I wouldn't really look at the prices that they give, but I do use the website to look for metal content, mintages, weight, etc.
Really nice site for older coins They do not do a good job with auction prices It is mostly (where they actually give photos) 1793-2014, Colonials, and Territorial, and patterns I would look at the prices on PCGS Price guide, which is what they use RCM
They are a bit slow in logging recent auctions, but that is quite understandable given the sheer number of coins for which data must be entered and checked. All factors considered, I think they do an excellent job.
So.... PCGS' coinfacts does "not do a good job with auction prices", so you suggest the PCGS price guide while being sure to note that this "is what they use"? I assume you're alluding to the often differences between PCGS "guide" and the listed auction prices, but am unsure why you would think generally inflated guide prices better than real-word sales.
That's a very easy question to answer. Auction prices realized that you see in CoinFacts generally DO NOT reflect what the end user of a coin is willing to pay, as many, if not most of the coins sold at major auction are purchased by middlemen (yes, dealers) for their clientele, and resold for a profit.
Yes, to the latter part anyway, but this wasn't the reason for my (somewhat in jest) question. I would also have to say that based upon my own experiences, much is dependent upon type. With seldomly traded material, yes, but with more common, not so much.
I use Coin facts regularly, It's a great reference and tool. Some times I wish that each result had photos. The photos are usually good enough to get a realistic Idea, of whether or not a coin is A-B-C for each given grade. It's very easy to use also.
I use it constantly. For info on a coin the population report as some coins are a lot scarcer than value or mintage would lead you to believe and the auction listings too to see what similar are selling for
Wow, look at how cheap gold used to be! Anyway, PCGS Coinfacts is a great website with lots of useful information (you can even use it to attribute varieties!) However, the survival estimates aren’t entirely accurate - the Seated Half variety books show this. (In case you’re curious the seated half variety pdfs are available on the LSCC website)
