These auctioneers and their companies have supported Proxiblog in the past by providing content or funding our scholarship account. Proxiblog is provided free weekdays to thousands of viewers. Won’t you consider making a donation to the fund so that we can provide college support to the next generation of auction bidders? (Note: Click pictures to expand and view lot descriptions.)
Auctions Unlimited Big Fellas Auction Bennett Auction Capitol Coin Certified Rare Coin Auctions Coin Update Engstrom Auction Fox Valley Coins Fisher Auction
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Chris Fisher, Fisher’s Auction and Appraisal
Note: Occasionally Proxiblog will post “On the Block,” allowing auctioneers to speak their minds about selling coins online. We begin with Chris Fisher, owner of Fisher’s Auction and Appraisal in Edgewater, Florida.
I truly believe that the overwhelming percentage of buyers and sellers are good and decent people. As with any other endeavor, there is a small percentage of people who really make you think about conducting another online auction.
We have had a few issues over the years. Most are due to people not understanding the processes behind selling via an online venue such as Proxibid, and a small but seemingly increasing percentage of people who are engaging in out-and-out fraud.
I really don’t have that many issues with the coins that I sell. The reason for this is that I have a person who is very knowledgeable doing our catalogs and can describe the coins for me. It may cost a few hundred dollars per auction, but it is worth it.
One of the biggest costs involved in conducting online auctions is credit card fees. I am a little guy and it still cost me over $1000 – $2000 every month in fees just from online bidders. Unpaid merchandise usually accounts for another $300 to $1000. It might not seem like a lot of money to a lot of people but it means a lot to us.
Online bidders are very important to us. We truly appreciate every legitimate bidder that signs up for our auctions. Please note that most of these problems occur because of a very small percentage of bidders just don’t realize what is going on, not because they are intentionally trying to cause problems.
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1. Please provide us with valid contact info. If you are like me and are rarely home, please provide another contact phone number.
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2. I am a bidder at other auctioneers online auctions. I really do understand what it means to be a bidder. I understand that it is easier to keep a bidder than it is to buy a new one. I will do everything within reason to treat you right. I will attempt to ship your items in the most cost effective manner.
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3. Online bidding has a lot of variables. Just because you left a maximum pre-bid of $100 and another bidder got it does not mean that we are trying to give you the shaft. The computer may have had you at $95 and the next bid would be $100. We would not under any circumstances bump your bid to $100. You have just came in on the “Back Side of the Bidding”. There is nothing we can do about it. We are sorry but it does happen.
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4. Why do we charge 17% for online bidding? Our normal buyers fee is 10% to our house bidders. Proxibid charges us 5% for everything that is sold to online bidders. Our credit card processors charge us significantly more of a percentage when we do not swipe the credit cards and type them in manually. The extra 2% does not cover the complete cost, but it does offset it for the most part.
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5. If you use a spam blocker please add us to your safe senders list so that we can contact you via email.
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6. If you have a question about an item, please contact us before you bid. Most auctioneers love talking to potential bidders and we don’t mind answering your questions before the auction. You questions actually help us to learn more about our items and allow us to serve you better.
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7. Please do not ask us to circumvent Proxibid and let you do a phone bid on a $50 item just so you can save $3.50 in buyers fees. Also, if you ask us to call you for a phone bid, please have a realistic idea as to the value of a particular item. While it is remotely possible, it is highly unlikely that you are going to win an item with a legitimate value of $20,000 for $1,000 at a properly promoted auction. Please make realistic starting bids.
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8. We have no control over internet speed or service availability. One of the downsides to bidding online is that you the bidder must have done your homework before the auction. It is important that you have an idea of what you are willing to pay for an item. We move quickly at our auctions selling an item on the average every 30-45 seconds. If you (or us, or anywhere in between) has a slow connection, you will lose the item. It moves just as quickly in the gallery.
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9. Most auctioneers DO NOT give preference to the in house bidders. Most of us are die hard capitalists and we try to give preference to the person who is willing to pay the most for a given item. I do not care if you are in my gallery or online. Please do not call me screaming about me missing your online bid. Please refer to number 6 above.
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10. Believe it or not, our in house bidders feel as though the online bidders have an advantage over them. They feel as though they have to pay 6.5% sales tax that you do not have to pay, plus they take the time and expense to drive to the auction. We have regular bidders who will not attend an auction that we conduct online because of the unfair advantage you possess in their eyes.
Now for the things that don’t happen often, but drive us nuts.
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1. People whose credit cards are no good. We really do not like chasing our money. Proxibid only allows us a few days to report non-paying bidders. I used to just eat these bad debts, but after getting nailed by more than a few of these people I do not hesitate to report them to Proxibid. If this means that they cannot bid at another auction, I am sorry.
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2. People who do not read the terms and conditions or feel as they don’t pertain to them. When we say that we do not accept checks, we really mean it. For us the reason is that in most of our contracts with our sellers we MUST pay them within 7 days after the auction. If they mail us a check and we deposit it, it takes more than 7 days to determine if that check is good. They have just put us in breach of contract with our clients as I cannot pay them for the items that they purchased.
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3. It is getting to the point that we are considering sending out all our packages requiring adult signatures to receive them. We have had people claiming that they have not received their items when we have proof from USPS or UPS that items were delivered. We did our job in getting the package to the buyer. When they do a chargeback on their credit card, the merchant rarely wins as the credit card companies almost always side with the customer. In most cases I believe that this is out and out fraud on the part of the bidder as I am certain they do have the merchandise.
