know if ICCS has that now following Brian's passing... |
| | Forum: Canadian Coin Grading |
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| High Grade 1964 PCGS Silver Dollar On Ebay With Very Active Bidding
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/04/2023 2:43 pm
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I've always found toning to be subjective to the eye of the beholder. It depends on both the coin and the overall appeal it has to a given collector/buyer.
Personally, I have many toned coins in various MS & SP grades, some certified, others self-graded. Some I like, some I don't, while others I'm completely indifferent about the toning entirely. Meanwhile other people may take a more definitive position on toning one way or another; all of which is part of the preferential personalized choices that makes the hobby enjoyable. 
Notwithstanding, grading toned coins can be quite challenging to the untrained eye. The seller (or whomever submitted this coin for certification) clearly had the eye for it to take that TPG chance, and because of it, we're seeing this seller's beneficial outcome unfolding in a free market where buyer motivation will ultimately dictate the price. Obviously, this seller attracted some motivated buyers on this one, and I believe that TPG certification was a leading catalyst for the multi-bidder interest we're seeing. Good for them and I hope both resulting parties in that forthcoming transaction are satisfied -- which, at the end of the day, is all that really matters.
Every buyer is not necessarily an informed collector, while every collector is not necessarily an informed buyer. Every seller, however, desires an optimized return, regardless of how informed any party is. |
| | Forum: Canadian Coins and Colonial Tokens |
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| High Grade 1964 PCGS Silver Dollar On Ebay With Very Active Bidding
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/03/2023 8:20 pm
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 As Pacific said, the grading game is about taking shots (after doing your homework, of course). I do the exact same thing. I study the coin and understand the grading methodologies of the TPGs, and whenever I find the right grade or variety worthy of submission, I take that chance.
When I take those chances to certify items that I've weeded out from my various hunts, I'm generally pleased when they come back 9 times out of 10. Even in those rare instances where I vehemently disagreed with a grade or attribution, I use to take them directly to Brian Cornwell (RIP) to re-examine, and he generally agreed with me and made the corrections.
I have long found Trends and Charlton prices to be merely speculated values that have never resembled my lived experiences whether buying or selling. But from my observation, more often than not a buyer will buy a certified coin that says MS-65 or higher, regardless of all else -- even price!
The grading game is a fun game, provided you do your homework and know what to look for; and I think this referenced ebay seller knew exactly what he/she was doing. |
| | Forum: Canadian Coins and Colonial Tokens |
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| 1945 "V" 5 Cents.growth On Kg-Vi's Head
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skip79
Valued Member
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted 01/03/2023 09:31 am
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Thanks John1, I think your suggestion of RIDB is certainly the most plausible explanation given the raised unique element on the obverse. I also note the reverse has a few areas with extra metal that I believe are part of the more commonly known die chips, perhaps adding support to the possibility of the coin being a RIDB?
I'm don't know if it would be a struck-through error, largely because I find those errors don't generally result in raised features with consistent form (except, maybe a retained strike-through, but I can't think of anything other than a piece of thread causing a design result like that).
So far, I think RIDB is the leading theory on this one. Any other thoughts/suggestions out there?
The coin's error is quite captivating in-hand, more pronounced given the coin's overall MS condition. I wish I had better photo and editing skills/patience to demonstrate the coin better for you all... |
| | Forum: Canadian Variety and Error Coins |
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