Anyone else watching it? Some stuff selling for crazy money and yet many lots going for half of the guide prices.
@Coin-Dude, I'm not sure the weather in Dallas means too much to their auctions. I believe they have heavy online participation.
I had bids on 10 coins. I put my bid limits over wholesale but under guide. I lost the 5 that settled on the 27th. I have lost 4 of the other 5 today. I am not seeing low prices on the coins I bid on. Nothing I have been going after has been selling for 50% of guide.
You're probably right about the HA auctions. I was just looking forward to walking the floor and seeing new dealers. It only takes a bit of snow and ice to make a huge mess of the traffic here. It wasn't worth the risk. I hope they had a good turn out.
FWIW, my bidder # from viewing lots was 216. Not that I was present - left around 1pm. I monitored about half an hour, 45 minutes of the Friday session on-line from my warm and cozy seat at dinner. I would have bet (you never know because they don't show the room, just the podium) that there were only 2 or 3 buyers in the room. I saw only one lot go to the floor. Most lots 'went' to one of the two HA employers bidding on behalf of the internet, mail & phone bidders. This was the mid-priced gold section - not the high valued session 1. Picking one Lot 4119 1842-O $2 1/2 XF45 NGC. Variety 1 Sold for $998.75 (includes BP) Grade / Coin World(Coin Values) / Numismedia Retail / Numismedia Wholesale / Heritage Value Index / NGC Price Guide / NGC+ / PCGS Price Guide / PCGS+ / CCE SS/SU 45 $1,350 $1,810 $1,446 $1,200-$1,450 --- --- $1,750 $1,850 ---/$620 I would have expected it to sell closer to the wholesale price... 1,446 This went to a floor bidder: Lot 4130 1906 $2 1/2 MS66 NGC Sold for: $1,175.00 (includes BP) 66 --- $1,970 $1,575 $1,950-$2,400 $2,100 $2,300 $2,000 $2,400 ---/$1,100 Another Lot 4141 1856-S $3 XF45 PCGS Sold for: $1,468.75 (includes BP), again would have expected closer to wholesale of 1,745. 45 $2,350 $2,185 $1,745 $1,550-$1,900 --- --- $2,100 $2,150 ---/$940
(yes, I'll grant you 'not half' - hyperbole - but many of the lots had wildly different guide prices across the various sources, especially CCE... wonder if they've lost their relevance)
As gold has moved down I have found the guide prices to be very high compared to what coins are selling for. In some cases even wholesale has not moved down (even though auction prices are coming down). A few coins I have been bidding on have higher wholesale amounts then guide prices. That seems strange.
I took a look at those lots, my thoughts based on the photos, the 42-O looks overly bright to me and probably dipped out. The 1906 looks properly graded but has some unattractive copper spots esp. on the rev. The 3$ gold also has an overly bright lifeless look to it and is poorly struck (look at the hair and the left hand wreath on the rev). I think buyers are being picky and holding out for original coins that appeal to them. The market works pretty well, I think. just my h.o.
Lot 7278 - 1940 Merc 66 toner... guide prices 32/29/23 - sold for 550 Lot 7283 - 1952D Rosie - 67FB ... guide prices 220/325 - sold for 180 Lot 7284 - 1952D Rosie 67+FB ... guide prices 220/325 - sold for 2,300 I think the two above are registry set chasing Lot 7286 - 1960D Rosie 67FB w/ a little tone ... guide prices 525/800 - sold for 360