A Fresh Blog

RYK · April 19, 2011 8:18AM

on Doug Winter's website

(Disclosure: I have no financial interest to disclose.)

ranshdow · April 19, 2011 8:53AM

I like how he implied that collectors are at the top of the numismatic food chain.

SanctionII · April 19, 2011 10:59AM

Mr. Winter ueses the term "mundane" in his article.

I wonder what his definition of a "mundane" coin is.

breakdown · April 19, 2011 11:47AM

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.

DaveG · April 19, 2011 12:03PM

Sanction II,

"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"!

ColonelJessup · April 19, 2011 12:10PM

<< Mr. Winter ueses the term "mundane" in his article.

I wonder what his definition of a "mundane" coin is. >>

Widget

ColonelJessup · April 19, 2011 12:16PM

<< ....

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.

LVGT · April 19, 2011 12:19PM

This give me a headache.

johnny9434 · April 20, 2011 3:52AM

<< This give me a headache. >>

that makes two of us

RYK · April 20, 2011 3:55AM

<< 

<< 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.

ajman · April 20, 2011 4:53AM

Great article and thanks for posting.

telephoto1 · April 20, 2011 5:25AM

"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.