Spink launch Spinkbooks.com - Ironic

[Colin88 54]

Isn’t it ironic that probably the world’s best known coin dealers don’t actually sell any coins on-line. Just books..

[Peckris 579]

Isn’t it ironic that probably the world’s best known coin dealers don’t actually sell any coins on-line. Just books..

And yet, they have a coins section, and a coins tab, and a "Sale by private treaty" section. Just no coins, as you say...

[Nicholas 51]

I remember trawling through the spink coins online shop some time back- fun. But as a business probably not a great idea -nothing ever sold!

[Peckris 579]

I remember trawling through the spink coins online shop some time back- fun. But as a business probably not a great idea -nothing ever sold!

You're forgetting the principle of the "long tail" theory - online economics just don't follow the model of the high street. Since Spink have their own servers already (or need to rent them for their other online presence), then the fact that coins didn't sell would not have cost them anything, apart from the few minutes it would have cost for an employee to put them up on the website. All they'd need to do is circulate the coins every now and then, and it would have helped raise their profile and online presence, as well as giving collectors a few things to drool over. And who knows what seeds might have been sown in the long run, as collectors who start off drooling get more disposable income?

[Nicholas 51]

Point taken. For those watching though, these were the coins that didn't sell in the numismatic circular by and large. Known as the "end-tail" effect!

[TomGoodheart 403]

Ironic? Sad more like. I (probably like others here) bought a few times from the circular and was (am) happy with my purchases. I liked the little red boxes they sent the coins in too!

But last time I looked there were stamps and medals. But coins? No. Then the website got so crap I couldn't use it any more and I've given up. Coupled with my no longer subscribing to the SNC, it's not terribly likely I shall be buying from them again in the near future.

Can it really all be because Paul Dawson was unwell? Whatever the reason, it's a sad comedown I think.

[pokal02 44]

I once saw a nice crown on Spink website & thought I'd buy it in person as I was due to be in Central London the next day anyway. When I got there, I found it was £150 cheaper than the website price (so snapped it up)!

Used to get the Circular regularly but haven't seen one for at least 7 months - not sure it's still being published? They still send me the auction catalogues.