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Mr. Tomaska

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  • logger7logger7 Posts: 9,028 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Everest; ice and snow on top, you need oxygen to breathe, occasionally hit with earthquakes. Similarities to coins?

  • CoinspongeCoinsponge Posts: 3,927 ✭✭✭

    Mr Tomaska does sell the sizzle but I think he makes a point about how the upper end Frankies and Kennedys are coins with a rising future. I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. You still have to check on his offerings to make sure they are reasonably priced.

    Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
  • CoinspongeCoinsponge Posts: 3,927 ✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:

    @logger7 said:
    Everest; ice and snow on top, you need oxygen to breathe, occasionally hit with earthquakes. Similarities to coins?

    Yes, and many die and are buried up there much like those who overpay and are 'buried' in their coins.

    Maybe that's why some say they will never sell their coins because they are afraid to face how deep they really are.

    Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
  • epcjimi1epcjimi1 Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭

    Coinsponge Posts: 3,907 ✭✭✭

    "April 21, 2017 12:25PM I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. "

    Guess so, no quick flip in those prices. Soak up the syrup with those prices.

  • georgiacop50georgiacop50 Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭

    @Coinsponge said:
    Mr Tomaska does sell the sizzle but I think he makes a point about how the upper end Frankies and Kennedys are coins with a rising future. I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. You still have to check on his offerings to make sure they are reasonably priced.

    Every single person I know that bought into the hype is buried in their purchases. Many so badly that they stopped collecting altogether.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,222 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:

    @Mark said:
    Years and years ago Mr. Tomaska started a thread here about auctions he was going to conduct. (I don't believe he actually conducted any, however.) It was remarkable how quickly the thread went south, with a lot of discussion of the spread between his buy prices and his sell prices. I don't believe he has posted here since.

    When you try to sell a gold piece for almost $20K and a quick internet search shows that it is available at just over $13K....it's gonna ruffle some feathers. :(

    it always will.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,743 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Elcontador said:
    It's not just Tomaska. There are plenty of people who operate on this model, and we should all know who they are. If you want to pay a fortune for a coin and be buried in it, that's your business. Personally, in this market, I won't stretch for anything unless I won't see another one like it for five years or longer.
    Unless you're playing in TDN's part of the pool, if you don't see it today, you'll see it soon enough.

    That

  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,685 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @robec said:
    I followed it for a few days on his site until it disappeared from the listing. Having bought from him before it's possible he may have given a 10-15% discount.

    That doesn't mean he sold it for anywhere $8,000. Many dealers ask very strong prices for coins, and when they get no takers, they quietly sell them to a wholesaler. Happens all of the time. For example, a number of years ago, one dealer had a No Motto and With Motto Seated Dollar in PC 4 holders. Nice coins, but both were between $3K and $4K overpriced. They remained on the site for the better part of a year, and then one day, just weren't there any longer.

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,685 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Someone commented above re someone buying a coin to hold it for a long time and implied such buyer will make money if he holds the coin long enough. Simply not true. Depends on the coin.
    If you bought attractive pre 1835 material in MS 64 or better twenty years ago, yes, you will make money on it. Ditto re most attractive Seated Type in MS 65 or better.
    But today, you'll be on the short end if you bought business strike Barber coinage in almost any grade twenty years ago. Ditto with MS 65 3 Cent Silver. An 1883 No Cent Nickel in PC 6 (that was a $1,000 coin in the late 90s, you can pick up a really nice one to day for $300).
    If you really want to go long term, how about that 50 D Nickel, that BU Gem you bought in 1965? You'd still be underwater on that one.

    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
    "Seu cabra da peste,
    "Sou Mangueira......."
  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,377 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 21, 2017 2:33PM

    I think there should be a separate "Julian' forum where we can post all the graded coins that the various companies have grossly under graded.

    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The real point here is to be a knowledgeable buyer.

  • CoinspongeCoinsponge Posts: 3,927 ✭✭✭

    @georgiacop50 said:

    @Coinsponge said:
    Mr Tomaska does sell the sizzle but I think he makes a point about how the upper end Frankies and Kennedys are coins with a rising future. I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. You still have to check on his offerings to make sure they are reasonably priced.

