Whether you collect coins, stamps, antiques, or old cars the excitement in the auction room cannot be duplicated. Today in addition to collectors attending a sale in person or bidding through an agent, there are those calling on the phone and using the miracle of the Internet. By way of Stack’s Bowers audio/visual feed, the stage increases to include thousands of participants all over the world.
While the drama is not always at a high pitch, from time to time the fever in the room is ignited by participants competing to acquire rare prizes for their collections. Although I have been a coin auctioneer for over 60 years, there is still no end to the excitement I feel when I take part in a live coin auction. Even when I am not the auctioneer at the podium, it is a great pleasure to just be a part of such an event.
For those of you who have never attended a sale in person, I highly recommend the experience, even if you only watch. The rarer the item being sold, the higher the quality being offered, the more distinguished the pedigree of the prior owners — all this adds to the thrill and drama. And if you do choose to bid, that is an added challenge, which offers the possible elation of winning your desired prize.
I have never grown tired of the experience, and I thank all the buyers and sellers over the years who have made it possible for me to enjoy this wonderful career and marvelous hobby.
