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Rare Coin Wholesalers

willywilly Posts: 331 ✭✭✭✭✭

Question are they actual sellers of coins or is it a high end collector that just likes to list his coins. I get there weekly email with there inventory list and nothing ever seems to sell. Lots of high priced coins, not sure if they are wholesalers to other dealers if so they must discount a lot from there list prices. Just strange that the inventory that I follow never seems to change.

The website and email list contain some really nice high end coins.

Comments

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,624 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They're a major dealer that does wholesale and retail business.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Baylor8670Baylor8670 Posts: 94 ✭✭✭

    I wish I was cool enough to be a former owner of the King of Siam proof set

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,361 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They charge top dollar for top end coins.

    Definitely a niche market that takes time to find the right buyers.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,310 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    They charge top dollar for top end coins.

    Definitely a niche market that takes time to find the right buyers.

    There is a difference between top dollar and grossly overpriced. I'd wager that the public facing prices have nothing to do with what their coins actually sell for, if the company even wants them to sell.

    Coin Photographer.

  • edwardjulioedwardjulio Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 10, 2024 9:38AM

    .

    End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,361 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @FlyingAl said:

    @Walkerfan said:
    They charge top dollar for top end coins.

    Definitely a niche market that takes time to find the right buyers.

    There is a difference between top dollar and grossly overpriced. I'd wager that the public facing prices have nothing to do with what their coins actually sell for, if the company even wants them to sell.

    Almost all companies do this.

    They leave 'wiggle room' to haggle and negotiate.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • Eldorado9Eldorado9 Posts: 2,339 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've been an active buyer for a number of years, never purchased anything from them. Whoever their clientele is, it's not guys like me.

  • willywilly Posts: 331 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I was interested in a number of higher end coins for my Type set but the pricing they have them at was so high that I never even called them. Maybe that was a mistake on my part. Found what I needed later with better quality at cheaper prices in Auctions.

  • My guess is that many of their coins are owned by their investment funds. Therefore there is no pressure to sell. The coins may sit there for years. I don’t believe they do shows any more, but they are active participants in auctions.

  • retirednowretirednow Posts: 546 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have acquird a couple over the years from Mark ... I make an offer and some times it works , sometimes I notch up as they come down but many other times it was just a nice chat and we say good bye till the next time. They have large inventory and apparently they are not cash strap and willing to hold on to get the very best price, even if it 50% more than there cost.

    OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
    I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!

  • Baylor8670Baylor8670 Posts: 94 ✭✭✭

    @SeattleSlammer said:
    They’ve got this listed on the Bay for 1.7 Million, and if I had Elon money I’d probably just Buy It Now the same way I buy an eye appealing $400 Morgan widget ‘just for fun.’

    It moved

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,063 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @SeattleSlammer said:
    They’ve got this listed on the Bay for 1.7 Million, and if I had Elon money I’d probably just Buy It Now the same way I buy an eye appealing $400 Morgan widget ‘just for fun.’

    Going by the true rarity of an 1862 $20 Proof gold piece in that grade, $1.7 million does not sound ridiculous. But you have to be THAT collector.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You'd think for that price they'd get a fresh CAC sticker.

  • FlyingAlFlyingAl Posts: 3,310 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PeakRarities said:

    @ProofCollection said:
    You'd think for that price they'd get a fresh CAC sticker.

    😆

    Coin grade - PR 65+ DCAM

    Stickergrade - G6

    I was thinking more "Details - Tilted" personally.

    Coin Photographer.

  • davewesendavewesen Posts: 6,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I am not sure where you are seeing prices you mention. If on eBay, some sellers use that platform for advertising. They do not expect many sales from there, but to get many more highly interested leads.

    If you are interested in buying a coin over $XXXXX on eBay, you should search to find out about their company and if they have a website or other contact info on the web. By giving them a call, you almost always can get a better price or terms than what is shown on eBay as a sale would no longer need to give eBay their cut.

