Are most of today's collecting "whales" just day traders?

Comments

• logger7 Posts: 9,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 7:15AM

  As far as I can see, all the seasoned coin buyers are very conservative in what they pay. I have called around looking for offers on somewhat esoteric certified material looking for offers, and get very cautious pricing. If a "whale" is a dealer with deep pockets and savvy market knowledge, I would say they are looking to make at least 30% on a buy in the short term.

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• ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 7:20AM

  From what I have seen, and my scope is limited (Laura at Legend would likely be the best to answer your question), there are a scant few who seem to be true collectors, and many who are placing funds in what they believe to be a secure investment with ROI... JMO... Cheers, RickO

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• BillyKingsley Posts: 2,661 ✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 7:20AM

  The only way I could be described as a whale is in physical resemblance, but everything I add to any of my collections is because I want it and plan to keep it forever.

  Billy Kingsley ANA R-3146356 Cardboard History // Numismatic History

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• oih82w8 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 7:26AM

  I am definitely in the shallow end of the pool...no "whales" down here in the Everyman Type Sets that I am aware of.

  oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's
  
  BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...

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• topstuf Posts: 14,803 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 8:45AM

  Times are very different from the days of the old masters.
  I would guess that whatever enterprises fund the whales is interesting enough in its own right to be enough excitement and personal satisfaction to be a "hobby" in and of itself.

  There's some money that is even too big to excite with a bunch of unimprovable stuff.

  Things move fast nowadays.

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• Broadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 8:57AM

  A lot of the big whales from 10 years ago are now beached having moved onto other hobbies.

  To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  

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• TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,705 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 8:58AM edited January 10, 2018 9:00AM

  They're the players, shakers, and movers. They are the giants who's shoulders we are standing on, here. I thought this was evident , long ago. We got them live, brothers and sisters. Who'd have thought ?

  ``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5

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• Coinstartled Posts: 10,135 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 8:59AM

  Good news is that the coins don't care. They will always find a home, albeit at varying prices.

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• Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 9:20AM

  I would have loved to have been one of those whales, unfortunately I just look like one.

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• BuffaloIronTail Posts: 7,571 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 9:38AM

  Life's a Beach...............then you meet a Whale.................

  Pete

  "I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon

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• Walkerguy21D Posts: 11,814 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 10:00AM edited January 10, 2018 10:02AM

  I think with TPG's (and now CAC), and the internet (connectivity to dealer inventory and auctions) it's quicker and easier to assemble a 'world class' set of something, so you no longer need decades to slowly acquire top specimens.

  Now, why some of these whales want to flip them shortly after completion, I don't know. I've held on to my better coins for decades, because I admire and appreciate them.

  Successful BST transactions with 171 members. Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug

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• Treashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 11:05AM edited January 10, 2018 11:05AM

  @BillyKingsley said:
  The only way I could be described as a whale is in physical resemblance, but everything I add to any of my collections is because I want it and plan to keep it forever.

  Photos or it doesn't count.

  Besides, how can we determine your 'whaleness' without an accurate picture.

  [just replying, no offense. ]

  Frank
  
  BHNC #203
  
  

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• BryceM Posts: 11,890 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 12:41PM

  For many people I think "the chase" is more fun than "the owning". Once you take a collection or a series as far as you can it no longer entices and entertains the mind. I'm closer to a minnow than a even a medium-size stingray but you start thinking...... "What else could I do with the $$ if I sold this?" Looking at taking a financial bath cools the desire. Looking at taking a profit makes it pretty enticing to sell and move on to something else.

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• Bochiman Posts: 25,625 ✭✭✭✭✭

  January 10, 2018 9:47PM

  There are some that just want to say that they "owned" a top rarity, or were "top in the registry", even if for a very short time.

  Yeah, they got the coin. Yeah, they finished their "chase". Yeah, they were "top dog" for a short time.

  My respect goes to those that not only get there, but stay there for a bit as if it really meant something.

  I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment

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