    Every single person I know that bought into the hype is buried in their purchases. Many so badly that they stopped collecting altogether.

    I bought a 1956 type 1 Frankie in PF68 for around 550 from him. Check on ebay has them selling in the 600-700 range. Nothing to crow about but not exactly buried either.

    Gold and silver are valuable but wisdom is priceless.
  • Cougar1978Cougar1978 Posts: 8,773 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rick is a major league dealer / heavy hitter who cultivates the right retail clients. The fantastic Cameo Franklins of that era can be very tough to find and in my view represent a very undervalued part of market. I believe his buyers are smart people who sense an opportunity and know real investment potential when they see it.

    Investor
  • DancingFireDancingFire Posts: 311 ✭✭✭

    @Elcontador said:

    @robec said:
    I followed it for a few days on his site until it disappeared from the listing. Having bought from him before it's possible he may have given a 10-15% discount.

    That doesn't mean he sold it for anywhere $8,000. Many dealers ask very strong prices for coins, and when they get no takers, they quietly sell them to a wholesaler. Happens all of the time. For example, a number of years ago, one dealer had a No Motto and With Motto Seated Dollar in PC 4 holders. Nice coins, but both were between $3K and $4K overpriced. They remained on the site for the better part of a year, and then one day, just weren't there any longer.

    In other words...if he couldn't find a sucker he'll come down to reality? . I don't have the balls to sell any coins that I wouldn't buy back for 10% less of what I sold the coin for IF the market remained same.

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,242 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coinsponge said:
    Mr Tomaska does sell the sizzle but I think he makes a point about how the upper end Frankies and Kennedys are coins with a rising future. I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. You still have to check on his offerings to make sure they are reasonably priced.

    For what it's worth, I met him at a show in St. Louis sometime in the mid-to-late 1980s when he was just beginning to promote these types of coins, and he was touting upper end Frankies and Kennedys as coins with a rising future then as well.

    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,742 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DoubleEagle59 said:
    I think there should be a separate "Julian' forum where we can post all the graded coins that the various companies have grossly under graded.

    Properly graded but grossly overpriced would be more appropriate.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DancingFire said:

    @Elcontador said:

    @robec said:
    I followed it for a few days on his site until it disappeared from the listing. Having bought from him before it's possible he may have given a 10-15% discount.

    That doesn't mean he sold it for anywhere $8,000. Many dealers ask very strong prices for coins, and when they get no takers, they quietly sell them to a wholesaler. Happens all of the time. For example, a number of years ago, one dealer had a No Motto and With Motto Seated Dollar in PC 4 holders. Nice coins, but both were between $3K and $4K overpriced. They remained on the site for the better part of a year, and then one day, just weren't there any longer.

    In other words...if he couldn't find a sucker he'll come down to reality? . I don't have the balls to sell any coins that I wouldn't buy back for 10% less of what I sold the coin for IF the market remained same.

    You would starve as a coin dealer. I'm not saying that 200-300% markups are the norm, but most dealers aren't working on a 10% markup either.

  • DancingFireDancingFire Posts: 311 ✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @DancingFire said:

    @Elcontador said:

    @robec said:
    I followed it for a few days on his site until it disappeared from the listing. Having bought from him before it's possible he may have given a 10-15% discount.

    That doesn't mean he sold it for anywhere $8,000. Many dealers ask very strong prices for coins, and when they get no takers, they quietly sell them to a wholesaler. Happens all of the time. For example, a number of years ago, one dealer had a No Motto and With Motto Seated Dollar in PC 4 holders. Nice coins, but both were between $3K and $4K overpriced. They remained on the site for the better part of a year, and then one day, just weren't there any longer.

    In other words...if he couldn't find a sucker he'll come down to reality? . I don't have the balls to sell any coins that I wouldn't buy back for 10% less of what I sold the coin for IF the market remained same.

