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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;greekandromancoins, post: 2780625, member: 87990&quot;]<i>Ken Dorney suggested I post this as a new thread. It was a question in response to his comment in a different thread that it is risky to run low reserve auctions nowadays. I am borrowing parts of my original post in asking my question below.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><b>What has happened to the ancient coin market in the last 10 years?</b></i></p><p><br /></p><p>For those that might be not aware, I took a decade long hiatus from collecting. During that time I completely lost touch with the market and what was happening - I am still catching up.</p><p><br /></p><p>I used to run auctions regularly on eBay 12-15 years ago as well as sell from a website. For auctions, I never used a reserve price even for premium coins (even $1,000 or more) and never once had a coin sell for what I thought was an unreasonably low price.</p><p><br /></p><p>What has happened in the ancient coin market in the last 10 years? Has supply increased or decreased? I thought supply would have decreased because new finds would be drying up? Certainly I recall having access to wholesale lots over a decade ago through wholesale sources and ability to e.g. buy cheap Athens tetradrachms (which is why I still have plenty of them). What has happened on the demand side? Have preferences for different kinds of coins changed? Has the number of collectors declined? Did the economic downturn particularly after GFC impact the ancient coin market? Where have all the active posters on other forums disappeared to? It feels like a deserted island now on the other ones. I am not aware of any other social media platforms which satisfactorily facilitate discussions of ancient coins so have they dropped off or are they on Facebook, Instagram,&nbsp; Pinterest, Quora, Reddit or someplace else?</p><p><br /></p><p>On eBay, I perceive the following as different: the number of uncleaned coins has dropped off. Historically reliable sellers have stopped selling them or are selling them in fewer quantities. The number of fakes or suspect coins has risen dramatically. Lots of unsold coins which I see relisted again and again. I have not seen a single coin which I would call &quot;premium&quot; listed without reserve. In fact most of these are &quot;buy it now&quot; with super high prices relative to elsewhere - and I am not referring to that eBay seller known for listing common coins at super ridiculous prices with a &quot;make an offer&quot; function and occasional discounts. eBay used to be a place to get a bargain on premium coins but now the only bargains I can find are for common bronze coins of which there are plenty.</p><p><br /></p><p>Long-winded post I know but curious to hear what you think has changed, from the perspective of buyers and sellers alike.</p><p><br /></p><p>Peter[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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