Question about updating coin values

dcamp78 · June 8, 2010 7:33AM

Hello everyone,

I've been a member here for quite a while, but I've been away for quite a while too.

I'm getting ready to go through my coins and revalue them within my database.
Up to this point, I've used the Krause books to get values and attribution numbers
for my coins, but I'm reaching a point of high frustration. The folks at Krause
seem to change the Attribution numbers whenever they see fit and I'm starting
to question whether the values assigned to them are valid as well.
(i.e. the values could be lower OR higher - I don't care either way, I just want
them to be correct)

So, my question is: how do others that collect foreign coins value and attribute
their coins? If you know a better way to do so, please share.

Thanks,
Dcamp78 aka Dave

OchoReales · June 8, 2010 9:33AM

Quite honestly, within my realm of collecting, Krause is merely a jumping off point. I rely more on auctions records and 'gut' when purchasing because the SCWC's are a bit too generic for me. Sorry that I could not be of any more help

.

JCMhouston · June 8, 2010 10:32AM

For general World coins there still isn't anything better than Krause. For specialized areas there are of course reference books by Spink for example in British.

As for pricing, while a lot of us may complain, no one else puts out general values as well as Krause. Spink has their price guide for British for example, but in many cases it seems like they just arbitrarily added 20-50% to everything for 2010. Really the only way to get precise pricing is to research auction sales yourself for the past 6-12 months. I think we are asking to much from the price guides, particularly with high grade slabbed World material. Pricing is a huge problem, some of the stuff doesn't trade much.

As an example, earlier this year I bought the finest graded 1806 3 berry reverse Halfpenny in MS66RB for $300. Krause lists it at $160, and Spink at 190 pounds. So did I overpay at 2x Krause? I don't think so, it's just that the population of graded coins is 1/0 for the variety, and 4/0 for all varieties that year. Krause (and Spink) only price as "Uncirculated", they don't try to price in increments of uncirculated grades. In the marketplace I think Krause is actually closer for a run of the mill MS63 BN coin, I certainly would not pay Spinks 190 pounds for a regular unc coin.

mudskippie · June 8, 2010 11:25AM

What country or area of world coins are you collecting?

Zohar · June 8, 2010 12:12PM

www.coinarchives.com

dcamp78 · June 8, 2010 12:31PM

Thanks to everyone that has responded. I agree with the points that have been made
and I just wanted to see if anything new had happened in the area of overall pricing
since the repricing has to be done by hand.

I collect stuff from all over the world. I'm not a very serious collector and go for the
lower to mid priced stuff. I also look for insane deals on lots. I've gotten lucky there
a few times.

As with all coins, eye appeal, overall condition, and price are important when looking
to buy a coin.

I'm still having fun with it - and that's what important to me.

Dcamp78

Gazza · June 9, 2010 2:11AM

I use Spink because my insurence company use Spink. The problem with something like Krause is it list American values for world coin. Krause is no good here in the UK because UK coin values for UK coins are a reflection of the UK market not the market for UK coins in the USA. I have often picked up some good bargains for UK coins in the US due to the lower US prices.

Question about updating coin values

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