Actually not. The auction method of selling is deeply ingrained in the Amish/Mennonite/Brethren ethos. And it remains a key part of the local culture even for the "non-plain" (actually known by the plain people as "gay") population. Of course, there is also an antipathy for technology generally and a general mistrust of strangers also at play.
I'm guessing it a reference to what we'd call the "pursuit of happiness," which is a lesser goal in their culture. Life is Serious Business to them. So, "gay" in the celebrative connotation.
BINGO! And yes, they tend not to be among the most "mirthful" of people. It is tolerated in children, and adolescents are expected to "get it out of their systems" during "rumschpringe", but adults are expected to be serious and pious after their baptism, which is ONLY done for adults.
Two pickups on Saturday (sparsest auction crowd I've ever seen - maybe 15 total bidders): 1831 Bust Half XF/AU - $51.00 + 10% BP (has the typical very weak "RIB" in PLURIBUS) 1835 Bust Half AU/BU slider - $56.00 + 10%BP There were scads of Bust Halves, but these were the nicest ones.
And what's the moral of the story? Knowledge, in addition to possessing a willingness to do the legwork, are usually the most important keys to success.
I'm not happy with my photo setup, and I don't often photograph coins at all. Maybe if I felt they conveyed the 3-dimensional object well, I'd do more of it. But I don't.
These Bust Halves have absolutely been dipped at some point, and have only slightly begun to retone. I think a few months in kraft paper 2x2 envelopes might help. The 1835 was in a cardboard 2x2 and the 1831 was in a vinyl flip stapled to a 2x2 envelope. I'm looking to snag a bellows for my setup on a copy stand.