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Buying Coins on Auction w/ Dealer Agent

ex Jack Lee 1921

My dream Coin is up for sale and I sure would like to have it. On the down side is the fact I haven't a clue what it's worth and what it's likely to bring. The current bid with juice is $5,462.50. The 2006 Redbook gives a value of $40,000.00 - way out of my reach.

Let's say I really was a wealthy collector and that ex Jack Lee Coin was something I just had to have. I would rather have a Dealer act as my agent in buying this Coin as my time and knowlege are not at that level.

What would I likely have to pay to get this Coin? How does the agent thing work? I suppose they would add their own private juice on top of the house juice, right?

Comments

  • Yes the agent thing (expert) is required in my opinion for a coin valued almost entirely by it's rare strike (proof). A proof 1921 Peace sold at Bowers in Baltimore for around $41,000.image
    morgannut2
  • MFHMFH Posts: 11,720 ✭✭✭✭


    Be prepared to "pony-up" for that Peace Dollar. Bob put together a top knotch set. I'm tracking all of the 1921's as well as a few others ( I don't collect these coins, I just like them ) and as Morgannut2 mentioned, I think they will go over $40K in Proof condition. The NGC MS 67 is also a joy to behold.

    Who couldn't love these 1921's ?
    Mike Hayes
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !

    New Barber Purchases
  • raysrays Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The going rate for a dealer to evaluate and bid on your behalf is 3% of hammer, if you are successful in winning the lot.
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,162 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The going rate for a dealer to evaluate and bid on your behalf is 3% of hammer, if you are successful in winning the lot.

    More like 5%.
  • FullStrikeFullStrike Posts: 4,353 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Ibelieve this coin will approach $50,000.00.

    The going rate for a dealer to evaluate and bid on your behalf is 3% of hammer, if you are successful in winning the lot.


    More like 5%. >>




    OK. So with the 15% from the house and 5% from the agent I'd realistically expect to pay $50,000.00 + $10,000.00 ( 20% of final bid) for a total of about $60,000.00. image


    That seems like a nice price for the Coin. Everything is cool except the fact that's way out of my league - too bad for me. image


    Could someone direct me to the nearest Museum Exhibit? I'll be satisfied just to look at a nice fully struck 1921 Peace Dollar.

    Maybe a nice typical flat strike MS65 wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. image
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,797 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let's say I really was a wealthy collector and that ex Jack Lee Coin was something I just had to have. I would rather have a Dealer act as my agent in buying this Coin as my time and knowlege are not at that level.

    Let's say that you were a collector of moderate means, not wealthy. It's even more important to have someone check the coin out before you place a bid on it. A mistake on a coin like that can hurt you much more than 5%. Dealer representation at auction is the best deal in coins.
  • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,785 ✭✭✭✭

    FullStrike,

    Forget the dealer. If you're serious about buying a five figure coin, take a day of vacation, get on a plane, and get your butt to the show!

    It's great having a professional evaluate your potential purchases, but in the end you need to be the judge AND jury. It's your money after all.



    Buyer and seller of vintage coin boards!
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,303 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, board the plane. I've had dealers bid for me at sales and do nothing more than raise their hands after I advised them of what the coin was and what it was worth. In most cases the 5% is better spent on the coin. Even if 5% is going rate, you deserve 100% full service for that honor. Forking over $2500 for a dealer to raise their hand for you is not representation but recreation.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Could someone direct me to the nearest Museum Exhibit? I'll be satisfied just to look at a nice fully struck 1921 Peace Dollar.

    Head to the exhibit at the NY Federal Reserve. They have a satin finish proof on display that looks more like a medal than a coin.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • FullStrikeFullStrike Posts: 4,353 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Head to the exhibit at the NY Federal Reserve. They have a satin finish proof on display that looks more like a medal than a coin. >>



    EUREKA!

    Thanks MrEureka. NYC is just about a 170 mile trip for me. Here I was thinking Colorado Springs (ANA) but NYC looks much better. Been wanting to go see Wyeths "Christina's World" for a while, so now I have 2 reasons to get moving. Maybe even another Yanks Game up in tier reserved land - but then again - maybe not.

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