Aside from Cartwheels, my need for grading is immediately focused on three Japanese silver coins. This is the newest of the three. All have what many knowledgeable folks call 'rubber-band' stains. I, in my ignorance, have doubts. I will discuss the reasons for my doubts in the posting for the oldest. Provenance (also to be discussed in the posting for the last of them) of these three coins is known since the last half of the 1940's, which in my mind precludes Chinese fakes. I welcome all your comments, and am grateful for the Forum to learn about them. wlw I notice that the pics are posted in reverse order of selection. I'll attempt to arrange more carefully in the next two posts.
Also correctly dated and legitimate appearing. I would expect this one to hammer for $4-5000 at a major auction. The 1875 should go about 10% higher IMHO.
That is stunning news! You say 'major auction'; I'm thinking Heritage...have you any specific suggestions about others? If you had these coins for sale, which one of the auction houses would you trust with that kind of value? Why? I'm obviously a newbie at this, and becoming a wee bit nervous...but I'm smiling! Thanks...
My inclination is the Goldbergs, but only because I have bought some nice things at some of their pre-Long Beach Show auctions. Heritage or StacksBowers would also be very good choices. They are all good, so you might inquire of each of them what their seller fees and buyer's premium are, and pick the one with the best terms.
Personally, I would go with Stacks. They are pretty good about helping with the authentication process through PCGS/NGC. Also, I think they attract more Asian collectors.
Are you familiar with Michaan's, in Alameda CA? They have been recommended for other Asian items, but not coins.
That's an interesting thought. I've been aware that Asian antiquities are being repatriated in enormous quantity, but it hadn't occurred to me that coinage would fall into that market as well. Snooze..... I'll float preliminary inquiries to a few of the auction houses recommended here in the next couple days. Thank you ALL for the pertinent and inspirational help!