  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,273 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 11, 2024 9:00AM

    At certain shows setup there is a wholesaler who has a shop selling slabbed material at bid or bid plus 5pct. I always try pick up a few b4 public admitted. That way if sales horrible I had at least a decent buying show.

    Coins & Currency
  • fathomfathom Posts: 1,726 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There are times you can look at a coin, and then the price and say:

    "there's a whole bunch of other stuff I would rather have".

  • TiborTibor Posts: 3,576 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.
    They at one time also owned the LEGEND 1794 dollar if I'm
    not mistaken.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,238 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tibor said:
    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.

    Sounds like they are crack-out artists who maximize the grades of the slabbed coins that they sell. Not sure if that's a good thing for the customers who buy their maxed-out slabbed coins.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tibor said:
    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.

    Sounds like they are crack-out artists who maximize the grades of the slabbed coins that they sell. Not sure if that's a good thing for the customers who buy their maxed-out slabbed coins.

    If maxed-out means accurate, what's wrong with accurate grades?
    Customers of course like under-graded coins (or more accurately, under-priced coins) but there's nothing wrong with getting coins into the holders they deserve.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,238 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @Tibor said:
    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.

    Sounds like they are crack-out artists who maximize the grades of the slabbed coins that they sell. Not sure if that's a good thing for the customers who buy their maxed-out slabbed coins.

    If maxed-out means accurate, what's wrong with accurate grades?
    Customers of course like under-graded coins (or more accurately, under-priced coins) but there's nothing wrong with getting coins into the holders they deserve.

    Who's to say that the coins that they're cracking out weren't already accurately graded? Taking A level coins and resubmitting them until they get the next higher grade as C level coins results in a lot of maxed-out coins. Two garbage bags full of slab labels has to be an incredible number of crack-outs.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • dhikewhitneydhikewhitney Posts: 466 ✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    Maybe they should change their name to Rare Coin Retailers. ;)

    I'm persuaded they buy at or below wholesale. It's just good business.

  • tcollectstcollects Posts: 1,073 ✭✭✭✭✭

    it's a funny ironic name

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,827 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 11, 2024 4:17PM

    @PerryHall said:

    @ProofCollection said:

    @Tibor said:
    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.

    Sounds like they are crack-out artists who maximize the grades of the slabbed coins that they sell. Not sure if that's a good thing for the customers who buy their maxed-out slabbed coins.

    If maxed-out means accurate, what's wrong with accurate grades?
    Customers of course like under-graded coins (or more accurately, under-priced coins) but there's nothing wrong with getting coins into the holders they deserve.

    Who's to say that the coins that they're cracking out weren't already accurately graded? Taking A level coins and resubmitting them until they get the next higher grade as C level coins results in a lot of maxed-out coins. Two garbage bags full of slab labels has to be an incredible number of crack-outs.

    Crackouts are just an inherent segment of this industry though. It’s not exactly a cake walk to make a living in coins, for some dealers grading and upgrades might be their primary revenue stream. Others like myself will occasionally crack something but in my area of focus, grade is of lesser focus than other characteristics. At the end of the day, none of us want to leave money on the table so I can’t hold anyone in contempt for utilizing their skills. Now when a dealer is doctoring all the coins before they resubmit, that’s what chaps my arse.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • WalkerloverWalkerlover Posts: 891 ✭✭✭✭

    @SeattleSlammer said:
    They’ve got this listed on the Bay for 1.7 Million, and if I had Elon money I’d probably just Buy It Now the same way I buy an eye appealing $400 Morgan widget ‘just for fun.’

    it’s amazing to me the quality of this coin that the mint could produce in 1860. Never thought it possible that the mint back in 1860 could make such high quality coins

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,263 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 11, 2024 9:23PM

    @PerryHall said:

    @ProofCollection said:

    @Tibor said:
    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.

