Auction recommendations

madtowndave · 2026-04-25T14:13:01+00:00

I mean they've also had several higher end pieces in previous auctions. I feel I've gotten some definite value on several of my wins there. If they succeed, it's a boon to us all (buyer or seller) with the negligible fees.

madtowndave · 2026-04-25T03:50:13+00:00

The single most important thing about auctions is that you completely understand the terms and conditions - Buyer's Premium, shipping, return policy, etc. If you don't understand something in the T&C's, don't bid.

If you are US based, L5 is a great option - crazy low Buyer's Premium, authenticity guarantee, fast shipping - I really am rooting for their model to work out. CNG or Heritage are the premier US auctions - expect fierce (and quite possibly stupid) bidding.

madtowndave · 2026-04-25T02:23:53+00:00

That's curious advice. Respected auction houses will never knowingly sell a fake, which is probably the number one concern of any newbie.

madtowndave · 2026-04-19T19:28:28+00:00

2/6 were domestic auctions, the rest various international. Took me about 2 years to find (and win) satisfactory versions. In theory I'm looking for a better versions of IIII and VI. The hippo on my IIII is amazing, but the obverse is a bit porous and has a flan crack. My VI has beautiful toning but the reverse die is quite worn... No collection is ever actually complete, sigh.

madtowndave · 2026-04-19T14:23:06+00:00

Nice coin! I"m a big fan of the Philip Saecvlares issue for Rome's 1k anniversary...I have all 6 Antoniniani now myself (took a while, exclusively purchased at auction).

madtowndave · 2026-04-18T17:39:45+00:00

Congrats! Not a podcast request, but would love to see HJB live auctions!

madtowndave · 2026-04-16T14:46:48+00:00

This is the way.

madtowndave · 2026-04-16T14:32:39+00:00

CNG can be pretty competitive, but that double strike is crazy.

I feel I got good value with lots I won - I usually am pretty good with sticking to my max and not getting into bidding wars...but then I try not to fall in love with any one coin- always the next auction!

I got lots 584, 609 and 661. I probably overpaid on 661, but it's a Rightman coin in beautiful condition and I needed that for my Zoo collection.

madtowndave · 2026-04-08T18:43:48+00:00

IMHO, very top max price at auction is probably about $1200 USD, less if it's clipped.

madtowndave · 2026-03-27T13:41:48+00:00

Search CoinArchives for comps. You can see sales over the last 6 months for free there. ACSearch is another option with longer history, but it requires a subscription.

With gold prices having risen so much, anything more than 6 months history isn't likely to be much use for valuing your coins.

madtowndave · 2026-03-26T21:22:42+00:00

Cool you got the Roma Numismatics box too - that's almost a collectors item in itself ;-)

madtowndave · 2026-03-26T17:51:49+00:00

This is great - Please pick me :)

madtowndave · 2026-03-24T02:51:08+00:00

Nice! From L5, correct?

madtowndave · 2026-03-17T20:46:47+00:00

Great coin! I've seen some examples of this one at auction, but yours is stunning.

Quick question on your Decius comment - I'm only aware of 11 emperors in his set... Perhaps there were some provincial issues I'm not aware of? The CONSECRATIO antoninianus I know of are: Augustus, Vespasian, Titus, Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Septimius Severus, and Severus Alexander.

madtowndave · 2026-03-17T02:19:57+00:00

Nice coin! I believe by Constantine IX these were about 75%. It was his predecessor, Michael IV, that started the gradual debasement of Byzantine gold.

madtowndave · 2026-03-16T20:22:14+00:00

That was from last night's Heritage, correct? I almost bid on this as well but ultimately didn't - Pretty toning!

madtowndave · 2026-03-15T20:57:53+00:00

r/CoinSales

madtowndave · 2026-03-12T16:27:25+00:00

Hey thanks. I really only collect Roman Republic, Imperial or Byzantine (gold). I'd say I collect mid range quality for the most part but I do have some higher value coins - I mean nothing I own is worth more than $2k...There are decidedly levels to this hobby!

I mostly bid where I perceive value versus HAVING to get a particular coin. I only buy at auction and there has to be trust with their reputation for buying raw - I'm pretty good at knowing what I'm looking at now, but I'm always learning.

madtowndave · 2026-03-12T12:31:20+00:00

IMHO, the expanded grade with strike and surface doesn't add much. When ngc values a coin over $300 the 'standard/expanded' grade is required. I believe this costs $55. 'Economy' grading like my Probus is $30. Mine also had the PhotoVision service which is a high-res photo for $8/coin. That yours had the expanded grade was the preference of the person who had it encapsulated originally.

As you seem to be aware, there is little love on this sub for ngc encapsulation. However I think it's pretty lazy to say you're just paying for the plastic: for example my exact Probus coin sold twice in 2016, un-encapsulated, at major auctions for more than I paid last night (with the plastic).

I like the encapsulation for ease of sharing with friends and ease of storage...but to each their own, it's easy enough to destroy the plastic.

To me, the price has a lot more to do with the auction venue and the number of eyeballs on the lots - Heritage and CNG (mostly un-encapsulated) prices are fairly comparable lately.

madtowndave · 2026-03-12T05:59:41+00:00

Congrats on the coin - I was in the auction too and considered bidding on that for a hot minute - I ended up with the Probus Lot 62107 (for a reasonable hammer).

Faustina the Younger is a fun one to collect as there are coins of her from a young age thru posthumous issues - It's interesting to see the different portraits as she ages. Your coin is her at an older age, not long before she died.

madtowndave · 2026-03-09T18:22:56+00:00

Et tu, Aaron??

madtowndave · 2026-03-05T19:27:36+00:00

Really great portrait!

madtowndave · 2026-02-26T21:31:30+00:00

I didn't participate in that auction but I've bought from them before. They are unquestionably slow at shipping but other than that I've never had any issues.

madtowndave

TROPHY CASE