Krause price guides.

1794half1839

How accurate are these in reflecting the market prices of scarce and rare world coins (not bullion related pieces).

farthing

Krause prices are generally all over the board as far as accuracy. Some countries Krause is routinely too high, others, too low. Depends on the country and how "hot" they are. Yet, they do give an overall "feel" to the prices and there really is no one else that attempts to do what Krause does.

For scarce or rare coins, many collectors use specialized price guides or auction results to get a better idea of prices for these types of coins.

OnlyBuffalos

The Krause guides are just that - guides. For common, very available coins, Krause is pretty good at estimating a likely cost. For high grade uncirculated or infrequently available coins or for high in-demand coins, it is often much less useful.

Looking at past auction price realized lists for a particular coin, is often the best indicator of a coins "worth".

Remember too that certified coins are often traded at a premium and that premium may not be reflected in Krause.

JoesMaName

Just my opinion of course - but not very.

I use them mostly as a guide to relative value and never expect I'd get full Krause if I ever should sell.

Some countries get hot and do sell better then Krause, but I feel mostly their prices are optimistic, especially for common issues.

Having said the above – I still wouldn’t be without mine. If an item lists for $600.00 you know you probably have something of worth. It may not bring full book but it certainly shouldn’t go into the junk box!

Doogy

<< <i>How accurate are these in reflecting the market prices of scarce and rare world coins (not bullion related pieces). >>




Greg - for truly rare pieces, i'd say Krause is next to worthless. A case in point is the upcoming incredible 'Millennia' auction. You can pretty much throw Krause away as most coins will most likely go for multiples of the book value.

for "scarce" coins, Krause may be a bit closer to realized market values. But from what i've witnessed (and purchased), take those same "scarce" coins and make them "condition rarities", which is where Krause doesn't specify, and the market goes nuts again. One day soon, someone will come up with an ACCURATE price guide that reflects real market value, using a specified grading system that goes over and above Krause's elementary UNC and BU, with maybe using the Sheldon Scale. I can imagine however, that those guides will only be made for the most popular world coin countries such as Great Britain, Russia, China, Poland, Greece, and a few others.

7Jaguars

I think the effort at putting such a guide together is huge, and though room for improvement (which they invite help with) that they do a good job.

I have thought about the pricing conundrum (sp?) and even with British realize that there are different grading schemes and definately different prices from place to place. There are a boatload of coins and conditions to deal with.

I dare say that we could take a good number of potshots at any pricing guide put together by self-appointed experts.

BTW, should the prices fetched at Milennia be the "true" prices listed in the guide? Many such coins subsequently come back on the market after such sales and either languish or see price drops....

Doogy

<< <i>I think the effort at putting such a guide together is huge, and though room for improvement (which they invite help with) that they do a good job.

I have thought about the pricing conundrum (sp?) and even with British realize that there are different grading schemes and definately different prices from place to place. There are a boatload of coins and conditions to deal with.

I dare say that we could take a good number of potshots at any pricing guide put together by self-appointed experts.

BTW, should the prices fetched at Milennia be the "true" prices listed in the guide? Many such coins subsequently come back on the market after such sales and either languish or see price drops.... >>




ahh....yes. I certainly agree with the effort that would be involved. Dare i say that i sounded a bit like a pessimist in my earlier thread, so let me commend the Krause editors for what they have done and continue to do. It must have been a real challenge to get all of these countries and their coins in those comprehensive books, and try to assign values must be a tough thing to keep up with.

I also think that any further books that bring value into sharper focus will be looked upon as, well........you be the judge; i think it depends with whom you speak with.

I think that 'Millennia' will give us a peek into the ultra-rare world coin market, one that we haven't seen much of until now (all in one place, I mean). I do think that the values assigned will "stick" to many issues, especially the very low mintages ones. I also think that these coins, the bulk of the rarities anyhow, will be back on the market anytime soon. There is a TON of overseas interest in this auction, and many coins will go to these buyers and will be locked away in safes for who knows how long (decades?). I think if any are to be re-sold and "languish", it will be by US dealers that purchase the more common or simply scarce coins, and then tack on huge premiums trying to find a person willing to pay it. I do think Millennia will certainly tell us in a nutshell where the rare world coin market is, and give us an idea of where it is heading. This should help the price guide editors in my estimation as they can spot trends more easily on a sale of this magnitude.

7Jaguars

Yes, I would like to be at the sale to get a feel for it. Still, I think of the Pittman sale amongs others where many did arise again at lesser prices, but that was 1999. Hopefully there will not be too much anonymous bidding. Sadly, I have not the finances to participate in even a small way in this sale but will look forward to what some of them bring and probably wish I could have snuck some of mine in there.

Bjorn

They seem a bit high for more common issues and a bit low for rarer issues. Particularly high grade and/or nice coins will of course go for far above book value.