My first successful bid in a standard coin auction: dealer's reputation re invoicing & shipping?

Donna, I won a coin at Nomos yesterday as well. I have purchased several coins in the past and never had a problem.
As for using Transferwise as a method of payment, I use them if I have to. I don't know what their policy is for fraud, non-shipment, etc so I like the protections afforded by a credit card. Using a credit card via Transferwise incurs fees and interest costs. If there is a way to avoid the fees, I hope someone lets me know.

 

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Actually there was an old Nomos in the 70s under different people; I don't think it was a major auctioneer/dealer at that time. The current one started around 12 years ago and the glory came from Alan Walker.

 

You can make a bank transfer from your bank account to the bank account of transferwise without using a credit card.

Edit: I don't think you should worry about fraud/non-shipment for auctioneers like Nomos. For lost deliveries you already pay in your invoice an insurance fee.

 

Thanks. But what if the coin is never sent and the auction house won't respond? Will Transferwise get the money back?

 

There is a very obvious difference between the two Donna. You're present choice is very attractive, congratulations. Be safe

 

From what everyone has said, that's very unlikely to happen with a reputable firm like Nomos. But if one doesn't wish to take any risk whatsoever, then one can always pay the extra 4.4% fee and use Paypal or a credit card.

 

I also highly recommend Transferwise. It is the least expensive way to send money from the USA to another country, both in fees and conversion rates. It is super easy. Just Google Transferwise and go to their website to setup an account. Once you are setup and have established your bank account subsequent transactions are very quick. I usually have my invoices paid within a few minutes after I receive them.

 

No, you can think of transferwise as a very low cost bank transfer with a favorable exchange rate. If you encode the wrong iban they can probably try to get your money back. Otherwise they don't care what you buy with the money and there is no protection.

 

Beautiful coin @DonnaML ! I attended the auction yesterday and saw your winning bid on it!

 

You attended it in person, or by video? Wow. I guess that "DonnaML" user name didn't fool anyone!

 

The response from Nomos to my most recent questions, about whether they accept Transferwise and what kind of mail services they use:

"Yes, we accept payment by Transferwise and you will get an invoice without any wiring fees. All information you need is on the invoice.

Usually we would ship coins of low value with registered mail. If you prefer FedEx shipment there will be additional costs of CHF 30. Please let us know whether this is ok for you and we will send you the correct invoice as soon as it is ready."

 

Sorry, this is off point. But, Gotta say it, @BenSi, that is a Stunner of a tetarteron. Never saw one of Alexius that good before.

 

Just received an email from them. They have changed their name to Wise. Maybe they are broadening their services.

 

Congrats, Donna. Another nice addition to your already impressive RR collection.

I have been very happy dealing with Nomos in the past. I think the grading is fairly conservative, and none of the coins I’ve received have looked worse in hand than in the auction pics, more often better. They take a little while to ship, and as I’ve understood, the Swiss postal system has been somewhat affected by Covid. You should still expect to be provided with tracking number when the coin is sent.

 

@DonnaML just online!

 

Yep, Alan Walker has a great reputation in numismatics and the experience and knowledge to back it up. You can feel very safe purchasing from Nomos. Their coins are great too.

I also rerecommend signing up for their newsletters. They are informative and usually written with a sense of humour. Always enjoy reading them.

Well done on your win Donna!

 

Nomos is absolutely reputable.

Alan Walker, a well known name by those interested in numismatic scholarship, is its principal. Roman Republican collectors are aware of the 1980s "Hersh and Walker" redating of mid first century BC coins following the reporting of the Mesagne hoard. Well it's that Alan Walker.

Trust them. And there are others. How about NAC? And CNG? Roma? Kuenker?

 

Thanks. I had no idea that they were the same person.

 

P.O.M., I did a double take on that coin , & personally I wouldn't touch it. There are so many good fakes of this issue, buyer beware .


Obolos 18, Lot 912. This coin looks uncomfortably close to the Roma E-Sale 65, lot 1004 example pictured below .


Pictured below is a genuine example of Sear 1820 sold at NAC Auction 29.

 

Your concerns have been my hesitation about Transferwise. I like the concept, however, with my past experience with Credit Cards and/or PayPal being able to resolve issues and affording protections. I could not find any of that with Transferwise.

My issue is that with all of my past traveling during my career, my credit cards have been hijacked from 1 to 4 times per year. Each time, I had to have a new card issued. However, I have never been stung with lost monies, transactions, etc. They have done an excellent job protecting my transactions, usually contacting ME if they see an issue.

If they afford all the protections as discussed, I would enjoy using Transferwise!