Videos - Can they revolutionize the marketplace?
PeakRarities
Posts: 4,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
In the past 20 years, significant advancements have been made to modernize the numismatic marketplace. The internet based coin market has been absolutely thriving, while it seems that the venues for in person transactions have been waning over the years. Rarely do I get to see a coin in hand before I buy it, and I depend on quality photography and expert opinions in order to make a decision on a coin.
I often hear of dissatisfaction among collectors here about "Glamour Shots", or TVs. I can understand how some would prefer a picture that accurately represents the coins in hand appearance, versus a picture that hides flaws and accentuates the coins strengths. Personally, I don't mind true views, as glamorous as they may be, because the resolution is high enough that I can still interpret the photo for contact marks and luster enough to make an informed decision.
My dissatisfaction stems from dealers and organizations who refuse to invest the time or money into photography, especially with non-TV coins. Whether the picture is overexposed, blurry, poorly lit, low res, etc, Im unable to make any determination about the coin, other than the fact that its authentic and housed in a PCGS/NGC slab with a grade. I often use collectors corner to search active listings, and I generally will skip over any listing with poor photography, because my assumption is that the dealer is unwilling to improve, or purposely trying to hide flaws. Without hesitation, I skip every listing with a "Photos available upon request", those organizations that force you to inquire for basic photos will never get my business.
On social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, Videos are all the rage right now. A lot of our own forum members who are active on instagram put out a steady stream of gorgeous coins, from their collection or posted for sale. These videos accurately portrait the overall appearance of the coin, much more than photos could ever do. Sure, you still want to look at quality images to pick up on small contact marks, but in my opinion a video is far superior with respect to luster, color, and vivid toning. On the Facebook Gold BST group, you can often see many YN's leave a comment asking for a video, and most sellers are happy to oblige. I also have requested videos from several reputable dealers who had no issue with it, and I go out of my way to take a nice video when I list a coin for sale.
I would like to see vids become more prevalent in the marketplace, in the name of transparency and customer satisfaction. Even Ebay allows sellers to post videos, and I commend them for offering that feature. Of course, several big auction houses have a feature with a moving image of a coin showing the cartwheel, but those are not as as helpful to me as a actual vid. As you can see by my last newp thread, none of those photos accurately convey the look of that coin, but I can take a 30 second vid with my phone that actually shows what it looks like in hand. As Dave Chappelle says, "Modern problems require modern solutions".
I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions about videos becoming commonplace in numismatics. As a buyer, would you prefer to see more videos offered by dealers and other organizations? Has a video ever helped push you over the edge to make a purchase? As a seller, do you mind taking a ten second video with an iPhone or similar smartphone with a good camera, rotating the coin around to show its appearance from all angles in a good light? For those against it, do you find it to be inconvenient to have to do such a thing? Or do you think that videos might discourage someone from buying some of the coins in your inventory? Would major dealers and auction houses ever be willing to implement the inclusion of a short video of each coin, in addition to the photos, even if it were only for more expensive inventory? All opinions welcome.
-Dan
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The only down side is the data size. When I'm trying to view a couple thousand lots per week, taking the time to watch videos would add significantly to the time it takes.
Definitely like the video thought. Just picked up a coin for several thousand and didn’t like it at all when opening the box. Video would have prevented me from purchasing and yes, the seller used photos that were very deceptive.
I guess if you have a bad coin, you might not want to use video either so there’s always going to be a segment of the market that will inherently stay away even if a new standard arises.
Not for me, just give me a high resolution picture where I can then copy it and then zoom in on it
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
We’re definitely heading that way. I think videos provide a truer representation of the coin. I’m seeing more vids on eBay these days, which is good, as the still photography skills of the average eBay seller (including me) leaves much to be desired.
Dave
Videos are very helpful, especially for toned coins. I try to include one on most items (especially on Instagram since it is so simple there; on eBay I should be more consistent and add them too). Of course some items don't need videos (bullion, most moderns, lower grade coins where there is no luster, etc) and it might not make sense to have them for all items on auction venues (since it would take up a lot of space, time, and just not be cost effective for coins under a certain dollar amount).
