Is grey-side sale upsetting

theboz11 · October 26, 2003 9:31PM

It seems some of our grey side collectors(posted in Toronto Star by Robert AAron Coins) have heartburn over the sale of the two unique Royal Mint coins to Andy. Star Link

MacCrimmon · October 26, 2003 10:15PM

<< <i>Since only one of each coin was minted, the Bank of Canada numismatic collection will never be able to have a complete collection of Canadian coins. - - from Toronto Star >>

Never? Rubbish! All they have to do is pay Andy DOUBLE! I'm sure he might deal with them. Bottom line is; if they were so important, why didn't a Canadian bid more.....ah, 20-20 hindsight!

I'm reminded of the Japanese contingent that came to the Pittman Sale for a rare 1880 (?) proof set. I suspect their agents bought the individual coins on the first 'go-thru', because noone would up the "group price" at over $400k. Cool part was that a 12 year old kid was the high bidder on the little copper piece (1 sen?) for a few hundred bucks, so he got to take it home.

1jester · October 26, 2003 10:30PM

"Another problem with the sale is that the buyer was Andy Lustig, an American coin dealer."

What a bunch of oafs.....sore losers. Why did they mint the coins in the first place then? Why did they offer them for sale??

mongoose · October 26, 2003 10:44PM

The only problem the author of the article should have is with RCM.

cacheman · October 27, 2003 1:59AM

It certainly stinks of a snooty, elitist, British tone doesn't it?

Avarel · October 27, 2003 2:12AM

I think that the RCM set a bad precedent by minting one of a kinds to specifically sell as they did, but then again with all the crazy stuff that does come out of that mint it doesnt surprise me any. It wouldn't be the first mint to try something different, wont be the last. So much of catalog of RCM falls through the floorboard in the after-market I wish they did something.

Is there some sort of bad blood between the author and Andy beyond the nasty American's how dare you sentiment? I find the phrase 'Another problem with the sale is that the buyer was Andy Lustig, an American coin dealer' to be quite pointed.

shirohniichan · October 27, 2003 3:06AM

The Canadians are just drumming up bad press against the US to give them public support for their army's upcoming invasion of the lower 48!

Clankeye · October 27, 2003 3:19AM

I'm going up there in a couple of weeks. Not to worry. I'll straighten this all out.

Clankeye

MyWorldCoinTypeSet · October 27, 2003 3:27AM

Some of us Canadians don't have a problem with the production of these coins, or their purchase by an American.

laurentyvan · October 27, 2003 3:34AM

On a recent visit to Canada this summer, my 12 year old said" Dad, it looks just like the United States". Add in the movies, music, clothing styles, etc. from the US that seem to dominate Canada, and I'm not suprised the Canadians are a little defensive about unique Canadian items ending up here.

Lloyd · October 27, 2003 3:34AM

"Using eBay, an American-owned online auction house"

This guy's certainly got it in for anything unCandadian. What a snivelling snob....!! And believe me, I'm an expert in Snobbery coming from this island - we invented it.

Must be a personal and political agenda - look at the last paragraph:

"The blame for this idea falls on the shoulders of David Dingwall, former Liberal politico and now CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. Hopefully, he won't do it again. "

Yawl ought to email him individually - give him hell....!!!

L

MyWorldCoinTypeSet · October 27, 2003 3:42AM

On a recent visit to Canada this summer, my 12 year old said" Dad, it looks just like the United States". Add in the movies, music, clothing styles, etc. from the US that seem to dominate Canada, and I'm not suprised the Canadians are a little defensive about unique Canadian items ending up here.

That's because the US has changed itself to look a lot like Canada

mongoose · October 27, 2003 3:59AM

When you see a Tim Horton's, and moose wandering the streets of Mobile Alabama, you'll know the change has run its full course.

canadiancoinguy · October 27, 2003 4:02AM

C'mon, isn't Toronto mostly Liberals who have nothing better to do than complain about this type of stuff?

historygeek · October 27, 2003 4:12AM

Oh, please dont blame this on liberals it is just some stupid reporter that had nothing better to write than this garbage. Better time could be spent writing about softwood lumber or wheat tariffs.

Note: Capital L is used for the Liberal party, lowercase l is used for liberals in general. This is an important distinction that people have to be aware of in Canada because there is a Liberal party.

Askari · October 27, 2003 4:12AM

Well, I just sent a letter to the editor of the Star, so we'll see what deeper kimchi I can get Andy into now that he's reviled all across Canada!

Since it's coming from Texas, it really ought to get Mr. Aaron's dander up.

Any of you "locals" happen to know whether Robert Aaron is a dealer or some other notable Canadian collector?

cosmicdebris · October 27, 2003 6:15AM

Actually Andy bought these for an anonymous client.

MyWorldCoinTypeSet · October 27, 2003 6:22AM

I have seen a few articles from Robert Aaron over the years. I'm not sure if he is a collector or dealer. His articles are mostly coins or currency related.

Darkhorse · October 27, 2003 6:36AM

The Star railed against the millenium 25¢ series, and rightfully so too.

