[WTS] My Casascius Collection

[OgNasty]

Asking price lowered to 35 BTC.  Payment will need to be made in advance of receiving coins.

[Steeley]

Any thoughts to getting them all graded??

No.  I put 0 value on ANACS's opinion of coins.  I actually prefer mine to be ungraded.  Will probably break open the one that is graded when I'm motivated enough.

I think you're on to something. I feel the ANACS grading is open to a lot of subjectivity, but what I feel and what is are two different things. I'm sure others here have more factual insight on what they're really considering for the grading process.

One other question for you - do you keep your collection on display? I'd love to have my collection on display but given the face value of each there's a lot of incentive for some acquaintance visitor to get some sticky fingers. I feel like I'd need a museum-strong locking glass case to feel comfortable leaving these beauties out to be appreciated each day.

This thread is amazing. What a collection OgNasty!

Question: There are a lot of differing opinions on the grading from ANACS. Most coins are rare enough that an MS66 versus MS67 is not worth much to me, whereas it does with USA mint coins that have Billions minted each year. However, how is ANACS doing in regards to authenticating the coin? Counterfeiters are what threaten the value of all this and an authenticator will eventually really matter (I think). Do you agree? Is ANACS any good at this?

[blucepheus]

Question: There are a lot of differing opinions on the grading from ANACS. Most coins are rare enough that an MS66 versus MS67 is not worth much to me, whereas it does with USA mint coins that have Billions minted each year. However, how is ANACS doing in regards to authenticating the coin? Counterfeiters are what threaten the value of all this and an authenticator will eventually really matter (I think). Do you agree? Is ANACS any good at this?

Building on this, how does ICG compare to ANACS? I have a bunch of physicals that I’d like to grade at some point and will need to decide between the two.

[Room101]

That's why I value Gold Anacs the most. When they were being done, the value of most Cas coins was low enough that the hassle and risk involved in getting counterfeit coins slabbed was not really worth the pay off. These days, be much more worth trying to get past the authentication coin graders provide.

[Steeley]

OgNasty:

My advise, which I admit is not worth much, is for you to consider a large auction house that is accustomed to selling major high priced items. Christie's, Sotheby's, etc. This is a world class collection, very historical and relevant right now. I think if you engage a broader market with people that know how to market to the highest net-wealth class, you might be surprised.

[OgNasty]

OgNasty:

My advise, which I admit is not worth much, is for you to consider a large auction house that is accustomed to selling major high priced items. Christie's, Sotheby's, etc. This is a world class collection, very historical and relevant right now. I think if you engage a broader market with people that know how to market to the highest net-wealth class, you might be surprised.

This would certainly be an avenue I would pursue if peeling didn't exist as an option.  Being totally honest, the USD value of these coins has surpassed any expectation I ever had for them.  If/when I decide it is time to cash them out, peeling is a legitimate option due to it's simplicity.  Selling the collection to someone on the forum for a BTC premium would be my preferred method as I'd like to see this collection live on in tact, but I doubt I would deal with an auction house as that seems like a pain in the ass and the auction house would likely be the main benefactor. 

I should start auctioning the brass coins here soon.  I've just been focusing my time on other things lately while hoping someone steps up to purchase the entire collection. 

One coin I won't be peeling is the 1000 BTC gold round...

[blucepheus]

OgNasty:

My advise, which I admit is not worth much, is for you to consider a large auction house that is accustomed to selling major high priced items. Christie's, Sotheby's, etc. This is a world class collection, very historical and relevant right now. I think if you engage a broader market with people that know how to market to the highest net-wealth class, you might be surprised.

This would certainly be an avenue I would pursue if peeling didn't exist as an option.  Being totally honest, the USD value of these coins has surpassed any expectation I ever had for them.  If/when I decide it is time to cash them out, peeling is a legitimate option due to it's simplicity.  Selling the collection to someone on the forum for a BTC premium would be my preferred method as I'd like to see this collection live on in tact, but I doubt I would deal with an auction house as that seems like a pain in the ass and the auction house would likely be the main benefactor.  

I should start auctioning the brass coins here soon.  I've just been focusing my time on other things lately while hoping someone steps up to purchase the entire collection.  

One coin I won't be peeling is the 1000 BTC gold round...

The auction houses charge a buyer's fee, which most wealthy buyers don't put much if any weight on, so you'd end up with the sale amount -- just fyi.

[OgNasty]

The auction houses charge a buyer's fee, which most wealthy buyers don't put much if any weight on, so you'd end up with the sale amount -- just fyi.

