As a collector, I might buy a coin that is not "fresh" if I really like it in hand. Maybe I knew it was in an auction and didn't have the chance to look at it or have someone look at it. Or my funds were a little low when it was available. The "freshness" would only cause me to hesitate because I would be concerned I'm missing something.
If I was a dealer, even if I liked the coin I might hesitate because I would assume that a lot of the possible buyers for the coin already had a shot at it when it was on the market. The more expensive the coin, the more I might think about the freshness. Dealers on here might tell me I have this all wrong.
By the way, RYK, thanks for posting. Since I don't collect gold, I forget to check the Winters website even though it's always an enjoyable look.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Sometimes, "fresh" is in the eye of the beholder. I'm proud to say that, several years ago, I bought some of RYK's cast-offs. I'm still a happy owner of those coins. And, no - RYK isn't going to get them back anytime soon.
Were the coins "fresh" when I bought them? Are they "fresh" now?
If I was a dealer, even if I liked the coin I might hesitate because I would assume that a lot of the possible buyers for the coin already had a shot at it when it was on the market. The more expensive the coin, the more I might think about the freshness. Dealers on here might tell me I have this all wrong.
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No, your analysis is exactly the process by which most upper-level dealers evaluate major purchases, especially at auction.
I will very rarely buy anything from a Platinum Night except for a customer or as an upgrade. Too easy to track my cost and this limits my upside.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
"Fresh" simply has too many definitions anymore and is perhaps up there with "original" as one of the most overused terms in numismatics. Call me old school if you wish but I always thought "fresh" meant fresh to the market, as in 'never seen prior to this appearance'. A coin can only be fresh to the market once imo.
Comments
I wonder what his definition of a "mundane" coin is.
If I was a dealer, even if I liked the coin I might hesitate because I would assume that a lot of the possible buyers for the coin already had a shot at it when it was on the market. The more expensive the coin, the more I might think about the freshness. Dealers on here might tell me I have this all wrong.
By the way, RYK, thanks for posting. Since I don't collect gold, I forget to check the Winters website even though it's always an enjoyable look.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
"mundane" = "common" or "ordinary" or "ho-hum"
Sometimes, "fresh" is in the eye of the beholder. I'm proud to say that, several years ago, I bought some of RYK's cast-offs. I'm still a happy owner of those coins. And, no - RYK isn't going to get them back anytime soon.
Were the coins "fresh" when I bought them? Are they "fresh" now?
Who knows.
All I know is that they're nice and "dirty"!
Check out the Southern Gold Society
<< <i>Mr. Winter ueses the term "mundane" in his article.
I wonder what his definition of a "mundane" coin is. >>
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If I was a dealer, even if I liked the coin I might hesitate because I would assume that a lot of the possible buyers for the coin already had a shot at it when it was on the market. The more expensive the coin, the more I might think about the freshness. Dealers on here might tell me I have this all wrong.
... >>
No, your analysis is exactly the process by which most upper-level dealers evaluate major purchases, especially at auction.
I will very rarely buy anything from a Platinum Night except for a customer or as an upgrade. Too easy to track my cost and this limits my upside.
<< <i>This give me a headache. >>
that makes two of us
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<< <i>This give me a headache. >>
that makes two of us >>
Take two aspirin and complain to me in the morning.
I thought it was an interesting blog with some terrific commentary by outstanding numismatists.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.