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4. People who arbitrarily do a chargeback 2-3 months down the road for no reason. No phone calls or emails, nothing. We get a notice out of the blue that the purchase is being disputed. We try to contact the customer and they will not respond. And then they keep the merchandise. Again, the credit card companies tend to side with the card holders most of the time. When I have to drive to Georgia to retrieve $4800 worth of merchandise it gives me a lot of drive time to think of what I am going to say, and I get more P.O.’d every mile I drive. By the time I get there the Marine in me really comes to the surface.
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5. Claiming that an item was broken, or fake and then sending us back a totally different item. We mark items such as glass, etc. with a hidden mark. We have a pretty good idea what we had as we handled it 15-20 times before we sent it out. This is out-and-out theft on the part of the bidder.
I’m Eddie Caven with Key Date Coin Auctions. I have a few things to say about coin auctions and hope it benefits both auctioneers and bidders.
Customer service is a top priority for auctioneers. Without customers, there would be no auctions (and hence, no service).
In response to Proxiblog, Key Date Coin Auctions lowered its buyer’s premiums to 15%. For starters, the difference between a 15% and 18% premium is not that great. As pointed out in this blog, if you attract more bidders you will see more competition. Lower buyer premiums and starting bids are ways to spark a competitive auction.
Part of that competitive atmosphere comes from auctioneers themselves. They should engage bidders onsite or online, in person or with audiovisuals, so that buyers are part of the auction experience. They should feel that sense of excitement, especially with a winning bid, knowing they came out on top. Check out Proxiblog’s “How Competitive are Your Auctions?” This is very informative.
As for consignments, I had a gentleman email me recently stating that he was considering Key Date Coin Auctions. He couldn’t find a consignment form on my website to see my charges.
I sent him the email response below.
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“Thank you for taking interest in Key Date Coin Auctions. I’m in the process of putting on a larger, higher-end coin auction in Oklahoma City. I charge between 5% and 10% for consignments. Everything depends on the items being auctioned and quality of those items. If I had more of an idea of what you wanted to auction, that would help. I don’t have to pay 20 employees like some other auction companies. I’m not out to make a killing off of other people’s items.
Coins are the only thing I deal with as I am a coin collector myself. Every consignment is different. I do a lot of consignments on a hand shake. As an example, if you had 20 proof sets, and they sold for 5 dollars each, it would usually take 48 hours for bidders’ funds to clear my bank … at which time I would send you a check. If you had $5,000 dollars worth of items that sold in 10 lots, I would charge 5% or $250.
I am easy to get along with. This is what I do to enjoy life. I could have my attorneys draw up contracts but that would make this too much like a job. … I like what I do, and if you would like me to list some of your coins, I think we can come to an agreement and a happy outcome for both parties.”
The consignor wrote back: “Those are much better rates than I was quoted at other sites. I have many coins and would like to send you a smaller low-dollar pack for a future auction, at least for the ‘first’ time. What I will do is compile a detailed list and you can determine if you even have interest in handling same.”
I received that list today. His items may be on the block in a few weeks.
This is a typical business transaction. If this were an elderly couple having to sell their collection to make ends meet, well, that’s another issue. Auctioneers can strike deals that they feel are right in their hearts.
I guess that is why I find Proxiblog’s “Honor Roll Houses” to be a good thing. Auction companies on this list have the bidder’s best interest at heart.
Most auctioneers know how the bidding process works. Bidders usually are looking for a few coins to add to their collection. Sometimes bidders are looking for items to resell. They all have one thing in mind, and that’s to get a good deal. But many bidders don’t know what it takes to get an item ready on Proxibid. We have to log that coin in to keep track of it, take pictures (not always as easy as it seems), describe the item, lot number, lot title, lot description, quality, and opening bid. And then transfer all the information to Proxibid. Once we get to this point, we still have several more hours to go.
Now consider that 15% buyer’s premium, which includes a 3% credit card fee and 5% Proxibid fee. That leaves the auction house making 7% per item sold. You do the math. That’s not too much to ask for all the work.
Then again, hosting an auction is somewhat like gambling. If we have a coin we bought for $40 and it sells for $35, that’s the chance we take: $35 + 7% =$37.45. We just spent $2.55 for bidders to enjoy the show. If the coin sold for $40 + 7%, that’s $42.80. So if that’s the case, we hope the bidder enjoyed the show and received a nice coin in return.
In closing, auctioneers and bidders alike should subscribe to Proxiblog and read about all aspects of bidding, buying, selling, auctioning. Thank you, Proxiblog, for sharing your knowledge and advice!
Dave Nauert, Silvertowne Auctions
Note: Occasionally Proxiblog will post “On the Block,” allowing auctioneers to speak their minds about selling coins online. In this installment we feature Dave Nauert of Silvertowne Auctions, one of the highest ranked sellers of coins on this site (see our rankings to the right), giving numismatic advice to buyers, sellers and Proxibid auctioneers.
Buying coins in online auctions can be fun and exciting. A wide variety of coins usually is offered and often coins can be purchased for less than at other venues. There are, however, a few things to watch out for if you are a bidder or an auctioneer.
