The many fraudulent EBay sellers, or the even more >> ridiculously uninformed sellers << coupled with absurd shipping charges? In uncirculated condition his 20 kopeck Russian cu-ni commemorative is only worth $2, and in the pictured condition it would be tough to get half a buck for it.
I disagree. When it comes down to Russian coins, it seems there is a large influx of buyers for no appearent reason against the already "scarce" limited market of Russian coins available. When I started, I paid even up to less than 1/3 of what I have to pay today... Principle of supply and demand there... If there is demand, and little supply, buyers will pay at ridicious prics. An example of a kill that I made some time ago: If I told you that I paid around 300+ dollars for this 1834 commemorative proof ruble, you will call it a daylight robbery as current trends have exceeded over 1grand figure easily.
