I have never bid with the auction house - yet did read a few threads on here. Some OK experiences and some others with shipping issues....Perhaps some of the problems are growing pains? Who knows.. glad to hear anyone's experiences. Their next auction is December 19th .. over 600 lots. https://www.biddr.com/auctions/papillonnumismatic/browse?a=1461&c=30822 But I will say that these terms are certainly refreshing: Service Fees Papillon Numismatic charges 10% commission from sellers and 10% from buyers for its service. Sellers and buyers who wish to participate in Papillon Numismatic auctions are deemed to have accepted these provisions.
I did successfully win two items , I have shown one the Severina coin in another post. I also won a very nice Tremissis. It took under two weeks for me to receive the coins. The shipping was only 10 euros. I did not sign for my coins, but they were sent from trackable mail , I am very happy with them. I will bid again.
Appreciate that... I have my eye on a couple in the upcoming auction. Just want a bit of reassurance before placing a bid. Thanks.
I received one from them a couple of days ago. Very pleasantly surprised. Fast shipping and the coin was significantly better than the photo. I will bid again.
I never received a coin from them that I won from their auction on October 25th. On December 2nd, I sent an email explaining that tracking had it listed as delivered on November 9. I never received a reply. On December 8th, I disputed the purchase with PayPal and received a full refund from Papillon the same day. The thing that scares me about Papillon is that they use the cheapest shipping option from Europe, no signature required. From their first auction I bought a four-figure coin and it was shipped in a regular envelope with minimal padding and just left in my p.o. box, no signature needed. Luckily it made it through okay. The one that was lost was much less expensive. Covid hasn't affected signatures for mail sent to my p.o. box. I still need to sign. I take a slip to the clerk and it's hand-delivered to me once I sign and show an ID. So I'm reluctant to take another chance with them unless they make their shipping more secure. It's too bad, because they have some interesting material and their terms are reasonable. Buyer beware, though.
Papillon have recently run another auction on biddr. There are new terms, a 13% fee, but shipping with FedEx for no extra charge. I bid on an elusive Leo II and Zeno solidus which I won. I think I got it at a good price (but it’s still probably the most expensive coin I’ve ever bought). I was very happy with the business. Shipment took a little longer than the 3 days they said, but there was good communication and the coin arrived today. I’m very happy with it and would buy from them again for sure. I think this coin will complete my Roman Emperor quest. I’ve got at least one coin for every emperor (not usurpers) that I’m ever going to be able to get. Maybe if I’m really lucky I’ll spot an affordable Julius Nepos. Leo II and Zeno gold solidus. Constantinople 474. 19.6 ml, 4.38 gms. Obverse: D N LEO Et Z-ENO PP AVG, pearl-diademed, helmeted and cuirassed bust (of Leo or Zeno) facing, head slightly right, spear in right hand over shoulder, shield in left decorated with horseman motif Reverse: SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, Leo II (on left) and Zeno (on right) seated facing on double throne, both nimbate, diademed and wearing imperial mantle, mappa in right hands; star above cross above, CONOB in exergue. RIC 803
It's good to know they're going with FedEx. The last coin I bought from them was lost in the mail, and a coin I bought from their first auction arrived but was poorly packed. It's a large, thin bronze, so I'm lucky it wasn't broken in half. Maybe I'll take a chance on bidding with them again.
I won these 2 coins and I am pretty satisfied, they arrived safely by Fedex and they look better than in the auction pictures. Opinions welcome.
