It's amazing sometimes what eBay bidders complain about!

[James_OldeTowne]

Here's an email exchange regarding a holed bust half I just listed on eBay. Is it just me, or is this guy just scrapping to find something to complain about? I'd be interested in your opinions.

 

Link to auction item <(== CAUTION: the link is to an eBay listing that is currently active - but please do not construe this as a "free advertising" opportunity.

 

TRANSCRIPT:

 

Hello. I'm not sure I understand the confusion about my description. I did not call the coin "AU-58", I called it "AU-58, holed". The wear from circulation apparent on this coin is consistent with a grade of AU-58, as described in ANA standards, plus the coin has a hole in it, which I have described again per ANA standards.

 

It's akin to calling a new car with dings from hail damage "new, hail damage", isn't it?

 

Thanks for the question. I hope my response makes sense.

 

Sincerely,

James Garcia

http://www.EarlyUS.com

 

- - - - -

 

Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 21:24:59 -0700

From:

To:

Subject: Question for item #3936556856 - 1833 Capped Bust half, AU-58+, holed @ 11:30, 1cNR!

 

Question about your item

 

Dear earlyus,

 

Aside from what looks like wear on this coin, I'm at a loss to understand how you can call a holed coin "AU58".

 

Item # Item Title Listing end date

 

3936556856 1833 Capped Bust half, AU-58+, holed @ 11:30, 1cNR! Oct-24-04

 

Thank you,

rojomarub

[Leothelion]

Good Morning

ANACS may be the culprit behind this kind of thinking. What they would come up with for an adequate deduction for a net grade is always interesting. Perhaps you should have graded it as a MS MBT for minimal baby teething!

 

Leo

[kryptonitecomics]

Wow that's a lot of holed coins you are selling there.......did you pick them all up together???

[James_OldeTowne]

Actually, they are a consignment. There's an interesting story behind them that the consignor didn't want published on eBay, but I think it's all right for here. In actuality, these are the consignor's son's coins, which were collected while the son was a little boy, on up through high school. The holed and damaged coins were all he could afford on his allowance, and he only liked early half dollars, so he was limited to purchasing other people's rejects. Now, he is in college and needs the money to help with tuition.

 

I really like this kind of collector, because he's a collector in the truest sense of the word. He was passionate enough about the hobby not to let financial limitations keep him from collecting what he wants to. The entire collection (only half of which is currently listed) is pretty close to a complete date set, which is pretty amazing to me for someone who bought coins mostly in the $20 range.

 

I myself have limited finances for coin purchases, which is why I collect primarily circulated coins. Personally, I find it unfortunate that today, there is so much emphasis on super-grade, or "pop-top" coins, which seem to be destined for those with deep financial pockets. Ditto for "full head" or "full split bands" - designations that sometimes seem to just serve the purpose of driving up coin prices.

 

But when someone has to scrimp and save, and watch every dime, forcing him to take the time to ferret out bargains, that to me represents a collector's passion.

 

Some day, when the consignor's finances are better off, he'll have the right tools for building a really nice collection.

 

James

[Wihlborg]

Very well said James.

 

John

[thebeav]

Very well said James.

 

John

 

Exactly !!

Paul

[TomB]

They person who emailed you probably is so used to seeing "net" graded coins in ANACS holders that he/she thinks that is the way grading was and is always done.

 

By the way, cool story about the person who had the near date set of holed CBHs.

[TONY-migration]

I always qualify the description by simply saying something like AU58 "details" with hole. That way it shouldn't be construted as your calling it a AU58 directly. But anyhow I knew what you meant as well as the other 99% of viewers//Tony

[James_OldeTowne]

I've since had a more extensive discussion with the bidder, and get the impression that his heart was in the right place. It seems he thought I might be abusing use of ANA terms, such as "AU-58", for a coin that obviously has a value considerably less than AU-58. I explained that correct use of ANA standards would be to state the details grade, along with a qualifier that accurately portrays the character of the coin.

 

I've also extended an offer to this gentleman to join the NGC forum, and hope he will do so.

 

James

[classicalman-migration]

James, I really enjoyed the story behind the holed coins you have on eBay. In fact I TTT'd the list across the street when you posted over there as I knew there was a chance that Rob (LordMarcovan) might find some of interest. I would urge you to have the owner of the coins let you "tell the story" on eBay or at least have him perhaps post his thoughts on the collection of these coins here. That kind of story should be used as an inspiration to young collectors and those of us who love old coins but are on a limited budget. (sometimes VERY limited) I hope this young person does well in life as I am sure he will with his understanding of purchasing power on a budget. THIS is the type of collector I enjoy hearing about. Makes my modest Type set purchases seem more meaningful now.

[scroll]

There is a slight problem with trying to tell a story in an eBay listing. Unlike here in the forum, most bidders haven't a clue if the story is real or made up.

 

I had to share this listing which closes in a few minutes:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11979&item=3936845025&rd=1

 

Gee, forget about the "possible" unseen hord - I want the bank. At least I can see what it looks like!

[Newmismatist]

That seller seems to have a lot of "Banks" for sale after find "one" in the back of that desk -

[James_OldeTowne]

Just about anything you read on eBay can be a fake story or a real story, and either can be compelling or annoying. The difference to me is whether the "story" is over-hyped or not. With the eBay link you posted, whenever I see so much effort expended on trying to convince me that I might get something really "special", and "There is no telling what your safe could contain", I automatically go on red alert.

 

James

[scroll]

There is one thing true. The "contents" will definately be unseen by the buyers until they make with the silver.

 

Who in their right mind with any coin knowledge at all would not look over each and every lot in such a find as those banks??

 

Maybe I should run one of those auctions and call it grandma's old piggy bank find. You never know what may be inside. Of course granny is long since gone, as is the contents of her piggy bank. But hey, the buyer never knows!

 

 

I think if something seems too good to be true it probably is. It is the rare exception when it is even close to as described. If there is more to it, a seller will often have a trusted 3rd party to authenticate the story, as NGC did for the shipwreck coins.

[Bruceswar]

I have known people that have old jars full of coins and when it comes time to sell.. they just dump it all for one price... I guy I knew picked up a jar full of coins cheap... and it had 2 1914 D Lincoln Cents 1909 S 3 1955 Poor mans DD and 1 of the good ones .. so.... plus some other cool silver..