Third Party Descriptions??? Is there a "market" for this

ambro51

The meaty paragraph in a good auction catalog says a LOT. The writing is top notch, the research into the coins pedigree and status within the issue is world class ......but, must we sell to get this quality description. Why not a way to have your coin professionally evaluated and described by an expert "cataloger". Seems to me this info would hold great value to the collector within his period of ownership. Also, to be able to have an independant evaluation in writing from an accepted service would hold much weight with eBay buyers.

lcoopie

that's why I also try to save the description when I buy from my dealer

Oxenham

I completely agree that "this info would hold great value to the collector within his period of ownership" I personally would like to have this for my coins but the catalogers are being paid and fairly well I would guess.

ModCrewman

Seems to me to on parallel with high quality or professional photographs. An added element of enjoyment for the coins entrusted to our care. I would imagine depending on the expert, there would likely be a market for the service on some level. I could easily see someone setting up at a big show and doing a pretty brisk business evaluating coins. What would the price point be? $25-$50-$100.

ambro51

You could take that expert description and laminate it to a slab sized card!

AnkurJ

Coins from the Naftzger large cent collection had some very interesting and quirky notes on them. Many included provenance as well.
You'll see the coins offerred with the original envelope with notes.

Sonorandesertrat

I have also seen wonderful auction lot descriptions that seem best suited for 2-ply distribution.

ambro51

It all involves buying OR selling the coin. I propose a service to write YOU the description. NOW the kernel of tRuTh is that many experts are dealers who have $ tucked somewhere in the agenda. The "service" would employ experts who have no incentive to inflate deflate the facts. They are free to be honest. Wow

savoyspecial

"It Was The Best of Coins...
It Was The Worst of Coins..."


I'm available......Paypal accepted

edited to add smiley

rawmorgan

This is a topic that has always intrigued me. Due to a listing I remember from the 1998 June Long Beach Sale.

This coin was described as twice bent, possibly as a "witch piece."

I remember thinking it went for stong money even though it was well bent twice. The description goes on to say "..usual irregular planchet for the variety with one moderate edge defect."

This was an XF uncertified coin, if I remember correctly.

The description of it being a possible "witch piece" ment to ward off witches, I believe played into the minds of the bidders.

Granted it came with providence; the Seller Collection. Which sometimes will make a coin bid higher than usual. This was the beginning of my collecting experience so I don't know the Seller Collection.

And I'm at a disadvantage of being not very knowledgable of colonial coins.

But it seemed to me the trend for pine tree shilliings at the time with issues like this and at this grade level were below $1,000

but I could be completely off base here, and will probably hear about it soon enough.

There was even part of a nursery rhyme was included in the print cataloge.

There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.

From what I've gathered this nursery rhyme has nothing to do with "witches."

But to get back to the point I don't believe this coin would have sold for the final bid price without the "illustrated" style at which it was described.

Sonorandesertrat

Why on earth would I consider paying someone else to write up a description of my own coin if I want to keep it? If I cannot do that myself, I am not worthy of the designation 'coin collector'. If the coin being described isn't one I want to keep, why should I pay? If I sell it to a dealer, he isn't going to be impressed with a description on a card. If it is consigned to an auction house, the house will have its staff do this job.

CoinBuyer12

What amuses me is how dealers describe awful looking coins as works of art.



This beautiful standing liberty quarter has a nice steel-grey patina, with wonderful dark accents in the devices. The outer edge has a few nice spots of toning. The date, although slightly worn, attests this piece has withstood many years of circulation. This coin is paramount to any collection.

Dennis88

I've thought about offering either auction descriptions (ebay) and/or historical descriptions (personal use) here on the BST. I have been writing about coins for almost ten years now and had this idea for awhile. Similar to the photo services some people offer here, but then with words. In the end I decided it was not worth it because of lack of interest, although this thread proves I might have been wrong...

Dennis

stman

<< <i>Why on earth would I consider paying someone else to write up a description of my own coin if I want to keep it? If I cannot do that myself, I am not worthy of the designation 'coin collector'. If the coin being described isn't one I want to keep, why should I pay? If I sell it to a dealer, he isn't going to be impressed with a description on a card. If it is consigned to an auction house, the house will have its staff do this job. >>



I agree but here's the thing....... I think a lot of folks would indeed use the service. These days more than I've ever seen is it matters more to people who says it's nice, and who they buy a coin from. Yes it's nice to get a compliment from someone that knows whey they speak of. I see some collectors worship certain dealers and if that dealer says a coin is nice they fall in love. Granted it might be an informed and respected opinion but I'm sure we've all seen some barkers for sale from some of the most respected sellers out there. Some might have come to them in trade, or some they think are great, and I might not feel the same.

Nobody will say a thing....... in public.

Justacommeman

What if the Third Party Descriptions tell it like it is and is less then flattering?

"A less then generous amount of mint brilliance blends awkwardly with a dull array of light brown, medium brown, and dark brown toning on the obverse The reverse is even worse. The strike is weak overall. Probably the last coin struck. The surfaces are choppy from ten feet away. Best viewed from 15. Indeed, the in-hand presence is lousy and lower end of the assigned grade is easily met. Undeniably a bad choice for the grade with an overall appeal that only a mother could love'

MJ

I would actually think there would be the tendency to write fluffy descriptions for the cash and it would prove fruitless.

Most don't want the truth

stman

MJ, you just described my new purchase. But the favorite dealer on the forum said it was one of the nicest they've seen!

LindeDad

About one percent might pay for such a service probably about the same that have the pros image their coins.
But I sure would have a hard time finding the words to describe some of the coins I have seen photos of online.

breakdown

"A less then generous amount of mint brilliance blends awkwardly with a dull array of light brown, medium brown, and dark brown toning on the obverse The reverse is even worse. The strike is weak overall. Probably the last coin struck. The surfaces are choppy from ten feet away. Best viewed from 15. Indeed, the in-hand presence is lousy and lower end of the assigned grade is easily met. Undeniably a bad choice for the grade with an overall appeal that only a mother could love'

MJ



That's funny. Sorry, Ambro, as I am going a bit off the OP but I've got to try one now:

A coin only a blind mouse could love, the obverse screams unnatural, if not outright cleaned, scrubbed and overdipped. Not even a hint of a full head, and it only gets worse when you turn it over and look at the reverse. The last time the coin came up for auction, a couple of dealers dropped it during lot viewing and didn't bother to pick it up.

AnkurJ

Laura writes some great descriptions too.

Coinosaurus

<< <i>The last time the coin came up for auction, a couple of dealers dropped it during lot viewing and didn't bother to pick it up. >>



Funniest thing I've read on the forum this year (so far!)