Italian coin question

ajaan · October 17, 2004 7:07AM

Today at the coin show, just on a whim and without any reference material, I bought an Italian BBM coin (Bare Butt Man). It is dated 1955. I looked it up in Krause later and see these are valued more than the common dates. Do these really sell for more on the open market? I would grade mine EF-AU, these is just a touch of wear on the buttocks.

Askari · October 17, 2004 7:30AM

<< there is just a touch of wear on the buttocks. >>

Don'tcha just hate it when dealers can't keep their hands off their wares?

ajaan · October 17, 2004 8:52AM

lordmarcovan · October 17, 2004 9:02AM

I usually grade these stainless steel coins with a loupe, because it is very hard to discern any wear on them. They stay so nice and bright that all of them look AU. So I would try to be conservative, there. (Not that I see anything in your small picture that would make me disagree with your assigned EF-AU grade).

As to demand, I would say there is a fair chance you'll get a premium for the key dates, if only from collectors in Italy. I have had fairly healthy bids on similar items before. It's hard to say.

I would put it out there with a low start price and reasonable shipping terms for foreign bidders, and see what happened.

tbirde56 · October 17, 2004 9:06AM

The demand for the select pieces is there but a coin that appears Unc may actually not be unless you really have experience in grading them. The stainless steel wears quite easily but subtly. Unless it's a true sharp Unc it's not worth a lot.

Philip · October 17, 2004 3:57PM

<< I usually grade these stainless steel coins with a loupe, because it is very hard to discern any wear on them. They stay so nice and bright that all of them look AU. So I would try to be conservative, there. (Not that I see anything in your small picture that would make me disagree with your assigned EF-AU grade).

As to demand, I would say there is a fair chance you'll get a premium for the key dates, if only from collectors in Italy. I have had fairly healthy bids on similar items before. It's hard to say.

I would put it out there with a low start price and reasonable shipping terms for foreign bidders, and see what happened. >>

I agree with you on this one. I have most of the steel coins of Italy and many of them at first sight look AU or better. Only upon closer inspection the various dark areas in the devices and wear on the high parts can be seen.

syraq · October 17, 2004 4:14PM

This would fit nicely in stork's BBM collection.

Stork · October 18, 2004 9:45PM

newsman · October 19, 2004 8:15AM

There was some eBay seller awhile ago who was offering a bulk lot of those as party favors for gay gatherings.

Stork · October 19, 2004 8:49AM

<< There was some eBay seller awhile ago who was offering a bulk lot of those as party favors for gay gatherings >>

Now, I will just have to pretend I didn't see that!

newsman · October 19, 2004 10:50AM

<< 

<< There was some eBay seller awhile ago who was offering a bulk lot of those as party favors for gay gatherings >>

Now, I will just have to pretend I didn't see that! >>

I think this one is from that lot. Here's why:

"There is just a touch of wear on the buttocks." -- Ajaan

Italian coin question

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