Make sure the auction company has expertise in the merchandise it is selling. Many auctioneers will sell anything that comes through the door without having any knowledge of the product. This may be okay when buyers have the ability to physically inspect the items in person, but it puts buyers at a disadvantage on the Internet. The value of coins is so closely tied to the condition of the item that buyers must be able to trust grades given by the auctioneer, and also have good pictures to determine the grade. Without knowledgeable people, many auctioneers simply can’t supply this information and often will just rely on the consignor’s grades or not grade coins at all. Several auctioneers also can’t authenticate coins or detect cleaned, repaired, or doctored coins. Our coin experts at Silvertowne have been involved in the coin business for over 40 years. We look at and grade all of the uncertified coins ourselves. Problems are noted so that buyers can bid appropriately.
Auctioneers and buyers also should be aware of unreliable grading services. I recently saw a coin in an MS-66 holder that was probably an MS-60 before someone started polishing it. (Note: This is called a “self-slabbed” coin, an unethical practice by unscrupulous sellers posing as grading companies–click here for more information about that.) By the time the “self-slabber” was done the coin it looked more like an AU-58. And then he consigned it.
The difference in value between AU-58 and MS-66 is almost $8000. The person that bought the coin in an online auction thought he got a great deal. He didn’t.
An auction company should describe self-slabbed and other coins accurately. NGC, PCGS, ICG, and ANACS are all fairly reliable grading services. At Silvertowne, when we auction coins in other holders, we always provide our opinion of the actual grade of the coin. (Note: Proxiblog advises auctioneers unfamiliar with coins to hire a local expert to write the descriptions, as Chris Fisher of Fisher’s Auctions and Appraisals does and explains in this post.)
Buying, selling and auctioning coins can be fun. And remember, don’t be afraid to ask an auction company any questions you have about the coins in its auction. Most will be happy to help you out.
Charles Commander, Midwest Coins
Midwest Coins
Midwest Coins is conducting a Labor Day auction at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. Check out the catalog by clicking here.
Midwest Coins is one of Proxibid’s long-running online coin auctions, and Proxiblog has purchased and sold through owner Charles Commander for several years, attesting to the company’s four partner badges for shipping, low complaint rate and, of course, APN clearance. More important, the company recently was awarded the Strategic Partnership Gold Ribbon, qualifying the auction house for top-level service and options not found in other venues.
Midwest Coins, located in Keokuk and Fort Madison, Iowa, specializes in auctioning, buying and selling gold and silver jewelry; U.S., World and Ancient coins; all manner of firearms, pocket watches and other personal, corporate or estate valuables, offering top dollar because of its direct relationship with national refineries (which optimizes top-dollar returns).
For those wishing to consign, Midwest Coins specializes in regular auctions advertised by email, online and traditional outlets such as Coin World. Midwest Coins also specializes in marketing. Better still, there is no minimum consignment with 0% fees for coins and guns fetching more than $1000, with only 5% under $1000 and 7.5% under $500. Sellers are always assured premium treatment.
Midwest Coins’ online auctions typically sell through their consignments, but if an item fails to sell, the company relists it in a future auction. And if it fails to sell then, Midwest Coins will return your values at no cost to you.
For more information about Midwest Coins, call (319) 795-2148 or (319) 520-5091 or email Charles Commander at Charles@Midwestcoins.net
We thank Charles Commander and Midwest Coins for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Jeremy Jager, Big Fellas Auction
How easy or difficult it is for an auctioneer to make the transition to Proxibid, especially when things go horribly wrong smack dab during an inaugural auction? You’ve heard us tout the quality of Proxibid Customer Service before. Jeremy Jager of Big Fellows Auction shares his first portal experience, putting our prior endorsements to the test.
The Proxibid staff gives you as much help as you need. They make certain you are prepared for the event. Every step of the way–every question I had–those staffers were right there to answer for me. That meant a lot because, honestly, I was a little bit nervous about the whole online auction experience.
What if something were to go wrong?
I had bid on Proxibid before–many times, as a matter of fact; but here I was starting a brand new auction company run by a guy with modest computer skills. Perhaps you can understand how I might be apprehensive.
Here’s the deal for those thinking about becoming a Proxibid auctioneer: If I can do it then pretty much any one can.
For those contemplating selling coins on Proxibid, my advice would be to set aside time each day to practice the company’s auctioneer software. Also, check out other people’s auctions and their portal sites. In fact, I gained a lot knowledge from analyzing their sites, from photography to lot descriptions, and even talking to some of the other auctioneers. I was very surprised to find that everyone I had talked to was very friendly and helpful.
Also, you should expect the unexpected. Right at the end of my first auction a construction crew accidentally took out the internet line, and my auction went down. I did not know what to do! But I did know that Proxibid promised its team would be there to help if anything like this should happen; but let’s face it, we have all heard promises before that were less then truthful.
Within five minutes Proxibid support was on the phone with me. Customer service had one of their own people run the auction for me, and I called the bids over the phone. I can’t tell you how grateful I was to the young man who called and helped me get back up to finish my auction. Even most of the bidders stayed with the auction right through the end!
I have to say from start to finish this was by far one of the best auction experiences I have ever had. The Proxibid sales team and Customer Service, the registered bidders, and cooperative auctioneers are the best group of people to work with anywhere. I am grateful that Proxibid stuck with me and my auction, especially when things got difficult.
That’s the real test, and I give Proxibid an A+ for all it did.
Weaver Signature Coin and Currency Auction
Editor’s Note: Dave and Cheryl Weaver of Weaver’s Signature Coin & Currency Auctions are among the most progressive and entrepreneurial online coin auctioneers, excelling in photography, online advertising, consignments and customer service. We’re proud to share their “On the Block” about their attempts to deal professionally and courteously with Proxibidders.
