ALL TIME FAVORITE SELLERS:
NOTE: Auction houses in our top rankings do not see maximum bids or allow bidding by auctioneers or their employees. All rankings are based on Proxiblog buying experience to establish informed opinion. Your online experience may differ from ours or these reviews.
1. Capitol Coin Auctions
25 points. One of the most professional coin houses on the portal and, in our opinion, one of the top sellers on Internet. Low buyer’s fee, 15%. Consignments are among the best, and owners write accurate lot descriptions that are of PCGS accuracy. Great photos, too--among the best on Proxibid. More than 35 years in the business. Hosts only a half dozen sessions per year, but each is an event with coins from estates. Never overlook this house on Proxibid.
2. Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction
25 points. Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction. Detailed photography. Best innovation. Top online advertisements. Numismatic descriptions. Low or tiered buyer's fees. Runs budget-saver auctions. Highly competitive, innovative. Provides detailed receipts for both buyers and sellers. Very responsive. See "On the Block" entry for more information. Usually ships within 3-4 days.
3. Fox Valley Coins
24.5 points. One of our favorite Proxibid houses. Excellent consignments. This is the place where the best buys on the portal can be had if the bidder knows numismatics. We are excited to participate in each auction because of the vast array of key dates, varieties and rarities. Schedules only a few mega-auctions per year on Proxibid, but each one is an event! Now accepts credit cards. Photography greatly improved, which makes up for the lack of numismatic descriptions. Buyer’s premium is 18%.
4. SilverTowne Auctions
24.5 points. Exceeds basic criteria in both buying and consignor categories. Among best coin grading and descriptions on Proxibid. Top consignment policy for rare coins. Timed auctions offer great bargains with good selections. Accepts returns on counterfeit coins or if error made in description. Among fastest shippers on Proxibid using numismatic packing. Usually ships within 1-2 days.
5. Leonard Auction
24.5 points. Among the best consignments on Proxibid, and for good reason, too. John Leonard's policies of 0% seller's fee for lots that bring $250 or more ensures top numismatic items. Completely thorough lot descriptions. Quick shipping. Professional customer service. For more about this reputable house, see this "On the Block."
6. Jewelry Exchange
24.5 points. A long-standing reputable auction house featuring regular coin consignments, including gold, US and World coins (and on occasion Ancients) with 15% buyer’s premium, great customer service and quick shipping. Photography adequate; lot descriptions, accurate. See the company’s “On the Block” by clicking here.
7. Krueger and Krueger Auction
24.5 points. Kurt Krueger is a seasoned numismatist who conducts exemplary auctions on Proxibid. This house also is innovative and understands the importance of the online audience. Of particular note is his accurate lot descriptions. He’s not afraid to say “Hogwash” to bottom-tier alleged grades, and we love him for that.
8. Back to the Past Collectibles
24.5 points. 10% online buyer’s fee. Excellent photos. Quick shipping. Auctioneer C. Scott Lovejoy has made significant improvements and secured fine consignments. We admire houses like his that aim to please the online bidder! Rapidly becoming one of the top coin auctions on Proxiblog.
9. Star Coin and Currency
24.5 points. One of the best timed auctions on the portal. Keeps improving. Yet another company that pays attention to customer service. Sharp photography. Numismatic descriptions. Inexpensive, fast shipping.
10. Meares Auction
24.5 points. Charges 5% online buyer's fee for coins. See this article for Darron Meares' innovations. Improved photography. Courteous customer service. Ships reasonably and quickly. Knows coins. One of the longest Proxibid sellers and top auction house; nationally recognized as leader in industry.
11. Kaufman Realty and Auctions
24.5 points. Kaufman Realty features strong consignments, fair photos, numismatic lot descriptions and regular coin auctions. 15% buyer’s fee makes looking here a must. Shipping time is improving. Always worth the wait.
12. McKee Coin Auction
24.5 points. Charges 20% buyer's premium and doesn’t use APN, but gives 5% cash discount and uses PayPal. Consignments are improving, and photography is vastly improved. We know Owen McKee and are pleased that he is sharing his vast numismatic knowledge in his descriptions. You can also find the unexpected in his two-day 1500+ marathons, including Canadian coins. Shipping is reasonable but charges $1 per lot handling fee.
For other companies meeting basic criteria, click here.
Great Tip Dr. Bugeja,
You have given some great examples of what to look for.
There are a ton of fakes out there buyers. So, arm yourself with knowledge. If it doesn’t feel right and it doesn’t look right, it’s probably not right!
Naturally toned Peace Dollars with any bright colors are generally pretty difficult to come by and usually go for very high premiums. Because of their rarity and stunning beauty, rainbow coin collectors tend to hold them forever.
Some experts believe by 1921 when Peace Dollars were first minted, the metals used were substantially more refined and “clean” than dollars minted before then. Which seems to be a big factor in the toning or lack there of, on a Peace Dollar or even a 1921 Morgan Dollar. How many bright rainbow toned 1921 Morgan Dollars do you see available? Not many, possibly because of these more refined metals just like in Peace Dollars. Believe or not, one expert even says it was possibly the advent of air conditioning in Bank Vaults. Modern air conditioning was invented in 1902 but took some years later to be utilized commercially. An interesting hypothesis. He believes the combination of humidity and sulfur bags accelerated rainbow toning.
For over 15 years, we have studied numismatic rainbow toning and specialize in the acquisition and sale of Rainbow Toned Coins. Mainly Morgan Dollars. Once you have seen enough Natural Rainbow Toned coins you will eventually be able to spot a fake from a mile away. You will immediately get a sense that something just doesn’t look right and move on. Until then, to avoid getting burned, we highly recommend buying only Rainbow toned coins that are graded by one of the top three grading companies.
We will be listing a couple of stunning rainbow toned Peace Dollars in our next auction in mid March.
We are very passionate about Rainbow Toned Coins at Certified Rare Coin Auctions and love take the opportunity to discuss this passion whenever we get the chance. Thank you for the forum.
“Add a little color to your life”
Certified Rare Coin Auctions, Inc.
Such a wonderful comment! Thank you so much for contributing. Certified Rare Coin Auctions has some of the best rainbow toned coins anywhere. I especially admire the selection you have in your current Proxibid auction. I collect PCI-slabbed Silver Eagles known for their target toning. You can see the PCGS showcase at this link: http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/Showcases.aspx?c=114