The coin market

[Peter 615]

I've been a paying collector since the age of 14 ish (farthing specialist & a few other names)....I'm now in my 40,s...but where is my hobby going . I collect for pleasure foremost.

I grin but grimmace when i see a vf cupro nickel coin go for .99p plus £1.99 postage...I'm sick to the stomach when I miss a variety 1/4d over a few £'s.

Hammerered are completly crazy...buy from detectoristists with poor cameras....I can see the archeologists view when you get complete twats with no appreciation for history selling on ebay...but is the whole cycle something we must get used to.

My main point is that I have just received a list from a respected dealer who I have purchased off in the past and his prices are....Whoooosh.

I just file it away.....obviously Ebay sets standards but blimey.

[Geordie582 18]

I agree - to a point. Some of the 'reputable' dealers are riding high, with prices to match. And now I find that ebay, to some extent, is trying to match the dealers. Perhaps they use the dealer's site as a reference for the price ceiling?

[Rob 3,152]

Prices are going higher because more people are buying at the main auctions which is where many pieces, and certainly the quality ones are purchased by dealers. They have to make a turn which increases the cost to those who don't attend auctions and buy from dealers. With attending in person, even if you normally ask someone to bid on commission at say 5%, the cost of going to London for the day is typically paid for by the commssion saved on little more than a £1K purchase and you can check the whole of your want's list under a glass. This is far better than relying on a photo and someone else's judgement. The only down side is that you may be tempted to overbid to get that piece.

[Sylvester 15]

I've long said that Ebay's rubbish for hammered coins.

[Peter 615]

With hammered I no longer buy blind so its Ebay or Coin fairs ( & a few online dealers.)

I have got a few beauties off Ebay (spot the detectorist with a poor camera) for peanuts.

Ebay is home to a lot of new material to the market so it can't be ignored.

[Geordie582 18]

So it's you I'm bidding against?!?!

[Rob 3,152]

So it's you I'm bidding against?!?!

Geordie - I think you will find we are all bidding against each other. Sorry about Sunday's halfpenny

[Sylvester 15]

Ah but you don't come across much quality Anglo-Saxon or Norman stuff on Ebay. Ed Confess & Æth Unready excluded of course.