By Dave and Cheryl Weaver
“White Hat” customers are the cream of the crop-both buyers and sellers. We can always count on their payment method to function properly. This customer communicates clearly. This customer remembers to let us know if emails or phone numbers change. This customer also provides feedback–both satisfaction with the sale or purchase and sometimes suggestions for improvement. As a seller this customer respects our experience and works with us to offer quality items in a fairly graded manner.
“Gray Hat” customers are generally those customers who are time-consuming. We have to call for a new credit card or call to have money added to a debit card. We accept PayPal payments as a courtesy but we don’t want to wait 5 days for payment. Be advised: When we are boxing & shipping, your order will wait until last when we’re busy trying to contact you.
“Black Hat” customers are fortunately rare for us. Thank goodness! These customers bid generally live online with apparently no intention of ever paying. The credit cards are denied as insufficient funds. (Once again it’s too bad you can register with a debit card without a minimum limit of funds available.) The phone number is no good and of course emails go unanswered. A “Non-Paying Bidder Report” is filed immediately with Proxibid. This generally results in this person being black-listed from Proxibid auctions, which is better for all of us. Insufficient fund checks are given a 10-day notice before being turned over to our County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. All “Black Hats” and a few “Gray Hats” are added to our Proxibid permanently denied customer list.
Proxibid strives to provide us with safeguards to prevent “bad guys” from bidding on our auctions but it still pays to monitor bidders automatically accepted for our auctions. We have one bidder that we have permanently denied THREE times! Changing the spelling of his name and other personal information got him through the system.
We strive to maintain strong, honest customer relationships. No set of terms or rules can define every issue. We deal with issues as they rise in what we hope is the most fair manner and say THANK YOU when we can finish an entire auction start to finish with no glitches!
GreatCollections
Coin Auctions & Rare Coin Sales
View GreatCollections Coin Auctions
GreatCollections offers collectors an extensive selection of certified coins ranging in price from $25 up to $10,000s. All coins have been professionally listed and imaged by GreatCollections expert staff and most are certified by the leading third-party grading companies including PCGS and NGC. Since GreatCollections has possession of all items being offered for sale, GreatCollections will ship your auction winnings and purchases to you securely and promptly. Sellers consign to GreatCollections to take advantage of our low commission rates, which work out in most cases to be cheaper than if they did all the work themselves.
Bennett Auction Service has come on the Proxibid coin auction scene adopting many of the best practices by our top houses, with flat rate shipping of $7.87 plus insurance, good photography, APN clearance and one of the lowest online buyer’s fees of 9.5%
Good news today concerning an auction house appealing to the online coin buying audience. Bennett Auction Service has a philosophy based on “a balance of making a living and staying competitive,” says auctioneer-broker Adam Kielsmeier of the Prentice, WI, house.
“Shipping rates are influenced by both item fragility and size vs. value, he says. “Shippers love coins and hate chandeliers. We use APN for the same reason we use Proxibid; they are a stable and professional company that offers a well-developed service while focusing on integrity and excellence.”
Adam notes that he and his spouse “started out years ago in the live auction arena, and simply imposed our personal convictions on our newly created auction business: be honest, do quality work, be thoughtful in decisions. We also believe it is essential both to serve our seller in a proper client-agent relationship and to be fair and transparent with our buyers.”
Part of that proper client-agent relationship is not viewing maximum bids online or allowing consignors to bid on their lots. Bennett Auction Service falls in line once again with our recommended best practices.
Kielsmeier’s company focuses on “proper marketing, accurate representation, and fair terms for whatever we may be trusted to sell.” While he hasn’t specialized in coins, he is rethinking that market.
We hope he does because these values are ones we have promoted in all our top houses.
Western Auction
Welcome to Western Auctioneer!
Western Auction has been in operation since 1983 and is fully licensed and bonded.
We conduct consignment and estate auctions twice a week–each Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at our own facility. And we specialize in coins on the Proxibid portal.
Since the inception of Proxiblog in May 2011, Western Auction has been ranked among the top houses selling coins on Proxibid. We have one of the lowest buyer’s fees on the portal, including best photography and numismatic consignments. We ship inexpensively and swiftly. We have APN clearance to make your bidding experience as secure as possible. Moreover, we do not see maximum bids or allow consignors to bid up lots. We stand for honesty and integrity. Those are our family’s core business values.
Our family of auctioneers includes principal auctioneer David Zwonitzer, his father Mel Zwonitzer, Dave’s sons Daniel and Ty and Dave’s wife Kym. Together the family has over 80 years of combined experience.
We invite you to visit our house online or in person and to check out our auctions listed on the Proxibid “Coins and Currency” page.
Leonard Auction
Leonard Auction, located in Addison, Ill., is a premiere Chicago auction house and estate liquidation firm that has won multiple awards on Proxiblog in such categories as photography, lot descriptions, consignments and overall best house. Leonard Auction also has detailed consignment policies that secure some of the best coin lots on the Proxibid portal. The company not only knows numismatics but also protects buyers, as this post illustrates, noting the Leonard policy on coin authenticity and emphasizing why Leonard Auction ranks among the most trusted on Proxibid.
Leonard Auction has a reputation for experience, integrity, and superior technology–core values of founder and appraiser John Leonard–that propelled his house to the top echelon of auctioneering. The company’s first auction house in Naperville, Ill., opened in 2006. Business boomed, prompting the company a year later to relocate to its current site in Addison, Ill., featuring more than 8,000 square feet for ample display.
