How much are coin dealers’ and auction firms’ actions choreographed on the bourse floor, to meet pro

Longacre

To me, the bourse floor seems like a great place to meet the numismatic big fish--those collectors who are known to spend vast sums of money at auctions and with dealers. For the larger firms and the auction firms that have tables at the big numismatic conventions, are the actions of the representatives choreographed in any way to make it more likely to meet the prominent collectors in attendance? For example, at an auction, do the auction firms make it a point to save a place of honor for a big spender in the auction room, and does the consignment director for the firm just “happen” to get the seat next to the big fish? On the bourse floor, do the representatives of a big dealer fan out on the floor and try to grab a few words with prominent collectors? Is there a “target list” of those collectors that the firm tries to meet, similar to a salesman entering a coktail party and making a point to speak with Mr. X from XYZ Corporation, and slipping him his business card? Or are things more loosey-goosey in the numismatic world? I’ve been at meetings where I found it comical just to watch people jockey for positions at dining tables so that they are within conversation distance to a corporate big wig.

Michigan

<< <i>To me, the bourse floor seems like a great place to meet the numismatic big fish--those collectors who are known to spend vast sums of money at auctions and with dealers. For the larger firms and the auction firms that have tables at the big numismatic conventions, are the actions of the representatives choreographed in any way to make it more likely to meet the prominent collectors in attendance? For example, at an auction, do the auction firms make it a point to save a place of honor for a big spender in the auction room, and does the consignment director for the firm just “happen” to get the seat next to the big fish? On the bourse floor, do the representatives of a big dealer fan out on the floor and try to grab a few words with prominent collectors? Is there a “target list” of those collectors that the firm tries to meet, similar to a salesman entering a coktail party and making a point to speak with Mr. X from XYZ Corporation, and slipping him his business card? Or are things more loosey-goosey in the numismatic world? I’ve been at meetings where I found it comical just to watch people jockey for positions at dining tables so that they are within conversation distance to a corporate big wig. >>





I would guess that the major auction houses know who the big spenders are if they are regulars at their auctions and would
make an effort to shake hands and say hello. Whether they get a special place to sit etc. I don't know.

Teletrader1950

The bourse floor is for selling coins. I could care less about the guys collector pedigree if he is not buying any of my coins.

BillJones

Some big collectors are not there and have others bidding for them by proxy. They either bid by phone or email, or they have agents on the floor. Many large collectors don't wish to be known or recognized except by those whom they want to recognize them.

Some big collectors can be really cool, but others are not much fun at all. They are on Mars and I'm on Venus or vise versa. Sometimes when you have tons of money you can't relate to those who don't have as much. It's similar to how I feel about people have pride fests over a 2005 cent in PGCS MS-70. I just can't relate to that. Big collectors can’t see why one of my early coins in AU-50 makes me happy when they own one in MS-65.

And surprisingly you will find some big collectors who don't really know that much.

Coinosaurus

Michigan has it right. I've seen 'em in action. The principals know who the whales are and always make sure to make a fuss over them during the auction gatherings.