My favorite lot consultation

Elcontador

I insist on at least one other set of eyes looking at any coin I am considering for my collection. As I don't travel much to shows, I usually ask Mark Feld to represent me at various auction venues. He called me back and said that he wasn't attending a particular show, and recommended that I speak with a particular guy (whose name shall be withheld) at the auction house regarding a MS 63 or MS 64 BN Draped Bust Large Cent.

I call the auction house, get connected with this guy, and explain why I am speaking with him. Keep in mind that I had never spoken with him before. He gets the lot, and the consult goes like this,

"Well the coin is dark, but it still has enough cartwheel luster for the grade.....There's a small scratch in the obverse right field at about 2:00, but it's not bad. The strike is okay but not great. Wait a minute...what's this? You don't want to bid on this coin, it's a piece of ****."

It has been a good four or five years, and I have never spoken with him again, but I have the utmost respect for his candor.

Do you have a similar story?

ahooka454

Hahahaha thats awsome. What a great guy. I dont have any experiance with buyers representing me. I have a few guys working with me and I would take their advice with 110% confidance. Great story btw...

RYK

I have had dealers discourage me from buying coins from their own inventory with statements like:

"It's a dog!"

"That coin is a pig!"

"It's an AT POS"

and similar colorful descriptions.

Longacre

I've called a dealer about a coin in his inventory, and was told, "no, you don't want that coin".

GoldenEyeNumismatics

Dealers tell me "No, no, you don't want that coin" pretty often.

ricko

There are indeed honest dealers... and it is worthwhile cultivating their acquaintance. A network is most helpful. Cheers, RickO