Leonard Auction’s onsite prowess combines with digital savvy to bring the excitement of an auction to coin buyers on Proxibid. The company conducts a series of auctions each month, generally on the third weekend. Its Friday night Coin & Currency auction features 300-400 lots of high-end collectible coins, currency, gold, silver, platinum and stamps.
We thank Leonard Auction for contributing to Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
Krause Auctioneering
K & K Auction Service, doing business as Krause Auctioneering, is a full-service auction company specializing in online interactive auctions hosted on Proxibid. Ronald L. Krause’s company also has been at the forefront of best practices as reported by Proxiblog, currently in our top 10 best houses, with sharp photography and accurate lot descriptions. Krause Auctioneering is especially responsive to customer questions, with low buyer’s fees and quick, inexpensive shipping.
Krause Auctioneering is technologically savvy, using Proxibid audio-visuals to provide an onsite experience for Internet bidders. The full-service Rochester, Minn., company handles estates and collections and offers these convenient options:
- Onsite and Virtual Auctions, generating competition in the auctioneer tradition and selling through consignments on a regular basis because of that competition.
- Timed Online Auctions, displaying consignments worldwide through cutting-edge visual photography and accurate lot descriptions.
- Onsite Estate and Business Liquidation Auctions, drawing bidders from local and area neighborhoods and generating additional interest from online bidders experiencing the action via Proxibid technology.
Krause Auctioneering excels in customer service, especially important for benefit and fund-raising auctions. Consignors always get a free consultation, and packing and pickup services also are available.
Contact Ron Krause today at ron@krauseauctioneering.com for more information and personalized service!
We thank Krause Auctioneering for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
James Peterson Auction Company
James Peterson Company is one of the most experienced onsite and online houses in the upper Midwest, featuring regular sales every 4-5 weeks on a variety of high-end collectibles, including coins. Auctioneer Jim Peterson has more than 41 years experience and attracts some of the best coin consignments on the Proxibid portal. Last year one of his precious metal lots was featured in Coin World. You can read about Peterson’s prowess in attracting top-level coins by clicking here.
James Peterson Company is a full-service house that can arrange to sort, clean, and pick up items to bring to his onsite auction house for sale. All consignments are done via contract to protect the seller. Potential consignors who contact the house with a list of items to sell are given quick, no-obligation appraisals. Moreover, the company takes care of all promotion, including email blasts, online advertising, direct mailers and local newspaper advertising.
Consignors can sell one or hundreds of items, with sales settled in 20 working days. James Peterson Company is especially expert in all manner of collectible glass and china; dolls and furniture; men’s and women’s jewelry and timepieces; and, of course, rare coins, tokens, bullion and other numismatic items.
For more information, or to contact the company, click here.
We thank James Peterson Company for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
Scott Auctions
a leading auction company located in Stephens City, Va.,, has been top-ranked on Proxiblog since our site’s inception. Owner Scott Strosnider was among the first Proxibid auctioneers to take advantage of US flat rate shipping, sending winning lots inexpensively, quickly and safely for little more than $10.
Like so many of our top houses, Scott Auction is a multigenerational family business. Scott’s Father, auctioneer Leon W. Strosnider, has been calling auctions for over 42 years. Scott has been beside him all the time since childhood, running clerk sheets and then becoming leading “ringman.”
SCOTT AUCTIONS specializes in:
- Coin & Collectibles
- Farm Auctions of any size
- Large Annual Fairgrounds Consignment Auctions
- Real Estate Auctions & conventional brokage service
- Private Buying of Real Estate & Personal
Scott Strosnider is known in the auctioneering business as one of the most generous sharers of best practices, especially on Internet. Proxiblog knows at least a half dozen coin auctioneers who have consulted with him on best practices. He is known for traveling across the country as a PRI Certified Independent Ringman, working auctions for newcomers to the business needing hands-on training in the competitive auctioneering tradition.
Proxibid coin buyers should check out his online only and onsite/Internet auctions with no reserves and high quality lots. For those wishing to secure his services, for auctions or consultations, contact Scott Strosnider @ SCOTT AUCTIONS (540)877-7182.
We thank Scott Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
Coin Update
If you are an auctioneer calling coin sessions, or a collector who has registered on Proxibid, you will want to check out Coin Update.
The site shares a wealth of information about the hobby by top numismatic writers. Better yet, it is free, Internet-based (like Proxibid) and provides yet another venue for you to reach an online viewership that purchases coins.
When you read a newsstand coin magazine, you are fire-walled by paper. When you visit Coin Update, you become part of a vast assortment of dedicated coin sites, hobbyist blogs and even mainstream media.
Better still, you will become more familiar with your consignments. Our updates inform you about news alerts such as counterfeit coins or the latest bullion prices and trends for gold, silver, platinum or palladium.
You’ll better understand your online clientele—their likes, dislikes, and desires—because our news coverage is aimed at the collector and Internet coin buyer.
Several Proxibid coin auctions each week list hundreds of lots of by the U.S. and world mints. You’ll learn more about your consignments because our writers focus on coin grading, classic coin series, and modern coin products.
Finally, you can interact with us through free online subscriptions, social media and comments, which we welcome. For a free subscription by email or RSS, please visit this URL: http://coinupdate.com/subscribe-to-coin-update.