Bruce · October 27, 2003 7:46AM

I don't care that they minted the coins and I don't care who purchased them. I can neither afford them nor am I interested in them.

ajaan · October 27, 2003 9:35AM

<< <i>The Canadians are just drumming up bad press against the US to give them public support for their army's upcoming invasion of the lower 48! >>

will it be 1813 all over again. They burnt Buffalo last time they invaded. If they do it again I'm not sure anyone will notice.

historygeek · October 27, 2003 10:26AM

That is not the only thing we burnt...

But still all in all the Americans did win the War of 1812 because of the Treaty of Ghent.

MrEureka · October 27, 2003 10:39AM

Hey! How did I miss this thread until now!

Anyway, to answer the question "Is there some sort of bad blood between the author and Andy?, the answer is "no". Never heard of the guy. But if he's so upset, he should even the score and buy the King of Siam set.

mongoose · October 27, 2003 12:51PM

But if he's so upset, he should even the score and buy the King of Siam set.

If he cares so much about the BoC collection, Mr Aaron should pony up the cash himself, or organize a group effort to buy the one of a kind coins for them.

It's easy and inexpensive to gripe after the fact.

Bochiman · October 27, 2003 1:15PM

The author seemed to say things that were designed to be inflammatory (maybe he actually felt it was a problem that an American got them, but then, it went to the high bidder...not like Andy was given the right of first refusal).

It is tempting to find the author's mailing address and have a copy of the South Park movie from a few years ago sent to him

(The movie was called something like: South Park the movie...Bigger, better, uncut......I forget the exact title but Canada was the central theme in typical South Park humor style..heh).

Anyway, kudos to Andy, although someone said it was for an anonymous client....I think it would be cool to own current 1 of a kind coinage that was official. I can imagine that sooner or later, someone in canada will want to own them...just make sure they pay in US dollars

mongoose · October 27, 2003 1:35PM

From the Aaron article in Andy's thread: Canadian coins should be minted in sufficient quantities so that every collector who wants one and is willing to pay the price can purchase one.
I agree with the thought, but this hasn't been a reality at RCM or other World mints for quite some time.

I just have to believe that someone at RCM knew exactly what was being created. Specifically, two unique Canadian coins.

shirohniichan · October 27, 2003 2:47PM

<< <i>From the Aaron article in Andy's thread: Canadian coins should be minted in sufficient quantities so that every collector who wants one and is willing to pay the price can purchase one.
I agree with the thought, but this hasn't been a reality at RCM or other World mints for quite some time.

I just have to believe that someone at RCM knew exactly what was being created. Specifically, two unique Canadian coins.

>>

Maybe the RCM just needs to mint unique coins in sufficient quantities so that every collector who wants one and is willing to pay the price can purchase one.

Hey, I have dibs on a Diving Goose dollar struck in tombac!

1jester · October 27, 2003 4:14PM

If Andy did indeed buy them for an anonymous client, I wonder if that client might be rareCanadian? Somehow those coins would seem to fit into their investment scheme. And I'd be happy knowing they got them, because their collection is so awesome.

MacCrimmon · October 27, 2003 10:16PM

<< <i> That is not the only thing we burnt... >>

......and then, the Brits fell back to Halifax and spent 30+ years building the Citadel for an American invasion....hahahahaha!
Nice design, though. I wonder if those cannonballs would have really richocheted around the corners of the interior walls, or just blown a hole in the walls.

OK, back on topic......I believe Sid was an underbidder on one of the coins. Maybe it was just a case of Texas Hold 'em; a setup hand, eh!

1jester · October 28, 2003 2:26AM

...or maybe Sid lost on purpose so as to make it appear that he didn't buy, but then hooked up with some American...

MrEureka · October 28, 2003 4:31AM

If Andy did indeed buy them for an anonymous client, I wonder if that client might be rareCanadian?

Nope, although he did contact me immediately after the sale. I'd be happy to post his message, but the CU censor-software wouldn't allow it.

MyWorldCoinTypeSet · October 28, 2003 4:34AM

Nope, although he did contact me immediately after the sale. I'd be happy to post his message, but the CU censor-software wouldn't allow it.

Well, you have our attention now. Can you at least hint?

MrEureka · October 28, 2003 4:40AM

Can you at least hint?

In the interest of the friendship between our two great nations, I have no choice but to deny your request.

MyWorldCoinTypeSet · October 28, 2003 5:19AM

Askari · October 28, 2003 7:49AM

No, I definitely know that Sid was "up there" but not quite "over the top." Frankly, I did expect him to win them.

shirohniichan · October 28, 2003 9:43AM

If Sid would have won them, would someone have whined in the press that he isn't "Canadian enough" because much of his collection was sold to Americans (including two coins to yours truly)?

Askari · October 28, 2003 10:30AM

WHAT!?!?!?! You purloined two of Canada's greatest treasures?!?!? You ... you ... you snake you!! :mad;

shirohniichan · October 28, 2003 10:37AM

In my defense, I must clarify that one of the coins was a 1918 Newfoundland 50 cent piece, thus it was not technically a Canadian treasure.

The 1911 "quarter" was, though.

Is grey-side sale upsetting

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