Fees are fees.  Regardless of which side it's taken from.  This just isn't how I do business with crypto.  I actually have quite a bit of experience dealing with auction houses dating back several decades and while I haven't ever dealt with one of the HUGE auction houses, I think it's safe to say that I would have been better off avoiding auctioneers with every interaction I ever had with them. 

[Otoh]

OgNasty:

My advise, which I admit is not worth much, is for you to consider a large auction house that is accustomed to selling major high priced items. Christie's, Sotheby's, etc. This is a world class collection, very historical and relevant right now. I think if you engage a broader market with people that know how to market to the highest net-wealth class, you might be surprised.

This would certainly be an avenue I would pursue if peeling didn't exist as an option.  Being totally honest, the USD value of these coins has surpassed any expectation I ever had for them.  If/when I decide it is time to cash them out, peeling is a legitimate option due to it's simplicity.  Selling the collection to someone on the forum for a BTC premium would be my preferred method as I'd like to see this collection live on in tact, but I doubt I would deal with an auction house as that seems like a pain in the ass and the auction house would likely be the main benefactor.  

I should start auctioning the brass coins here soon.  I've just been focusing my time on other things lately while hoping someone steps up to purchase the entire collection.  

One coin I won't be peeling is the 1000 BTC gold round...

The auction houses charge a buyer's fee, which most wealthy buyers don't put much if any weight on, so you'd end up with the sale amount -- just fyi.

I'm a very long term and 'wealthy' buyer from all of the major auction houses, I can assure you that we do pay attention to the approx 25% buyers fee with often sales tax on top of that, lol the wealthy don't just ignore or not notice an extra 25% on what they bid, FYI.

Also, the seller has to pay commission too, unless they are in a position to negotiate this away, it's usually 10%

I do hope though that there will be a collectables market with the major auction houses for physical crypto once bitcoin really becomes established say in 2023, especially now that Christie's are getting in on the NFT honeypot

I did personally suggest it to Spink back in 2012 as an opportunity to do a world's first and offered them a near full set of Cas coins, but of course, they failed to see the opportunity same as most back then.

[BurtW]

I looked into auction houses and they told me the coins would need to be graded and slabbed before they would consider auctioning them.  Mine are not slabbed so there is that.

[buckrogers]

I looked into auction houses and they told me the coins would need to be graded and slabbed before they would consider auctioning them.  Mine are not slabbed so there is that.

You can always get them graded and slabbed if that’s your goal for the future auction houses.

ICG  - comes highly recommended for one.

Thanks!

[Steeley]

OgNasty:

My advise, which I admit is not worth much, is for you to consider a large auction house that is accustomed to selling major high priced items. Christie's, Sotheby's, etc. This is a world class collection, very historical and relevant right now. I think if you engage a broader market with people that know how to market to the highest net-wealth class, you might be surprised.

This would certainly be an avenue I would pursue if peeling didn't exist as an option.  Being totally honest, the USD value of these coins has surpassed any expectation I ever had for them.  If/when I decide it is time to cash them out, peeling is a legitimate option due to it's simplicity.  Selling the collection to someone on the forum for a BTC premium would be my preferred method as I'd like to see this collection live on in tact, but I doubt I would deal with an auction house as that seems like a pain in the ass and the auction house would likely be the main benefactor.  

I should start auctioning the brass coins here soon.  I've just been focusing my time on other things lately while hoping someone steps up to purchase the entire collection.  

One coin I won't be peeling is the 1000 BTC gold round...

The auction houses charge a buyer's fee, which most wealthy buyers don't put much if any weight on, so you'd end up with the sale amount -- just fyi.

OG- I think I missed the point suggesting the auction house. I actually agree with your sensibility here. Screw 'em : )

The bigger point that I didn't communicate well is this. A collection like yours is one that could produce some buzz (like the NFTs selling for huge sums right now) that would bring attention to the physical bitcoin hobby. I think the hobby is one or two more high profile sales away from getting lit on fire. Could be good for Nasty Fans and everyone else. It will happen eventually regardless...

[slimzak]

Lovely collection. Come to think about it, this could be worth 100's of millions by 2030. Good luck!

[OgNasty]

Lovely collection. Come to think about it, this could be worth 100's of millions by 2030. Good luck!

Thanks.  I'll probably still be trying to sell them then but the return in USD is tantalizing to think about. 

Maybe I should just do a raffle?  2.25 BTC per spot, winner take all or each coin raffled separately...  What do you think?  Who's in? 

