[Auction | NO MINIMUM BID] The Times 03 Jan 2009 | 10% to FreeRoss.org

[JDBound]

https://twitter.com/Free_Ross/status/1120472033337409538

Thank you @MattDElias for helping #FreeRoss by generously donating 10% of your proceeds of the auctioning of this rare piece of #Bitcoin memorabilia from Jan 3, 2009, when the first event on the #Bitcoin #Blockchain occurred!

#TheTimes03Jan2009

I will probably do an FAQ post later this week. Thanks everyone for your input and participation so far.  

[wheelz1200]

I wish you luck on this auction.  I love the one off collectables and this is king of one offs.  Wish I grabbed one when I could have.  Is this your only copy or do you have an extra to keep for yourself? 

[El duderino_]

I wish you luck on this auction.  I love the one off collectables and this is king of one offs.  Wish I grabbed one when I could have.  Is this your only copy or do you have an extra to keep for yourself? 

Indeed it was a smart piece of paper investment.....

[JDBound]

Auction has been live for almost one week and will run for another week. Thanks to all who commented, shared thoughts, and stopped by to read and take a look at this item.

FAQ

Q: Price is very high, how can you justify the high minimum bid?

A: These are obviously rare papers and very few sales have taken place. https://www.thetimes03jan2009.com/ notes 8 "verified copies" of the paper ranging in asking price from $250k-$1.3M. BTC has been somewhat volatile since the auction began but at a ~$5200/BTC the minimum bid for this auction is priced 15-20% below the lowest priced paper on https://www.thetimes03jan2009.com/ and I am a highly accessible and public owner happy to answer questions to facilitate this deal; and I am donating 10% of the final sale price to a deserving charity.

If you are commenting to complain about the price please take precautions to avoid having your post look like a bid.

Q: Is this your only copy?

A: Yes.

Q: Are you willing to meet the buyer in person to consummate this deal?

A: Yes, I am willing to travel (reasonable distance w/in the ConUS) to meet the buyer at an agreed upon location to complete this deal via in-person delivery if the winning bidder so chooses.

Q: Will you entertain a trade that is not the minimum bid or higher?

A: No.

[iBitcoinHongKong8]

Auction has been live for almost one week and will run for another week. Thanks to all who commented, shared thoughts, and stopped by to read and take a look at this item.

FAQ

Q: Price is very high, how can you justify the high minimum bid?

A: These are obviously rare papers and very few sales have taken place. https://www.thetimes03jan2009.com/ notes 8 "verified copies" of the paper ranging in asking price from $250k-$1.3M. BTC has been somewhat volatile since the auction began but at a ~$5200/BTC the minimum bid for this auction is priced 15-20% below the lowest priced paper on https://www.thetimes03jan2009.com/ and I am a highly accessible and public owner happy to answer questions to facilitate this deal; and I am donating 10% of the final sale price to a deserving charity.

If you are commenting to complain about the price please take precautions to avoid having your post look like a bid.

Q: Is this your only copy?

A: Yes.

Q: Are you willing to meet the buyer in person to consummate this deal?

A: Yes, I am willing to travel (reasonable distance w/in the ConUS) to meet the buyer at an agreed upon location to complete this deal via in-person delivery if the winning bidder so chooses.

Q: Will you entertain a trade that is not the minimum bid or higher?

A: No.

Very fascinating info. Never knew much of the intricate details of this item. Good luck with your auction/sale.

iBHK8

[Rmcdermott927]

I cannot tell you how many libraries I have searched in an attempt to find this issue. 

[gentlemand]

I cannot tell you how many libraries I have searched in an attempt to find this issue.  

I think it's now one of those things where if there was something available, someone got there and nabbed it a long, long time before it even occurred to you to look. I'm sure there must be some obsessive newspaper collectors with no interest in BTC who have one. Maybe their descendants will unearth it and buy their own space station.

[JDBound]

I cannot tell you how many libraries I have searched in an attempt to find this issue. 

There's still time to add this to your personal library 

I am still working to get the bonus item sorted, hoping to have photos to update this auction with soon; you guys will not be disappointed!

