Experiences with CGB Numismatics

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone has dealt with CGB in Paris. For those of you who are in North America, or more specifically in Canada, what are your experiences with their service, shipping etc....? With the exception of Roma and more recently NAC, I don’t usually bid in European auctions.

Thanks!

 

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I've been buying from CGB without problems since before 2000.

 

I buy from them now and again when I see a bargain!..Which isn't vey often!...BUT..
Professional, quick postage and what's more important for me excellent customer relations....I'm on the same land mass but fellow collectors over the pond seem to have the same positive answer...

 

I've bought at least two coins from cgb (plus the Wolkow book on the zoo coins of Gallienus), and my experiences were all positive. They do tend to be generous in describing the "grade" of their coins, so you have to make your own decisions based on the photos. I haven't bought any coins from them since the current international mail situation began in March, so I can't tell you how long their coins are taking to arrive in North America, but the Wolkow book arrived in less than one week.

 

Yes I’ve noticed that with the grading, but I think the same can be said for other European auction houses. I think CNG’s grading, though sometimes conservative, is the most accurate.

 

I've bought a few from them, most recently late last year and for a very good price (thanks to @Cucumbor for the heads-up!):


EGYPT, Alexandria. Domitius Domitianus
RY 2 (297-8 CE)
potin tetradrachm/hexagram/othergram; 9.56 gm, 23 mm
Obv: ΔOMITIANOCCEB; laureate head right
Rev: draped bust of Serapis to right, LB left and palm to right
Ref: Dattari 6186; Emmett 4242

 

Veryyyy nice coin @TIF

 

Same here - very positive experience.

 

Hassle free transactions. Very professional service too.

 

I've purchased a sestertius from them last summer, they discounted it 5% which was nice, and made it to the states in a couple weeks. The communication was initially a little lacking, but it turns out that, hey, it was summer and many businesses in France or Europe take weeks/months off (being from US I didn't realize that this happened), so though it took a little time to make the transaction, all worked out just fine and I was happy.

To keep this post honest, here was the coin.

Faustina I, Wife Of Antoninus Pius
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint
Struck in 151 AD as 10-year remembrance of her death.
Obverse: DIVA FAVSTINA, veiled bust right with stephane.
Reverse: AETER-NITAS, Fortuna standing left holding globe and rudder.
References: RIC III 1107c
Size: 33mm, 23.9g
Notes: Very scare.

 

Fast shipping, professional service, and no headaches. I have dealt with them a number of times and have always been very pleased.

 

Like @Orfew and you, I'm also in Canada. CGB is very professional, you can't go wrong. (I also enjoyed visiting their shop in Paris once... they were even friendly, which, for Paris, is saying something! )

 

Haha !
So true !

Parisians feel they are above all and everyone in the world. How could it be different ? They live in Paris, ya know !!

That said, living in France myself (fortunately not in Paris), I've dealt many times with CGB. They are the most prominent coin dealers in France at the moment, with a very efficient service, and promoting free sharing of data (big archive database, editing a free monthly web magazine, which were unusual here in France).

As stated above, their appreciation of grading is somewhat optimistic (it can be very optimistic sometimes) when it comes to selling (it's another animal, when you sell to them, of course). You have to have your own scale in mind to decide whether the coin is worth a bid or not.

Very high starting prices are sometimes disturbing when you're used to low starts made for attracting attention by most auction houses. The consequence is most of the time coins sell at the starting price because they have just one bid, or stay unsold (about 30 % of the offering remains unsold in general).

On the positive side, fees are quite low in comparison to other sources : 10 % + VAT on premium, which is a mere 12 % to add to the hammer price.

More confidential, less in the sunlights, I would consider dealing with I-Numis too, also in Paris, with a similar quality of service, even though their website is far less handy. I've had very good exeriences with them (IDK about their shipping over the pond though)

Hope that helps
Q

PS : I'm of course not affiliated to any of the auction houses I mention, neither by family nor business

 

They are one of the big French dealers in ma-shops and have bought from them with no issues.

 

Just as a minor counterpoint, I bought a high value coin from CGB a handful of years ago and it was a struggle getting communication about where it was in the shipping/customs clearing process. France is notoriously slow with customs clearing but the main issue was that they didn't have experience shipping to the US for a higher value coin and ended up pulling a favor with another auction house to manage the transport of it.

I did receive the coin in the end but it took almost six months to arrive, with only part of that time being the export delay.

 

I think the point @AncientJoe arose has been solved, thanks to the Covid situation. They have now exeprienced shipping via DHL and it looks like they are satisfied with the service. They might well go on using them in the future while the situation improves

Q

 

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences... I think I’m safe to go ahead and bid!

 

I’ll have to visit them next time I go to Paris....it’s one of my favourite cities. I’ve been to Paris 4 times but I wasn’t actively collecting then.

 

That's great to know - thanks!

 

I have had good luck with their e-auctions. My last lot was 4 cut coins, including the top of Nero's head. I thought the price was a bargin.

I have bid only a few times on their Live Auctions. The LA coins are nicer and prices a bit higher. When I won a lot in the live auction, it took longer to hear from them.