This shoutout goes to Dave Weaver of Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction, our top-ranked house, not only properly identifying California Fractional Gold but also describing its condition with a sharp photo underscoring his numismatic knowledge. Would that all auctioneers did the same on Proxibid! CLICK PHOTO BELOW TO EXPAND.
Specifically, Weaver notes:
- The correct BG number of the coin. “BG” stands for Breen and Gillio, last names of the authors of this must-have catalog of pioneer gold.
- The correct fraction of the gold: 50 cents.
- The condition and flaws: BU with uneven strike, hairlines (not grade-worthy but neat to own).
What good does that do? Could it mean that Weaver is undermining the value of the lot? Here’s what that does: It showcases Weaver’s numismatic knowledge. It builds trust. It brings return customers.
What harm does calling fake California gold do for auctioneers misidentifying them as “tokens” or “authentic”? It denigrates their numismatic knowledge. That harbors distrust. It makes buyers skeptical so they do not bid with confidence.
Some coin dealers and auctioneers have been hawking fake gold for more than a century. We’re glad to see fewer instances of this on the Proxibid portal, due in part to this Proxiblog post that has enjoyed more than 2000 views ion the past two years.
Proxiblog is an independent entity with no connection to the auction portal Proxibid. Our intent is to uphold basic numismatic standards as established by the American Numismatic Association and the National Auctioneer Association and to ensure a pleasurable bidding experience not only on Proxibid but also on similar portals such as iCollector and AuctionZip.
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