We thank Coin Update for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
Engstrom Auction
Engstrom Auction is one of the most innovative houses on Proxibid. The company solicits customer feedback, features accurate lot descriptions and provides some of the best numismatic photography on the portal. Engstrom Auction, committed to continuous improvement, always showcases something new and exciting in its Proxibid sessions.
Engstrom Auction aspires to give customers “the best experiences possible when utilizing our services.”
Some of the company’s recent changes include:
- Processing of credit cards within 24 hours after an auction and shipping the next day, a wonderful courtesy to bidders eager to inspect their winning lots.
- A commitment to ever sharper and expandable photographs, so that bidders can have a good idea about condition, luster and variety.
- Use of streaming video to convey the excitement of an auction to online bidders, with customers asked for feedback on the best camera angles to view lots.
These are just a few of the innovations that Engstrom is making, and we’re bound to see more. This is a chief reason why Engstrom Auctions has consistently been a top-rated house on Proxiblog, currently 4th in a very competitive field of auctioneers who also are numismatists.
You can see how helpful Engstrom Auction is to bidders and sellers alike by viewing articles on its home page. This article shares tips on buying at an auction. This article shares tips on selling at an auction.
For more information, visit Engstrom Auctions online or view this page for contact data.
We thank Engstrom Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders!
Click Coins
The Start Page for Coin Collectors
Click Coins is one of the most convenient sites on the Web for coin enthusiasts and auctioneers eager to learn the latest about the industry. The site contains dozens of links to articles, photos and multimedia by Coin Update News, Mint News, Coin Week, Numismatic News, Coin World, World Mint News, Perth Mint, Royal Mint, Stacks and Bowers–and even Proxiblog!
Although the Internet has plenty of coin-related sites and blogs, Click Coins lists the articles and posts you need in one cleanly designed package. Why not make Click Coins your business or personal home page so that you can tap into the best posts from the top sources from smart phone, iPad, laptop or desktop?
Your numismatic knowledge base is just one click away.
Auctioneers, publications and dealers are invited to sponsor a week of Proxiblog posts. Simply send a jpeg of your company and a 100-word description about your business. We’ll post sponsorships on Friday on our home page. On Sunday evening, the post will transfer to our “On the Block” page, remaining in our Proxiblog queue. This way your promotion will remain on Google and other search engines as long as our site remains online. We do not charge for such promotion and have the right to decline and/or edit submissions. However, after your promotional sponsorship runs, we ask that you visit our scholarship fund account and make a tax-deductible donation to ease student debt. Send your promotional submissions to mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Auctions Unlimited!
(Check out Auction Unlimited’s next coin auction Saturday, May 26, at 5 p.m. central)
Auctions Unlimited of Shreveport, LA, is a full-time family-owned operation with complete auctioneering services. Proxiblog has praised Auctions Unlimited as a trusted site with a low Internet buyer’s fee, regular coin consignments and good lot descriptions. While Debra Johnson, auctioneer, acknowledges that she is not highly experienced in the coin world, she does have excellent consignors that guarantee all of their coins and accepts returns on any coin that is not as described. In addition, Debra provides super fast shipping. Normally the coins are packed up on the Monday following the Saturday night auction and shipped out on Tuesday.
Debra is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School and has advanced this innovative house on the values of honest, reputable service. Debra is avid about continuing education in the auctioneering business and so has made a successful transition to the Internet, respecting both onsite and online bidders. She works hard for her consignors but also ensures that the consignments are top-quality, especially when it comes to coins. She relies on return bidders and so does her best to make each session fun and exciting.
A key to the success of Auctions Unlimited not only includes values and business savvy, but also the manner in which Debra and her staff treat clients and customers. She believes in interpersonal communication, which includes willingness to meet with potential consignors in person or talk with them on the phone. Debra also uses her communication skills to advertise auctions via local and digital platforms.
Debra’s staff not only works hard for clients and bidders but also takes pride in photography. Visit her photo gallery for samples or drop her an email at ladyauctioneer@comcast.net.
We thank Debra Johnson and Auctions Unlimited for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
(Check out Matthew Bullock’s next auction on Proxibid, scheduled to end Monday, June 4 central time. )
Matthew Bullock Auctioneers, specializes in high-quality coins, especially Morgan dollars, with some of the finest digital photography on Proxibid. Lot descriptions are based on numismatic knowledge, and owner Matthew Bullock and staff provide outstanding customer service, to bidder and consignor alike. In addition to coins, the auction house often lists in quarterly Proxibid sessions a broad range of items, including fine jewelry, firearms, vintage postcards and photographs, advertising memorabilia, and military collectibles. Auctioneer Matthew Bullock is a second generation antique dealer with over 15 years’ experience buying selling and appraising antiques. He opened his first antique shop in Sandwich, Ill., at age of 23. He has owned and operated Main Street Antiques in Ottawa, IL since 2006. Matthew is a member of the Illinois Auctioneers Association and National Auctioneer Association.
One of Matthew Bullock’s specialties is the amount of pre-auction advertising done before the first bid is called. His company has a marketing department that vigorously promotes auctions utilizing direct mail, emails, internet websites, collector clubs and illustrated ads in antique and other publications and venues. Because of that, Matthew Bullock Auctioneers often attracts some of the best coin consignments on the portal. Many are located at estate auctions rather than through coin dealer consignments, ensuring quality coin lots. Better still, the company’s shipping department mails winning lots inexpensively and quickly. If you are interested in learning more about Matthew Bullock Auctions, please contact the company by clicking here.
