I've amassed quite a binder full of tokens and Ebay never seems to amaze me with the tokens sold on their forum. Sure I get plenty of good deals so I don't have a problem with that part of it at all. What really bugs me is some of these sellers who either don't have a clue what their token is worth or they're trying to put the screws to some unknowing collector. Isn't that type of selling deceitful and against Ebay guidelines? Here's two examples of stupid money prices from Ebay sellers. The Cascarets one is really crazy. What do you think? You don't care? You don't collect tokens? I know I can't do anything about it but if I've given the heads up to at least one YN on token prices then, blamo my job is done here. Sorry for the rambling, just had to get it off my mind. Continue on. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800s-Medic...375?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6fcdb1b7 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Michigan-Mu...725?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2333666835
I can understand your concern. Only recently, on another forum, I tried in vain to explain to someone that their medal was a poor copy, but they didn't care to listen. Chris
The first one that comes to my mind is Russell Rulau's book on Hard Times Tokens, and I believe there is another Whitman book on tokens. Chris
United States Tokens covers a huge amount of tokens. However, there are books of tokens for individual States. Some of these are quite extensive, listing tokens not in Rulaus' books.
noone has to buy them...... if they are stupid enough to buy without researching then leave them to it I say.
As YOC said no one has to purchase them. Tokens are maybe $1-$5. those two were taken anyone for a ride. Its up to you buy or don't buy.
Tokens can be worth a couple of dollar to hundreds of dollars depending on several factors. Yes, the vast bulk of tokens can be had in the $1.00 to $5.00 range. As with anything on eBay there are sellers who are too lazy or just do not know how to search the internet for the value of their items, and those who don't care who are out to get as much as possible for everything. The problem is a lot of the latter actually sell their overpriced items to people who are making impulse buys and are clueless as to the item's actual value. A web site I found recently is a great resource on tokens TokenCatalog.com for U. S. and world tokens. Deceitful, maybe, unethical certainly. Against eBay guidelines, perhaps but eBay would have to employ many experts in every category to be able to weed out these types of sellers and that is just not going to happen.
Its not against ebay guidelines. Usually if someone doesnt know the value of an item, they pull a price out of the air...if they sell none they drop it. If they sell lots they raise it. If there are enough for sale buyers see that there are several and can compare prices to weed out the 'ridiculous' ones. If there are none to compare, then maybe its a rarer token?
If you're really interested in tokens Ken you might want to check out membership in the Token and Medal Society (TAMS). Membership is $35 a year, but you'll find a lot of great information about all kinds of tokens and medals. They have an extensive library and sell, at reduced cost to members, different books on a variety of topics. Their journal is published six times a year and has a lot of interesting and well researched articles in each issue. Well worth the price of membership. As Ed says, TokenCatalog.com is a good resource also. Bruce
http://www.cointalk.com/threads/book-list-on-tokens-medals-and-exonumia.233203/ Here is a thread with some I have found along with some other members.
I find the same thing with buying counterstamps on eBay fretboard. Although there aren't any red books or gray sheets for them you have to have some sense of value before you bid. Having been a collector of them for so long, I have a good notion of what I'd pay for a particular piece, and consequently, the value of it. Having said that though, I understand that "value" or "worth" are relative terms. I've bought "junk" stamps a number of times myself only because I felt there was some potential importance to them. I saw them as a research opportunity or as an example of a particular style I'd never seen before. The bottom line here of course is to pay what you're comfortable paying for something. If you're looking for a "good deal" then you better know something about what you're buying. If not, shame on you! Bruce
I have one in better shape which I got for only a few dollars: Cascarets Laxative Pills Token Obverse: Angel sitting on toilet TAILS YOU LOSE / ALL GOING OUT - NOTHING COMING IN Reverse: CCC in lozenge box logo HEADS I WIN / CASCARETS / ALWAYS WIN / BEST FOR THE BOWELS / SCHWAAB MILWAUKEE (Manufacturer) Brass, 32mm, 11.04gm
Exactly my point. The link that I had placed in the beginning up there the seller was asking for $79.95, a quick search around and you may be able to get one for a lot cheaper. You're absolutely right! That's part of the reason I started the thread in the first place, it pays to shop around, especially on ebay.
I am not sure forum members would be silly enough to buy at inflated prices, but others who know nothing of the hobby may. Let the 'others' buy the expensive ones and we can get the bargains.