    You would starve as a coin dealer. I'm not saying that 200-300% markups are the norm, but most dealers aren't working on a 10% markup either.

    I would be very happy If I can avg. 10% profit selling TPG coins.

  • TonerGuyTonerGuy Posts: 590 ✭✭✭

    @DancingFire said:

    @epcjimi1 said:

    Coinsponge Posts: 3,907 ✭✭✭

    "April 21, 2017 12:25PM I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. "

    Guess so, no quick flip in those prices. Soak up the syrup with those prices.

    Not every human being will live to 300 yrs old.

    Everest Coins! An investment for the ages.... (since it will take that long for you to see a profit)

  • Every single person I know that bought into the hype is buried in their purchases. Many so badly that they stopped collecting altogether.

    Yes, and this thread is exploding with these people and their examples. (((sarcasm))) If Mr. Tomaska is like this thread describes, why is there not one single person here to share how they got raped by him?

    I want to hear the story how Mr. Tomaska buried them so deep into a single coin. There must be at least hundreds of them.

  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 21, 2017 8:37PM

    He's on right now....

    The man is a true showman. He just gave a presentation on 'The Everest Hall of Fame Collection'.

    Six mid 5-figure mostly Proof DCAM and CAM coins that are among the finest known....1857 PF 65 Flying Eagle cent, 1881 PF Trade Dollar, 1942 P War Nickel, 1875 PF Twenty Cent piece & a PF Seated Half Dime and PF Seated Half Dollar.

    This is why I really enjoy watching his show. :smiley:

    He was selling them for the family of a client who had passed away.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 12,592 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I bought a copy of his 1991 book recently to replace a prior copy that i had lost. His book assisted me in choosing to play in that area of the hobby, by searching for the subject coins, raw in OGP and aftetmarket sets. A fun way to collect on a modest budget.

  • This content has been removed.
  • LRCTomLRCTom Posts: 857 ✭✭✭

    I've known Rick since high school. We were president and VP of the coin club (back when high schools actually had such things...), and played golf on weekends. He's a nice guy, and as we can see, a great marketer. He's always carried a lot of overhead: a while ago with back-cover ads on CoinAge and other publications, and now with the TV show. So not all of the high prices go straight into his pocket.

    LRC Numismatics eBay listings:
    http://stores.ebay.com/lrcnumismatics

  • sellitstoresellitstore Posts: 3,053 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So not all of the high prices go straight into his pocket.

    This doesn't change what these coins are really worth.

    Collector and dealer in obsolete currency. Always buying all obsolete bank notes and scrip.
  • Wabbit2313Wabbit2313 Posts: 7,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    He has never once chiseled me down on a coin I sold. I hope the suckers keep buying because, I sure like selling to him!

  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerfan said:
    He's on right now....

    The man is a true showman. He just gave a presentation on 'The Everest Hall of Fame Collection'.

    Six mid 5-figure mostly Proof DCAM and CAM coins that are among the finest known....1857 PF 65 Flying Eagle cent, 1881 PF Trade Dollar, 1942 P War Nickel, 1875 PF Twenty Cent piece & a PF Seated Half Dime and PF Seated Half Dollar.

    This is why I really enjoy watching his show. :smiley:

    He was selling them for the family of a client who had passed away.

    Those I would consider bread and better classic type coins. Much different that post 1940 CAMS/DCAMS.

    If I happened to be someone who got offered a fraction of what I paid for a coin purchased, I wouldn't make it a point to come on the Forum and prove to everyone what an idiot I was. For every hundred people that get smoked by any particular dealer, you're lucky if even 1 or 2 would come forward. Even the worst Ebay dealer shysters have Feedback ratings up in the 95-98% range. It doesn't mean that 95% or more of what they sold were "fair" deals.

    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 23, 2017 12:06AM

    @ChangeInHistory said:
    He knows his moderns, cameos, dcam's, and so forth. He loses a lot of credibility with his coin show however. The other night he was offering 1899, 1900 1907 and 1908 ms 65 RD indian cents for the 'bargain' price of $850, 900, when they sell for 525, 550 at auction.