We thank Matthew Bullock Auctioneers for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Kaufman Realty and Auctions
Check out Kaufman’s upcoming coin auction slated Tuesday, July 3, on Proxibid.
Kaufman Auction, located in Sugarcreek, Ohio, has a reputation for superior service and numismatic knowledge. We applaud the company’s values, which include commitment to consignors and bidders, innovation within the industry, and above all, integrity in all transactions. Its mission statement promises exceptional service guided by and grounded in these traditional values.
Proxiblog regularly attends Kaufman’s coin auctions because of the quality of consignments, the low buyer’s fee, and numismatic integrity. The company was founded in 1971 and has grown to become a major auction and realty house in the competitive Ohio market and Midwest, with extended reach nationally and internationally via the Proxibid portal. This record of growth and achievement is due to the trust that consignors place in Kaufman Auctions, which conducts upward of 275 to 300 auctions across categories, from real estate to coins, each year.
Click this link to meet and contact the staff of this premiere auction house known for superior customer service.
We thank Dave Kaufman and Kaufman Reality and Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Capitol Coin Auction
Check out Capitol Coin Auction’s upcoming coin auction slated Sunday, July 29, on Proxibid.
Capitol Auctions, located in Evansville, Indiana, specializes in coin auctions. The company has more than 35 years’ experience in collecting, investing, and grading rare coins. Moreover, Capitol has numismatic quality photographs and accurate lot descriptions so that seller and bidder are informed transparently about value. Because Capitol relies in part on estate consignments, each Proxibid auction is an event, with top-quality silver and gold coins open for bidding.
Proxiblog has won lots from Capitol for the past two years, and its service is quick and professional. Nonetheless, bidding is always keen because of the desirability of the lots as well as the legwork that the company does for consignors, ensuring an audience and adding to the excitement online or onsite.
In addition to sharp photos and concise lot descriptions, Capitol publishes a catalog showcasing coins and informs bidders via an extensive mailing list. For large consignments, Capitol advertises in national periodicals like Coin World and Numismatic News.
Finally, Capitol Auctions is committed to providing a safe auction experience for buyers and sellers. It has a comprehensive privacy policy and its employees are trained to honor safeguard measures and the importance of confidentiality of personal information.
We thank Capitol Coin Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
GWS AUCTIONS
GWS Auctions, one of Proxiblog’s Honor Roll houses, specializes in part in coin consignments, especially Morgan Silver Dollars, Peace Dollars and all 90% silver and gold US coins. Auctioneer and owner Brigitte Kruse is especially proud of her company’s coin auctions on Proxibid. She consider herself and employees as “coin rescuers” who do not want U.S. and World history and art–coins embody both–melted and lost to future generations.
We are incredibly impressed with her respect for collectors and investors. Brigitte, in fact, is a numismatist as well as auctioneer and takes pride in her company’s lot descriptions.
GWS Auctions, located in Palm Desert, California, has gone worldwide on Proxibid and Internet about its reputation for honesty and integrity. The key to her success is respect for consignor and bidder.
See for yourself! Why not view or bid in GWS’s next auction, scheduled Saturday, June 16, at noon Pacific.
We thank Brigitte Kruse and GWS Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Jewelry Exchange and Auction
Jewelry Exchange is conducting an auction featuring coins on Saturday, Aug. 18. Check out the catalog by clicking here.
Jewelry Exchange, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a clearinghouse for all valuables, especially coins, currency, stamps, sterling, and jewelry, along with other auction items, such as antiques and firearms. The company trades gold, silver and platinum bullion in all forms and specializes in estate diamonds of all cuts, carats and clarity.
The company’s Saturday evening auctions are held in its Stone Oak gallery with an international simulcast over Proxibid.com. Proxiblog has been a long-time customer of Jewelry Exchange and can attest to the company’s quick shipping, 15% buyer’s fee and customer service.
Jewelry Exchange is a member of the Better Business Bureau, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and the American Numismatic Association.
Auctioneers Adam and David Bluestein also are co-hosts of “In the Money,” a hit radio program that answers such questions as “What is it? What’s it worth? And, what do I DO with it?” Adam and David take questions on the air, too, every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. on San Antonio’s KLUP 930AM.
For more information about Jewelry Exchange, call (210) 592-8786 or email info@jewelryexchangeandauction.com
We thank Adam and David Bluestein and Jewelry Exchange for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Rolling M Auctions
Welcome to Rolling M. Auctions!
Proxiblog has been patronizing Rolling M Auctions for the past two years because of head auctioneer Mark Murphy’s numismatic knowledge, customer service and great consignments. The company advertises each onsite and online auction with email blasts, Internet marketing, online classified notices and print catalogs sent to bidders across the country. Rolling M Auctions specializes in making onsite and online sessions exciting, fostering competitive bidding for sellers and cherry-picked bargains for bidders.
Rolling M Auctions also provides professional ringman services with experience in bid spotting as well as working as the extension between auctioneer and bidding crowd. The company also has expert appraisal services.
Mark Murphy is always looking for choice consignments. Here are his contact data:
Phone: 937.459.2530
Email: mark@rollingMauctions.com
Web: http://www.rollingMauctions.com
ROLLING M AUCTIONS
PO Box 145
New Paris, OH 45347
Why not call today … or check out his latest Proxibid auction by clicking here.
