could some one comment on this coin from eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/154524562100?hash=item23fa61b2b4:g:BI8AAOSwMWRg6FFF have a friend that wants to buy it - I am little concerned because the photo from NGC looks little different. Thank you
Authenticity aside -- and I see nothing leading me to believe the coin depicted is not the one graded by NGC -- have you or your friend done research to see if a $50,000 price tag is justified for a coin like this?
It looks like the CNG coin which sold for $16,000 back in January. Triton XXIV Lot 144 Even with the juice the coin should still be less than $20K. That is a very nice mark up. In my mind the coin is more of a lower end VF.I see very little hair detail at all and the laurels are washed out. At $50 K you should expect a much better coin. Also going through his feedbacks, I looked at his first two pages. All but two are from people who he has purchased things from. Only two are from people who have purchased from him. Caveat Emptor
Thank you - seller is willing to take $25K for the coin - I will relay your input before he makes a decision.
It sold for $16,000 in January, and he wants $50,000 in September? Not a chance. Not even for the $25,000 he's "willing to take". Ask him what justifies such a crazy markup in eight months.
For a slightly different perspective on the apparent $25K acceptable offer for this coin, I would point out that the all-in-price for this coin in the Triton auction, after buyer's fee and shipping, would be about $19,500. So the $25K price is about a 28% retail markup, which I personally would consider an acceptable percentage from a retail dealer IF this were a coin in which I was interested. In my mind, the key issues would be (1) is this a coin that I really want in my collection, and (2) does the $25K asking price represent an acceptable market value for this coin at this time? Another way to look at this coin is, did the purchaser in the Triton XXIV auction get a minor bargain at $19.5 all-in, or did he/she pay an effectively retail price? I can't answer any of these questions myself, but I do think that while the $50K eBay price is patently ridiculous, a $25K price may be worth a second thought.
A great point, and to the original poster, I'll also add: does your friend want "a" Vitellius aureus or this specific one? If this specific one, can they state why? I am not trying to dictate what or why someone should collect something but to instead hope that people spending money know why they're spending it, not just trying to cross an item off the list with any arbitrary example that comes up for sale. It was estimated at $7500 and hammered at $16K, without a lengthy pedigree or a particularly novel reverse type or obverse style. Several of the aurei recently posted in this thread https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-few-new-acquisitions.386002/ are within that price tier and all have multiple, readily recognized reasons for being great coins that merit the price. Many "telemarketer" types are pitching Twelve Caesar aurei to unsuspecting collectors which can leave them saddled with overpriced coins or without an appreciation for the set. @IdesOfMarch01 's coins are a great example of how a Twelve Caesars set can be built, with particular care for each example and each coin being a true standout. This strategy applies to any price tier - not just expensive coins - as there are a myriad of interesting types to go around that allow for collectors to express their own unique tastes in how they assemble their set.
You can also tell your friend that there are 3 for sale in Roma auction XXII next month (along with a nice Galba and a nice Otho).