    Meh. I've seen some of his overpriced stuff and it's a bit irritating. For example:

    There is absolutely NOTHING special about the coin in the link below except for two things: The Price and the sellers name. Other than that, the coin was very lucky to get an MS67 with those two deep gouges in front of IKEs eyes and below his jowls. The reverse is kinda honked up as well with a serious scrape on the rim at 12:00. At best, an average strike.

    ebay.com/itm/1971-S-SILVER-EISENHOWER-PCGS-MS-67-BLINDINGLY-WHITE-RARE-/252880274884

    Yet, it's price about $365 more than price guide and about $400 more than it would actually be.

    Yes, he has some nice coins but he also has some not so nice stuff at some fairly steep if not plain silly prices.
    Oh yeah, he's got some books.

    In the sake of fairness, I need to add that "I" would NEVER pay the prices that he asks for his coins since the "premiums" on those prices will NEVER be recovered unless he guarantee's to buy back his merchandise at the exact same value.

    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • GazesGazes Posts: 2,315 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What happened to his store R & I coins ? I use to see their ads in coin world all the time

  • I have watched and enjoyed his Coin show- will say they were doing a presentation on Sacagawea coins and made a mistake in the presentation, I wrote them about the mistake- and they did change the presentation, and while expected that to be the end of it- They sent me a 2017 MS70, first day of issue, PCSG American Silver Eagle as a thank you, for free!~.. did not need to do that. That did impress me

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Boosibri said:
    That Ike is fugly

    I agree with you. Is Rick even looking at the same coin? Here is an excerpt from his description:

    "Flawless-to-the-naked-eye with zero haze, zero spots and practically ZERO bag marks! This Eisenhower screams eye-appeal with its pristine gem looks!"

  • georgiacop50georgiacop50 Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭

    @Coinsponge said:

    @georgiacop50 said:

    @Coinsponge said:
    Mr Tomaska does sell the sizzle but I think he makes a point about how the upper end Frankies and Kennedys are coins with a rising future. I think he views his clients as long term holders, not quick flippers. You still have to check on his offerings to make sure they are reasonably priced.

    Every single person I know that bought into the hype is buried in their purchases. Many so badly that they stopped collecting altogether.

    I bought a 1956 type 1 Frankie in PF68 for around 550 from him. Check on ebay has them selling in the 600-700 range. Nothing to crow about but not exactly buried either.

    That is an anomaly due to the fact that 3 or 4 years ago the Ty1 variety absolutely EXPLODED in popularity and resultant price appreciation. It is one of only 2 Franklins that have turned out to be a good investment in the last 30 years, the other one being 1963 FBL examples.

  • mkman123mkman123 Posts: 6,849 ✭✭✭✭

    Has anyone here mentioned how the pics of every proof coin he sells look like frosty dcams? I highly doubt many are black and white cameos as he shows them.

    Successful Buying and Selling transactions with:

    Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've never bought from him but I wish I would have bought the cameo Walker he had for sell in 2008ish

    mark

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,741 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hey I don't think anybody is all evil/bad or completely good. So he has his good sides, ignore the negative bits and sidestep (if you have any sense) his "retail" prices!

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,742 ✭✭✭✭✭

    People just need to know their series, do their research (prices/grade/rarity/availability), and then decide, if it's a coin that they can or can't live without.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • TonerGuyTonerGuy Posts: 590 ✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @Boosibri said:
    That Ike is fugly

    I agree with you. Is Rick even looking at the same coin? Here is an excerpt from his description:

    "Flawless-to-the-naked-eye with zero haze, zero spots and practically ZERO bag marks! This Eisenhower screams eye-appeal with its pristine gem looks!"

    Im gonna bet thats a canned description he uses on all Ikes. How many silver MS Ikes have haze. Usually thats an issue for proof coins.

