youtube video about coin grab bags

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

The youtube channel Classical Numismatics featured a video about a $40 ebay grab bag, with the unsurprising conclusion that it wasn't worth it.

I have purchased very satisfactory grab bags in the past, but they were from regular coin dealers.  The c. 2000 $1.50 asses/dupondii and correspondingly sized provincials, as well as smaller trachea were pretty good values.  Very few had active BD, but they may or may not have contributed to the outbreak I had at the time, although I stored the bagged coins separately.  The majority of one bag was misplaced in a move, but I examined the provincials and the 'highlight' asses and they were okay. They're not world-beater coins, but pretty nice for $1.50.

I also bought a decent amount of grab bags from Dr. Fishman, c. 2006-2009, and they were mostly great!  For those who might remember ancient coins.ca, he had various bulk selections that one could choose.  The uncleaned Nezak Hun drachms were pretty nice. The $5 LRB's werent' bad at all. The $6 'uncleaned' 'premium Middle Eastern' ones weren't really uncleaned, but the one I remember was a pretty nice Constantius II AE 4.  I think the Tetrarchic era Nummi were $25, IIRC, and they were the bee's knees, the best of the bunch.  Every one that I remember was VF. 

I haven't done too many grab bags since.  I sampled most of dirtyoldcoins' categories in 2022, with most of the coins being commensurate quality to what one would expect for a $3-4 price tag, and although filthy, they definitely weren't uncleaned.  The $7-12 ones generally weren't bad.

Let us also not forget Allen Berman's 4 for $20 Byzantine junk box lot.  I don't know if he still has something similar. He did as late as 2009.  They certainly weren't terrible for the price, and the 1990's ones were even better.  I remember the wait was fairly long, but I have a lot of fond memories of the various lots.

Do you have any experiences with grab bags?  I wouldn't go into them expecting something great.  However, sometimes one is pleasantly surprised. I would personally avoid ebay ones.

I wonder what coin show dealer had the $5 pick bin (in the video)?  They looked pretty nice, for the price.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I would further caution anyone against buying grab bags for anything else but the 'fun' factor.  Unless one knows the dealer, there's a pretty decent chance that most of them won't be worth it.

I searched youtube for 'ancient coin grab bags' and watched a few of the ones first on the list.  Wow, most of them were even worse than the $40 grab bag.

[JayAg47]

I don't buy ebay grab bags, or 'unsearched' lots, I can guarantee they're always worthless pieces of scrap or lots where coins of value have been picked clean. But, I do look for misattributed lots or lots from small sellers who also sell other items and not solely deal with coins for a business, this is where you find gems! 

Edited September 18, 2023 by JayAg47

[ela126]

i would guess grab bags are only worth it for those collectors just starting out.,where a variety of anything, in low grades, would be of interest, as i'm sure the dealer has carefully selected non-valuable items. Anything of even moderate value would be reserved for pick bowls.

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Save for the Berman ones, I guess my successful ones were bulk lots or upscale pick bins, rather than a 'grab' bag.

Yes, I would never go into it expecting something valuable or rare. 

 

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

The Anastasius in this lot appears to have BD.  Even the worst Allen Berman 4 for 20 follis was better than that.  The folks in the comment section seemed to know who the dealer is, but I don't.

Yeah, I'll be a no go on grab bags after watching the videos.   Mine were from dealers whom I knew or coins I could 'grab' in person from a pick bin.

The not super expensive grab bags could be useful for getting kids interested in the hobby.  For example, one involved a decent amount of coins, which looked to be worn but BD free, with decent surfaces, for 3 pounds each.  They were Greek coins, I believe.  The young man was very excited about the lot.

I wish I could return to the $25 tetrarchal nummus well.  Those were nice.  I never did look up the particular types (I didn't have any reference, other than Van Meter, for that period), but while I'm sure they're not rare or valuable, they were quite nice for the price.