Hit and Miss Bargains
As the new year begins, we’re close to making a resolution to cease bidding in Proxibid auctions whose sessions lack sharp photography. On the one hand, we patronize some of these auctions because we...
View ArticleAuctions that Aren’t
Click the above picture to expand We grow weary with seeing so-called auctions like this on Proxibid. Coins open at or near retail. Buyer’s fee is high. Auctioneer sees maximum bids and can shill bid...
View ArticleHyping Bottom-Tier Slabs
We hope that our continuing exposure of auctioneers hyping bottom-tier slabs will inform bidders and auctioneers alike. When collectors bring these coins to a dealer, they learn the truth about how...
View ArticleWish List of Proxibid Rules
Auctioneer Sean Cook of Liberty Shops Auctions and Proxiblog drew up a list of guidelines we wished that Proxibid put into practice, creating an even playing field for the online bidder. Many of these...
View ArticleFree Silver Eagle Giveaway!
A regular sponsor, concerned about grading and replica issues on Proxibid, not only will support our scholarship tomorrow but also will offer a Silver Eagle to the first registered Proxibid user who...
View ArticleSilver Eagle Won Within Hours
An astute viewer took up our and Auctioneer Sean Cook’s challenge of identifying the primary flaw of the above picture, an 1879-CC Trade Dollar, a counterfeit coin in as much as the last circulating...
View ArticleAre You a Real Auctioneer?
We continue to see Proxibid sessions like this one, with reserves on inexpensive coins at or approaching retail, and have to wonder whether these houses have any confidence or experience in conducting...
View ArticleGrading Tiffey’s Auction
We will run occasional grading checks on Proxibid auctions so you can see how we bid based on condition. These coins are from Tiffy’s Auction timed auction ending Feb. 21. We grade on PCGS standards...
View ArticleMore California Gold Replicas on Proxibid
We continue to see fake, plated and replica California Gold misidentified as authentic on Proxibid, eBay and other portals. It’s time something is done about the problem. A few Proxibid auctioneers...
View ArticleSubjective Grading
Everyone has his or her own standards, and that applies to people who put coins in holders and then use the Sheldon grading scale (1-70) to designate what looks like an authentic grade. Problem is,...
View ArticleAvoid Retractions by Double Checking Lots
We learned the hard way when we first starting bidding three years ago that not all lot descriptions are what they claim. Sometimes the title and lot description do not jive. Sometimes the designation...
View ArticleShipping Still an Issue with Some Auctioneers
There will be two kinds of auction houses in the near future–those that adapt to the Internet and accept changing times and those that close shop because they are too stubborn to adapt their...
View ArticleStand-Alone Booyah for Star Coin and Currency
Every now and then we come across a coin lot description that impresses us. The last one occurred on March 7, 2013, in a post about lot descriptions by Paige Auction. Today we’re recognizing Star Coin...
View ArticleSharpen Lot Descriptions
The best way to move lots and spark bidding is to shoot a sharp photo. The next best way is to describe the lot numismatically. Owen McKee takes pains to compose a thorough lot description on a folder...
View ArticleCoin Dealer Newbies
Savvy coin dealers know that the expense of online sessions–from credit cards to shipping–require cherry consignments of the type that Fox Valley, SiverTowne and Capitol Auction regularly bring to...
View ArticleSmall Change, Big Benefits: Photos Enhance Bottom Line
We often note that small changes to cater to the Internet audience usually result in big benefits, another lesson proved recently by Gary Ryther Auctioneers, which has improved its photography. Watch...
View ArticleStand-Alone Booyah for Southwest Bullion and Coin
Every now and then we come across a coin lot description that impresses us. The last one occurred on May 23, 2013, about lot descriptions by Star Coin and Currency. Today we’re recognizing Southwest...
View ArticleNew Rankings, New Houses, Almost 38,000 Views!
Competition among top coin-selling houses on Proxibid has been keen even by standards of our 0.5 rating system, meaning that a half point separates one seller from another. Only one scored tops in all...
View ArticleMeet Darron Meares, Competitive Auctioneer!
Yesterday we ran a post about a non-competitive eBay-like “Buy It Now” seller who had a 60% mark-up on a common Morgan dollar. We promised to showcase a real auctioneer and highlight his competitive...
View ArticleUse Early Bird Registration to Boost Bidding
Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction has been among the most progressive innovators on the portal. They perfected email advertising long before others. They came up with tiered bidding long...
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