  • cameonut2011cameonut2011 Posts: 10,181 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 23, 2017 11:35PM

    @Justacommeman said:
    I've never bought from him but I wish I would have bought the cameo Walker he had for sell in 2008ish

    mark

    What date/grade? I wish I hadn't missed on the couple that I did either. The prices on these have come up since then even though the population has increased (by one coin). If I recall correctly, the price guide value was around $9k for a 1942 PF66 cameo in PCGS plastic. The last one to sell at Legend sold for around $13k if I remember correctly. There isn't much differene between the three dates with known designated examples.

  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    it is no doubt that R&I prices are high, but much of what is added to this thread is pure speculation. unless you can provide evidence of sales taking place or "clients" being buried it isn't very helpful to post things as fact.

    didn't that get discussed in another thread??? posting speculation as fact only in-flames opinions.

  • georgiacop50georgiacop50 Posts: 2,909 ✭✭✭✭

    OK. Here is one for ya Keets. The Registry player LOR has the #1 set of mint state Franklins. He actually got started in Franklins in the 1990s by buying hi-grade Cameos from R&I. Some years later he decided try to sell and naturally contacted rick, as rick was always "claiming" to be a strong buyer of the material. Well didn't even receive lowball offers on his coins, but was told "not buying at this time".

    LOR was so soured by the experience that he dropped out of coin-collecting for many years.

    If you look at LORs Registry Set you will see a comment from Tomaska to the effect of "Glad we could help build your set!" which is complete bullcrap because NONE of the coins in LORs set were purchased from Rick. Pretty sleezy to use LORs set for a false advertisement wouldn't you say?

  • unclebobunclebob Posts: 433 ✭✭✭
    edited April 24, 2017 10:21AM

    A week ago, I couldn't make a 100% determination of a giant VAM pick.

    I didn't bother to even look at the price.

    Spent a lot of time on the VAM.

    I about choked as the price for the toner (unattributed) was about PCGS book retail for a massive rare VAM. Umm... at least 8X

    I can't remember the specific VAM or the specific dealer....

    But there is a potential rare sweet toned VAM, and if he checks his inventory, he might set a new record for a VAM... asking price any way.

    I was 80% sure and if it would have been book or 2X book, I would have gambled.

    Should not be hard to find since he was very proud of his toners!

  • TyrockTyrock Posts: 311 ✭✭✭

    I watch his show for entertainment and information. He knows his stuff, but as always, buying from TV can be an expensive way to obtain material. All in all, I'd say it's a good show and worth watching.

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @Justacommeman said:
    I've never bought from him but I wish I would have bought the cameo Walker he had for sell in 2008ish

    mark

    What date/grade? I wish I hadn't missed on the couple that I did either. The prices on these have come up since then even though the population has increased (by one coin). If I recall correctly, the price guide value was around $9k for a 1942 PF66 cameo in PCGS plastic. The last one to sell at Legend sold for around $13k if I remember correctly. There isn't much differene between the three dates with known designated examples.

    It was one of the 38's or 42's. Pretty sure it was a 38.

    mark

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭

    @TonerGuy said:

    @cameonut2011 said:

    @Boosibri said:
    That Ike is fugly

    I agree with you. Is Rick even looking at the same coin? Here is an excerpt from his description:

    "Flawless-to-the-naked-eye with zero haze, zero spots and practically ZERO bag marks! This Eisenhower screams eye-appeal with its pristine gem looks!"

    Im gonna bet thats a canned description he uses on all Ikes. How many silver MS Ikes have haze. Usually thats an issue for proof coins.

    Except, the coin in the listing isn't a proof.

    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭

    @keets said:
    it is no doubt that R&I prices are high, but much of what is added to this thread is pure speculation. unless you can provide evidence of sales taking place or "clients" being buried it isn't very helpful to post things as fact.

    didn't that get discussed in another thread??? posting speculation as fact only in-flames opinions.

    Fair enough. Buy this coin:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-WASHINGTON-PCGS-PR-67-Beautiful-color-and-a-CAMEO-bonus-/252894017073

    And then put it up on eBay as a BIN for say, $490. Or even Great Collections. Better yet, put it in a Heritage Auction.

    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!

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