[JDBound]

Gentlemen -

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control I will be unable to include the bonus item w/ this auction. I had wanted to include a copy of The Times from 03 Jan 2019 featuring the Bitmex advert. I'm sure collectors more savvy than myself can make this pairing happen, but it won't be this auction.

I want this auction to end on a successful note and as of now there are approximately 48 hours remaining until the close of bidding. I am a motivated seller and I am willing to engage in some price discovery to make a deal on this piece. I would prefer to avoid fleabay, and I would love for this item to end up in the hands of a forum user.

Because BTC is up and because I failed to deliver on the bonus item I am lowering the minimum bid to 20 BTC. All other terms of the auction remain in place. I have updated the main post to reflect this. I do not anticipate lowering the price further and I hope this change encourages bidders in the final days & hours of the auction.

I have moved the FAQ to the 2nd post and will continue to update there with questions as they arise.

[anonymousminer]

So the 1/3/2019 paper was worth 20BTC as well??  I have a copy I’ll sell you for a mere 10BTC.  Half of what you believe it to be worth.  I’ll even cover the escrow fee.  

Edit:
...and I’ll give 1.5BTC to freeRoss out of your 10BTC.  It can come straight out of escrow. 

[JDBound]

So the 1/3/2019 paper was worth 20BTC as well??  I have a copy I’ll sell you for a mere 10BTC.  Half of what you believe it to be worth.  I’ll even cover the escrow fee.  

Please don't misrepresent what I believe the value of these items to be. If you read my first post I clearly state that the bonus item would not materially add to the value of the 03 Jan 2009 paper which is up for auction. Thanks for your offer though.  

[anonymousminer]

So the 1/3/2019 paper was worth 20BTC as well??  I have a copy I’ll sell you for a mere 10BTC.  Half of what you believe it to be worth.  I’ll even cover the escrow fee. 

Please don't misrepresent what I believe the value of these items to be. If you read my first post I clearly state that the bonus item would not materially add to the value of the 03 Jan 2009 paper which is up for auction. Thanks for your offer though 

Just following the absurdity.....  and making a point to go along with said absurdity. 

....and be careful about misrepresentation.  You give a site for reference with ABSURD FOR SALE prices.... not SOLD prices.  I can put my car for sale for 1M USD.... doesn’t mean it’s worth that.

[gentlemand]

Just following the absurdity.....  and making a point to go along with said absurdity.  

....and be careful about misrepresentation.  You give a site for reference with ABSURD FOR SALE prices.... not SOLD prices.  I can put my car for sale for 1M USD.... doesn’t mean it’s worth that.

That's what we're here to find out. I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to value this and I doubt anyone other than the eventual buyer does either, and even they probably don't know what they're willing to part with until they do.

He kicked off at a level that didn't ignite. Time for a different one.

[TMAN]

I’ll bid 1BTC and a mars bar..

Less than you want I know, but a lot more likely than your silly silly request son

[JDBound]

36 hrs remaining

[El duderino_]

I’ll bid 1BTC and a mars bar..

Less than you want I know, but a lot more likely than your silly silly request son

1.5BTC, just in case he would go for it....

[vizique]

I have all 3 UK released Times newspapers from this years anniversary featuring the Bitmex advert...
UK Print 2 versions & Scottish Times Print.
You have now made me curious as to the value of this clearly unusual anniversary set.

Viz

[gentlemand]

I have all 3 UK released Times newspapers from this years anniversary featuring the Bitmex advert...
UK Print 2 versions & Scottish Times Print.
You have now made me curious as to the value of this clearly unusual anniversary set.

Viz

Piddling. Loads and loads and loads of people will have them.

The stuff that winds up worth the most is often considered worthless at the time which is why they're so rare. 10th anniversary papers will be crawling out for decades to come. Anything that people believe will be a slam dunk in future from the off is always fatally saturated.

[JanEmil]

Piddling. Loads and loads and loads of people will have them.

The stuff that winds up worth the most is often considered worthless at the time which is why they're so rare. 10th anniversary papers will be crawling out for decades to come.

If your basement is big enough. Start filling the shelves.

[Blazed]

Seeing that start price makes me really regret not picking up 2 of these papers when I had the chance. IIRC back then he was asking 1BTC each and I was like lolplz...