I am not into videos, a personal preference. A photo or group of photos give you an idea, and that is all, videos will suffer from the same limitations. There is a seller of Lincoln Cents that uses videos, and I have not watched them and make decisions to buy based on the photos. The vast majority that I have purchased from on eBay did not offer videos, and I am quite fine with that.
Always depends on the photographer/videographer. You see on Instagram these sellers will horrible videos that feature a ball of light glare instead of a coin.
I bought several coins from video recently and those coins had problems that were not seen in the original footage. Lesson learned, video advertisement does not solve all issues. The seller still needs to have reasonable experience to produce a quality video for this method to be effective.
Overall, I agree that videos generally produce a better view over photos. Hiding hairlines and problems is difficult in a video that shows the coin turning in light.
I would only use photos in selling if the coin looked different in hand and needed a more accurate representation than two photos.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
I think you need a combo of high res pictures to see surface condition, and video to understand luster.
While coin photography is well understood, I find it much more difficult to get a decent video.
In-hand video with a good cell phone works most of the time, but I struggle with lighting, and getting enough zoom on smaller coins.
I tried to make a "jig" once that would move a coin around in a repeatable pattern like you would holding in hand to show off the cartwheel. I did this to get an exactly repeatable motion that I could record video with my macro setup. Just cant escape lighting glare. In addition I couldnt ever get the coin to remain in focus with all the movement.
So it would be nice if someone could come up with some reliable method and/or affordable equipment to take nice videos. But cell phone videos are still helpful.
Instagram
Thanks everyone, some valid thoughts here. It seems that the majority are in favor of videos in addition to excellent photography, as am I. I know that on several occasions, a video was able to help me make a decision to buy a coin I was on the fence about.
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Standardized lighting would actually help more than video.
Videos can be awesome and helpful... That being said, I do not always have time to watch videos and in many cases prefer a good photo. I think they both have value and believe they will continue as parallel mediums. Cheers, RickO
Would be amazing. It would settle some issues about photo quality.
I, for example, take horrible photographs but a simple iphone video makes the coin look a whole lot different. Would probably put the buyer at ease and put more money in my pocket.
BHNC #248 … 130 and counting.
I for one would love to see videos, particularly for uncirculated coins. I've bought a few where the straight on photo looked great...then you get them in and there is a scuff or scratch that totally wasn't visible in the one image. I'd watch them for sure.
Most vids I see come with big, fleshy paws holding the slab, kinda detracts from the eye appeal. It seems only the big companies can avoid this with however they are rotating their coins under the light in the vid. Also, alot of effort for most coins, sure a l933 double eagle? Rotate and video it (without the fleshy paws please)........................
And a whole host of other factors for imaging. Some folks out there still seem to think that taking the images in sunlight is the WTG. So this indicates just how bad alot of the numismatic imaging is after decades of practice. Making a jump to vids rotating under a light for all coins? Great but not going to happen in the near term IMO. Seeing in hand, or a great image with a CAC sticker.................................
I’ve never had the opportunity to view a slabbed coin in hand prior to purchase. It’s all online for me. Pictures, provided they’re well taken, do a fine job for the most part. But even still, every 5th or 6th purchase I find myself thinking, “I never would have bought this if I’d seen it in person first.”
So it does seem videos have the potential to close some of the gaps in online coin evaluation.
For me, the ideal would be a few nice high-res photos to really show the surfaces, along with a video to better demonstrate the nature of things like toning, luster, and contact marks.
Videos are great, and can show many things that images cannot. I recently bought a coin based on the strength of a video and was thrilled when I got it.
The spinny things that the auction houses call videos are useless imo.
It would be great to have a PCGS "VideoView" on Cert Verification.
There were some experiments being done by @PCGSPhoto and it would be great to get a status on that.
There is a start up coin firm, E.ScottCoins.com, that is marketing their services to create a professional video of your coins. They are even offering a free trial of their product. I have not tried them but it may be a solution to better coin representation for buying and selling.
I love seeing a quick video of a prospective coin before I buy it. The more ways I can view the coin the better imo.