[BigBitz]

I’ve been thinking about selling a Casascius or two (few 1s and 0.5s) but I’m in the UK and the market is very limited here.

I also would be very concerned about posting them. It’s a beautiful collection Og. I remember from many moons ago when I first discovered this forum seeing some of these coins

[Gatorelf]

Question: There are a lot of differing opinions on the grading from ANACS. Most coins are rare enough that an MS66 versus MS67 is not worth much to me, whereas it does with USA mint coins that have Billions minted each year. However, how is ANACS doing in regards to authenticating the coin? Counterfeiters are what threaten the value of all this and an authenticator will eventually really matter (I think). Do you agree? Is ANACS any good at this?

[/quote]

I'm sure ANACS uses the public address as the first verification of the coins as any of us would.  Now that they have some HD images of previous graded coins it would be considerably more difficult to get a fake through. Plus the loaded dates are another tool

[OgNasty]

I also would be very concerned about posting them. It’s a beautiful collection Og. I remember from many moons ago when I first discovered this forum seeing some of these coins

It is indeed a concern.  I don't think I'll be shipping any of mine across the pond, but I've had pretty good luck shipping domestically. 
*knocks on wood

It would be great to find one single buyer for the entire collection and meet with them in person to ensure a smooth transition.  I've run out of duplicates to sell though, so I may have to start digging into this collection soon. 

I think I will likely start with the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl coin as it wasn't pictured in the collection anyway.    Anybody have any idea what those are going for these days or want to make an offer?  The brass coins are also likely "soon" to the auction block so if you'd like to make a purchase out of the public eye, PM me.

[RickDeckard]

A picture worth almost 1.5 million dollars, now there's something you don't see every day. That is indeed an incredible collection OgNasty, congratulations!

May I ask how much time did you "invested" in gathering up all this coins? How did this "mission" came to your mind? Was it something that you supported right from the start, or the notion of having a physical coin of BTC was too much to pass on?

[OgNasty]

May I ask how much time did you "invested" in gathering up all this coins? How did this "mission" came to your mind? Was it something that you supported right from the start, or the notion of having a physical coin of BTC was too much to pass on?

I kept my eye out for listings in the early years. The only coins I found difficult to get my hands on were the s2 2011 1 BTC brass coin and the 1000 BTC gold coin.

I didn’t set out to collect them all at first. I liked the idea of them so I purchased one of the originals with the error. Then I liked the silver ones so I bought them. At that point it just seemed like I might as well complete the collection so I slowly grabbed the rest. If I had more time before BTC got ridiculously expensive I probably would have purchased the 5 & 25 BTC rounds as well.

I had long wanted to make my own silver coin and when I discovered BTC one of the first things I did was reach out to Gavin Andresen for advice on a coin I wanted to make. He didn’t seem to like the idea because it wasn’t tied to any actual Bitcoin  (several years later I made them anyway, my Bitcoin binary rounds). Casascius coins seemed to solve that problem of not being tied to Bitcoin but ran into a different issue with selling loaded coins that needed to be solved. Nevertheless, I wanted to own what I considered to be a great innovation on the idea of a coin and so I did.

[RickDeckard]

I kept my eye out for listings in the early years. The only coins I found difficult to get my hands on were the s2 2011 1 BTC brass coin and the 1000 BTC gold coin.

I didn’t set out to collect them all at first. I liked the idea of them so I purchased one of the originals with the error. Then I liked the silver ones so I bought them. At that point it just seemed like I might as well complete the collection so I slowly grabbed the rest. If I had more time before BTC got ridiculously expensive I probably would have purchased the 5 & 25 BTC rounds as well.

I had long wanted to make my own silver coin and when I discovered BTC one of the first things I did was reach out to Gavin Andresen for advice on a coin I wanted to make. He didn’t seem to like the idea because it wasn’t tied to any actual Bitcoin  (several years later I made them anyway, my Bitcoin binary rounds). Casascius coins seemed to solve that problem of not being tied to Bitcoin but ran into a different issue with selling loaded coins that needed to be solved. Nevertheless, I wanted to own what I considered to be a great innovation on the idea of a coin and so I did.

Interesting read, thank you about that. It's funny to think/know that some people desires (in your case the initial liking of the whole idea) end up turning into valuable collections/items. I do reckon that even if you don't find any buyer for them you'll still manage to have a physical display of something that already has it's place in history + in the future you may be sitting in something that will be even more desirable. In that regard I wish you the best of luck in selling these.

Also, thank you for sharing your story regarding how this collection came to be.