Question on Clio from CNG

Hi guys,

I keep losing to Clio on the CNG online auctions. He seems to have extremely deep pockets and, unfortunately for me, is usually interested in the same coins I am interested in. I wanted to know whether he also bids in the printed auctions? or does he limit himself only to the e auctions? Thanks!

 

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I don't know the answer to your question, but I feel your pain. We have all lost to Clio, numerous times.

 

I'd like to meet the person. If he/she/they isn't a dealer/seller, has to have one hell of a collection.

 

I apologize for my ignorance, but who's/what's Clio?

 

A known buyer on CNG auctions who has extremely deep pockets. @AncientJoe has vouched for him.

 

When Clio gets interested in a particular theme or type of coin, he has the pockets to go in and buy out an entire category, or make you pay dearly for the coin if it's the type that you just got to have.

Good on him. I too wish I could see his collection. It must be truly impressive. Some decades from now when the Cleo estate decides to sell his collection, it should really put a dent on ancient coin prices, but for those here young enough, that may be the perfect opportunity to load up on bargains.

 

Add to the list an alias "stooge".

 

Recent history wouldn't support this theory, at least not if Clio's collection is high-quality.

The most notable recent example, sold at NAC in two successive auctions, was the Gasvoda collection, which brought some incredible prices and seemed to accelerate price inflation rather than depress it.

 

Ah. This topic again. Look, as one who have been in the business for 30 years I either have sold to or known most of the biggest names (and if I dont, I have the experience of others to advise me).

Auctions are like anything else. Maybe Clio wants something badly. If that is the case nobody will ever win. If he is only slightly interested you may have a chance. Just like any auction anywhere. It only takes two bidders.... But, well, with the way things are going now, well, Clio might just become a poor kid from the other side of the tracks compared to who may come after. Who knows?

There are phrases that come to mind not just with this bidder but others. "more money than God' comes to mind as does 'richest in human history'. If you knew who they were you would not question their monetary reserves. In my heyday I sold coins to the most famous and richest one could imagine, but in these days people make billions of dollars in months. Its hard to comprehend. 'Rich' people I sold to in the 80's and 90's are excessively poor in comparison, even though they might have been more recognizable and famous.

But that may be the point. As these individuals become more adept in their collections they tend to ignore the lower hanging fruit. After all, with all their reserves, they already have an example and likely the best.

Honestly its the same even if they weren't rich and famous. If someone bids higher than you, who cares? They wanted it more than you did (or more than your funds could allow, perhaps it is the same, but those lines do blur).

Alas, I no longer sell to these people. So my opinions are perhaps moot?

 

What does Clio not go for? Just curious.

pleasebelateRomans/Byzantines/Germanics

 

Nothing.

 

AzmyMan,
I look at it this way, loosing to Clio, whomever they are, is an Ancient collectors rite of passage.

 

I do not lament Clio. Either you win the bid or you do not. If you want it, you will bid commensurate to the coin's value at that moment in time (ie during that coin's auction bid process.) Called the market dynamics of supply and demand. If I really want something, I will bid to win the auction. Squawking about lost bids is fruitless.

I have never needed a coin. But there are MANY coins I want...

I do not know if anyone cared or wanted this coin. But I did...

Etruria Populonia 2-1-2 as 3rd C BC AR Radiate Fem Hd CII Blank EC 104 HN Italy 179 RARE 2 exist

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I am not whining about losing to him or anything, I have been losing to him for the past 4 months that I kind of got used to the frustration lol Clio has a financially better lot in life than I (and many others) do and that's fine by me; but that's why I was wondering about the printed auctions and whether he bids on them with the same level of enthusiasm. Cause if this is not the case then I would rather participate in the printed auctions and pay the higher price from now on than get my ass handed to me again in the e auction.

 

I haven't bid in many CNG auctions lately in part because Wednesdays are crazy at work. This week I'm on vacation and the Provincials section held many good targets. How nostalgic... it had been a while since I was Clio'd

I snagged one coin though.

 

Same here! Was aiming for 5 coins of the beautiful Hermanubis collection and only managed to catch one. Was really hoping for a rare Elgabalus tetradrachm but oh well...

 

I was probably bidding on that one too. I did get one of the Elagabalus tets.

 

@AzmyMan, you might get a chuckle out of these prior Clio-carping posts:

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/yesterdays-cng-auction-illustrated.260849/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/sometimes-a-copy-will-have-to-suffice.272376/

 

Clio and I don't fish in the same waters (or for the same fish usually).

Clio



chrsmat71

 

OK, while I have to admit that I rarely find humor on this site clever or funny (contrary to the coin content that I find interesting and insightful), this one cracked me up.