Provenance

[Mynki]

How important is it from an investment point of view?

Is a coin auctioned by a reputable auction house sold from a known collection more desirable? Your thoughts please...

[azda]

Normally yes, but those coins will also command a premium.

[Peckris]

How important is it from an investment point of view?

Is a coin auctioned by a reputable auction house sold from a known collection more desirable? Your thoughts please...

Yes, Dave's right - you will have to pay more. So investment potential? Hmm, not sure. But collectability and then saleability .. definitely.

[TomGoodheart]

How important is it from an investment point of view?

Is a coin auctioned by a reputable auction house sold from a known collection more desirable? Your thoughts please...

Investment? No idea.

From a known collection more desirable? To me, yes. I enjoy the fact that I have coins with tickets from know collectors and collections. That have been illustrated in articles or auction sales catalogues.

However I know of a few provenanced coins that haven't sold. So my impression is that, for most collectors, condition is still the most important factor. Coins in poorer condition, even if rare and with provenance, don't seem to be attractive to the majority of today's collectors. Which I don't think was the case 10 years ago ... though I could be wrong.

So perhaps from an investment pov the key thing about decent provenance is to provide reassurance that the coin is genuine?

.

[jaggy]

I make a point of noting in my database which auction I bought a coin from, lot no. date and if it came from a specific collection (e.g. Willis). I also keep the paper trail to support that as well as any 'tickets' that come with the coin.