Proxiblog thanks Mark Murphy and Rolling M Auctions for sponsoring this week’s Proxiblog and for donating to our scholarship fund. If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog with a small or large donation–from $25 and up–than contact Michael Bugeja at mjbugeja@yahoo.com.
Meares Auction Group
Meares Auction Group is conducting a Boy Scouts benefit auction at 8 p.m. Eastern, Saturday, Nov. 3. Check out the catalog by clicking here.
Meares Auction Group is one of the original Proxibid companies, operated by Darron and David Meares, second generation auctioneers from Pelzer, S.C.. Darron is the current Vice President of the South Carolina Auctioneers Association and also is the founder of Meares and Associates, LLC, an appraisal and public speaking firm located in Upstate South Carolina.
Darron Meares and his company welcome coin consignments for their regular Proxibid auctions. Recently he lowered buyer’s premiums to 5%, showing his leadership in serving both consignor and buyer in spurring competition for top-bids and online auction excitement. See this post about his latest industry innovation.
Meares Auction Groups specializes in a variety of services, including personal property auctions. While they consider all of the items in home, business or storage, they serve Proxiblog clients primarily with coins and collectibles.
Photography and lot descriptions are of high quality and accuracy. Shipping is quick and secure.
For consignors looking for a top Proxiblog house, consider these services by Meares Auction Group:
- Computerized clerking and cashier systems to automate the auction process
- State of the art sound systems for auction day
- Complete turn-key operation of your auction with a highly trained member of our staff assigned to your job
- Licensed auction professionals that care
- The option of live, real-time online auctions to serve more customers in more places
- The option of timed, eBay-style, auctions run from our partner company in Omaha, Nebraska
If you’re interested in consigning, or just knowing more about this nationally known auction house, click here.
We thank Darron Meares and Meares Auction Group for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! If you would like to sponsor a week’s worth of Proxiblog, email mjbugeja@yahoo.com
Certified Rare Coin Auctions
Specializing in stunningly rainbowed coins with the world-class eye appeal
Specializing in stunningly rainbowed coins with the world-class eye appeal
Certified Rare Coin Auctions has one of the strongest numismatic ethics in the business, creating a brand known for trust, integrity and expertise. While other Proxibid auctioneers struggle with shipping, using third-party companies or ridiculous formulas, Auctioneer Shane Jennings ships his coins for free. But that is only one aspect of Certified Rare Coin Auctions’ exemplary service.
Certified Rare Coin Auctions has a select inventory of some of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the U.S. Mint, especially Morgans, with so-called “monster toning.” Of all metals used in coinage, silver is the most reactive to environment, especially when mixed with 10% copper, the common alloy in most American coinage. Advanced collectors especially pay high premiums for monster toning because it tells the journey of the metal–where it was mined (i.e. Comstock Lode discovered in 1859), where it was minted (Philadelphia, San Francisco, Carson City, New Orleans, etc.), where it traveled (provenance: history of ownership). Then there is the natural beauty of decades or centuries of toning with spectacular colors that blend seamlessly from one hue to another or form unique snowflake patterns that qualify as metallurgic art. When combined with a high grade, coins like the one below–offered in a recent Certified auction–gain in value far beyond normal premiums, validating each masterpiece as an investment in beauty. Certified Rare Coin Auctions features some of the finest numismatic photography on the portal. You not only get a sharp photo of the slabbed obverse and reverse of the coin, but also expanded views so that condition and tone can be verified. Proxiblog has purchased coins from Certified Rare Coin Auctions and can attest to the company’s promise of service. This beauty was purchased with a bid of $229 and resides now in a bank box: As its name suggests, Certified Rare Coin Auctions offers coins from the top holdering companies (PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG). We encourage you to bid in Certified Rare Coin Auctions through Proxibid. You will never find a hidden reserve. You’ll benefit by reading the company’s lot descriptions. The company has a low buyer’s premium of 15% and a generous 5% cash discount for invoices totalling $3,500 or more. For more information, contact the company by clicking here. We thank Shane Jennings and Certified Rare Coin Auctions for sponsoring Proxiblog’s scholarship fund to help ease student debt and create the next generation of auction-house bidders! 
Fox Valley Coins, one of the premier outlets in the country for rare coins, antiques and collectibles, will be sponsoring Proxiblog this week and other weeks in the year, thanks to a generous donation to our scholarship fund.
We are proud to have secured the patronage of this top-selling house whose owner, Marlon Mathre, understands our Midwest Iowan culture of honesty, integrity and numismatic knowledge, as Marlon grew up on a farm and opened his first coin shop fresh out of high school. (His family thought he was going to be a CORN dealer, not a coin dealer.) We get that in the Heartland. We also appreciate Marlon’s work ethic and exemplary staff. You can read about Marlon and his shops in three Illinois locations by clicking here. Whenever Fox Valley Coin schedules a Proxibid auction, we get excited, because we often find top consignments that cross over to PCGS and please our own clients. See for yourself! Click here to view the company’s Saturday, Sept. 14, Proxibid catalog. Fox Valley Coins pays top dollar prices – especially for rare coins and currencies. If you have a consignment, you might want to tell Marlon about it by visiting this page, which shares contact data for his stores and offers an online contact form for your convenience. We thank Marlon Mathre and his companies for underwriting our scholarship fund. We provide Proxiblog for free, sharing news about Proxibid and best practices for auctioneers and bidders. Recently, our viewership tallied more than 40,000 page views on the day that we filed our 500th post!
Proxiblog's Top Online Coin Auctions 