Should I use my real name when selling my collection at auction?

Hi everyone,

As many of you may recall, I sent my extensive Parthian collection (400 coins) to CNG on consignment a few months ago. Well, I just heard back from them that the initial cataloguing/sorting into lots/etc. is done, and the collection will go on sale in one of their electronic auctions in April. Great news! But, they also asked whether I want to have the collection listed under my own name, or if I would prefer to use some pseudonym.

Well, naturally my ego would be gratified by seeing my real name associated with a quality public sale. But my paranoid side makes me worry that associating my real name with valuable coins in a public space might make me a target of thieves. Or, maybe a compromise, where just my last name is used? (My last name, although not super-common like "Smith", is also far from unique to me- even running my first plus last names through Google turns up multiple different individuals.) So, do you think I should use my full name, just last name, or a pseudonym (if I did I would choose Parthicus)? You can cast a vote in the poll for the next two days, but I'd also appreciate hearing your reasoning. I would especially value hearing from anyone who has had the same choice. Thanks!

 

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I would use my real name....

 

I say go with Parthicus so I know which coins to bid on I'm still in need of a nice Parthian coin.

 

Absolutely a pseudonym. The risks far outweigh the pride benefits.

 

BCD used his initials (although he is well-known anyway).

 

Agreed. It only takes once, and you would have a lifetime of regrets. Forget the salving of the ego, think of yourself and your family.

 

Why don't you use your real name here? I know that answer, of course. And that is why you should not use it for this auction. Even if the risk is only 1% that is probably more than you want.

 

Are you famous enough that a collector will pay a premium just for the provenance of saying "ex-Parthicus"? If so, you're already known by name and you're already a target of thieves, so you might as well go for the premium associated with your real name.

If the bidders will say, "who is Parthicus?" then the use of your real name won't bring a premium and will only carry a security risk, and I wouldn't do it.

So, the question is how famous are you in collecting circles?

 

This is the best answer.

 

Parthicus or Private Collection

 

Parthicus, just because it's cooler. Whomever buys one of your coins will be wondering forever, "Who the heck is Parthicus????"

 

If it were me, I would use "The Ultimate Coin Collector"

All kidding aside, I think the that if you are planning to be a regular seller using your real name may benefit you in the future. If its a one time thing, I see no need to use your real name.

 

+1

 

You can do the auction using a pseudonym, but later tell the numismatic librarians at the ANS and the FitzWilliam the real name of Parthicus. In this way posterity can know, while your peers remain in the dark.

 

I've seen some collection names like "Waccabauc" and "Just Having Fun" as well as collector names like "Eliasberg" and "Col. Ellsworth." I'd say use a pseudonym if you are concerned about security.

 

Safety concerns would override any other issues, in my opinion.
I would therefore use a pseudonym.

I like the way British auction houses do it.

- A Fine Collection of (fill in the blank), the Property Of a (.....fill in the blank) Gentleman/Lady.

 

I voted for pseudonym. A memorable one that comes to mind is "Collection of a Texas Wine Doctor" from a few recent CNG sales .

 

Definitely pseudonym. Parthicus sounds about right.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied and/or voted. The response seems overwhelmingly in favor of a pseudonym, and I was already tending a bit that way myself. So look for the Parthicus collection this April!

 

Ok. Now that you seem to have come to a conclusion as to what you will do, let me ask the folks here the why of it all. I'm in the process of selling my current home and am shredding all kinds of records that show my SSAN and other personal info. However, papers with just my name and address are going directly into the trash. If I were to do like @Parthicus and sell my collection, why do I care if someone knows my name as the previous owner? I know I will get swamped with answers, so let it fly.