    Sounds like they are crack-out artists who maximize the grades of the slabbed coins that they sell. Not sure if that's a good thing for the customers who buy their maxed-out slabbed coins.

    If maxed-out means accurate, what's wrong with accurate grades?
    Customers of course like under-graded coins (or more accurately, under-priced coins) but there's nothing wrong with getting coins into the holders they deserve.

    Who's to say that the coins that they're cracking out weren't already accurately graded? Taking A level coins and resubmitting them until they get the next higher grade as C level coins results in a lot of maxed-out coins. Two garbage bags full of slab labels has to be an incredible number of crack-outs.

    @PerryHall didn't say overgraded coins. He said "maxed-out slabs" which implies that they are graded at the highest grade the coins legitimately qualify for. Playing the crackout game in the hopes of achieving an "over-grade" is a losing proposition.

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @dhikewhitney said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Maybe they should change their name to Rare Coin Retailers. ;)

    I'm persuaded they buy at or below wholesale. It's just good business.

    I just wonder who sells to them? Because a coin company that sells coins at wholesale prices has to acquire the far below wholesale.

  • TiborTibor Posts: 3,576 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection I never said anything about over graded coins or "maxed out slabs". I wrote about the cracked out inserts from PCGS and NGC. I also wrote about the 1794 LEGEND dollar.> @Tibor said:

    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.
    They at one time also owned the LEGEND 1794 dollar if I'm
    not mistaken.

  • skier07skier07 Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Gee. I thought they were a museum.

  • earlyAurumearlyAurum Posts: 730 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In what I collect (early gold), they seem to buy the holder and not the coin. They then list at very high prices and the inventory has a long average life. Doesn’t feel like a good business model and isn’t one that caters to astute, passionate collectors. Just my view.

  • retirednowretirednow Posts: 546 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @dhikewhitney said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Maybe they should change their name to Rare Coin Retailers. ;)

    I'm persuaded they buy at or below wholesale. It's just good business.

    I just wonder who sells to them? Because a coin company that sells coins at wholesale prices has to acquire the far below wholesale.

    One can track several of their pieces back to Stacks or Heriatge Auctions... they seem to pick up pieces they believe have more potential and they list it at or above that value. They have a huge inventory ... I think they also treat it as their personnal collection

    OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
    I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!

  • DisneyFanDisneyFan Posts: 2,098 ✭✭✭✭✭

    They appear to appeal to high net worth investors. Do they have a buyback policy?

  • Again, many of their coins are owned by their investment funds. Check their website for investment funds. My question in a previous thread was how do they value their funds. Are they audited?

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,263 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Tibor said:
    @ProofCollection I never said anything about over graded coins or "maxed out slabs". I wrote about the cracked out inserts from PCGS and NGC. I also wrote about the 1794 LEGEND dollar.> @Tibor said:

    Wasn't it RCW who donated two garbage bags full of old PCGS
    and NGC labels to the ANA so the two TPGs could adjust their
    POP reports. At the time they were worth 50 cents a piece.
    They at one time also owned the LEGEND 1794 dollar if I'm
    not mistaken.

    Sorry I fixed it.

  • raysrays Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @dhikewhitney said:

    @PerryHall said:
    Maybe they should change their name to Rare Coin Retailers. ;)

    I'm persuaded they buy at or below wholesale. It's just good business.

    I just wonder who sells to them? Because a coin company that sells coins at wholesale prices has to acquire the far below wholesale.

    Steve Contursi is well-known in the dealer community. The “whispers” I used to hear about his company were:
    1. They generally bought expensive and rare coins at auction, and they were willing to pay up for them.
    2. No one seemed to know where their funding came from, speculation was billionaire(s) who wished to remain anonymous.
    3. They set up a table at Long Beach, with their extremely nice coins displayed for sale at what I would describe as very high prices, usually with a strong markup to what they brought at public auction. Whether they sold any at their asking prices I don’t know. Their business model did not seem concerned with actually selling coins.

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