Is the sale of non-specialist coins by a specialist dealer the sign of a Renaissance Man, or a hot m

Longacre

I have been checking the website of a specialist dealer. He has recently offered a named, 28 piece collection, which is outside of what the dealer typically sells. I have been thouroughly impresssed, however, that even the coins outside this dealer's area of expertise, have been literally flying off of the shelves. To my horror, this dealer is even selling a Jefferson nickel. Granted, this dealer has been around the block, so it's not like he is only a specialist. However, in today's age of specialization, it is hard for someone to be an expert in all series of coins.

When a specialist dealer sells coin outside of his specialty, and they sell like hotcakes, is that a sign that the dealer is a true Renaissance Man, with ties deep into the numismatic community, or is it a sign of a red hot market in which coins simply sell themselves? I think it is the former, but I wanted to get people's thoughts.

Nysoto

It is truly the sign of a Renaissance Man, who boldly embraces the human spirit, seamlessly integrating art and science, undaunted by ruthless competition, venturing into uncharted territory, or something like that.

mgoodm3

I don't think that it's a sign of a strong market. A weak market forces one to look for new opportunity.

Artist

It was a really nice Jefferson nickel...

291fifth

It's a sign that he thinks he can make some money with the new product.

PerryHall

Perhaps he got the coins in trade for some of his specialized merchandise.

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Perhaps he got the coins in trade for some of his specialized merchandise. >>



That was my initial thought. He made a bulk purchase to get some product he was more interested in, and priced the stuff outside his normal area to move out the door in a hurry.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>When a specialist dealer sells coin outside of his specialty, and they sell like hotcakes, is that a sign that the dealer is a true Renaissance Man, with ties deep into the numismatic community, or is it a sign of a red hot market in which coins simply sell themselves? >>


I think it's a combination. Assuming the specialist dealer has an established client base based on good service and quality coins, if that specialist then offers other coins outside his norm, those clients become interested because they already have a level of trust and a good relationship with the dealer. So then it comes down to the coins themselves.

I would suggest that if a poor coin in an unpopular series is being offered by even the best dealer, that coin may take a while to sell.

RYK

Without speaking out of turn, DW does a lot more business than rare date 19th century gold, but this is mostly done via wantlists for established clients. When he was in St. Louis for the CSNS, he showed me some of the nicest commems I have ever seen, a group of coins purchased for one particular individual.

He has expressed to me in the past that he is interested in getting more involved in the seated arena, one which he feels is undervalued in places, and one in which he has considerabe experience. He was the #10 member of the LSCC, IIRC.

As for this collection, I do not know the facts, but my guess is that this was an established client who had some non-gold holdings acquired from other sources that he wished to sell. DW probably figured he could do better selling this coin retail on his site than selling it wholesale, and likely for mutual benefit.

I must say one thing about DW. I have sold quite a few coins over the last few years, and no other dealer was ever as concerned about me getting out whole and making a profit on coins sold to him or through him, whether I bought them from him or not.

Now, if you want to tweak him, stop by his table at Baltimore and ask him a lot of questions about the Jefferson nickel he has for sale (and tell him I sent ya').

mrcommem

It is a sign of a reputable dealer offering coins with great eye appeal at a fair price.

elwood

If you're talking about DW he does more than Gold. I've seen him purchase a couple Silver rarities at auction.

It's also a sign of a shortage of good material in most series. If he wants to have inventory and sales he needs to find nice coins of any type.

Thus diversifying.

IGWT

It's a sign that the dealer's clients -- for whatever reason -- aren't buying enough in his specialty area to keep him happy and busy. Maybe there just isn't enough good material to buy and sell in his established area of expertise. Or maybe his good clients with the big bucks have changed their focus from gold to copper and silver.

Barry

I call it taking advantage of a business opportunity. For example, Rick Snow and the Wisconsin Qs. And not that there's anything wrong with that...

ColonialCoinUnion

Sometimes things aren't a 'sign' of anything.

RYK

<< <i>Sometimes things aren't a 'sign' of anything. >>



Like in little league, when you thought the third base coach was flashing the "bunt" sign, and he was really just picking his nose.

Doogy

YES

ColonialCoinUnion

<< <i>

<< <i>Sometimes things aren't a 'sign' of anything. >>



Like in little league, when you thought the third base coach was flashing the "bunt" sign, and he was really just picking his nose. >>



Mr. Fowler's only sign was to scream 'HIT THE CUTOFF MAN' indiscriminantly at kids who had no idea what that meant.

Not surprisingly, we finished at the bottom of League 'B', just behind 'Cone Cupboard'.

roadrunner

Considering DW is well versed in 18th and 19th gold and silver, one should not consider these 28 coins outside his expertise/specialty.
He was doing seated material long before gold.

roadrunner