Question - Would you pay to have your coins photographed?

[markn]

Would you pay to have your coins photographed?  More to the point, would you pay ME to photograph your coin and then deliver the images to you via email and via download from a website.  If you would, what would you think would be a fair price per coin?  Keep in mind that you'd be up for postage both ways too.  

What would you think about paying me in barter, basically in the form of silver (like round 50c coins or 90% US coins, or sterling GB coins) rather than via Paypal or bank transfer, or cash?

I know Walter did something like this a while back, so it's not a new idea.  And of course, PCGS do it too and it costs US$10 (about AUD$12) for them to do it.  I've been talking to PPH about it for a while, and the twist is really the payment method.  Anyway, let me know what you think.

[Oldcoinchest]

Hi Mark, do you also offer a grading service? I not knocking your idea, im just giving my opinion on the subject. For me dealing with the smaller coins with mainly $30 - $100 value its not worth it. By the time I pay postage both ways and a photo fee. I understand a good picture sells. If I had more coins to the value of $500 - $1000 then I might think about it if I could get my coins graded at the same time. The biggest risk is loosing coins in the post. If you get insurance the postage cost rises both ways.
My answer is I would pay (yeah $10 -$12) to get a great picture that will attract buyers but would want to get it graded/slabbed all in the one go. If the coin is graded already I probably wouldn't risk it.

[Fulvio]

I've been talking to PPH about it for a while, and the twist is really the payment method.

Can't think of a better use-case for Dogecoin!

Things have advanced dramatically in the past year. CoinSpot will auto-convert to A$ and charge really minimal fees for the service. Or, just hold and sell when the price goes up, like it has in the past few days.

http://fulvio55.altervista.org/ has price tickers and charts. From 59 to 67 Satoshi, and BTC has gone from $200 to $316. Not too shabby at all.

[trout]

I think it is a great idea Mark.
 I have seen some of your photography and IMHO it is better that the PGGS "Trueview" and Murphies dog can take better images than those crappy "Secure" ones they charge $5 a pop for.

These images can be quite easily uploaded to a set registry as well.
You could combine this service with a service to send coins off to PCGS/NGC , That way whoever consigns a coin for this will get a great Image of his/her coin and a grade estimate before having to wait the many weeks it takes for either of these TPG's to get around to it :yahoo:

[ausproofs]

Hi Mark, I would seriously consider it. However if I was to do it , I would do min 5 coins at a time to keep it economically viable option. More importantly I would be happy to pay via barter system than money... If I decided to pay via cash, I think $5. - $7.50 is a fair price..

[ausproofs]

I think it is a great idea Mark.
 I have seen some of your photography and IMHO it is better that the PGGS "Trueview" and Murphies dog can take better images than those crappy "Secure" ones they charge $5 a pop for.

These images can be quite easily uploaded to a set registry as well.
You could combine this service with a service to send coins off to PCGS/NGC , That way whoever consigns a coin for this will get a great Image of his/her coin and a grade estimate before having to wait the many weeks it takes for either of these TPG's to get around to it :yahoo:

MR Trout now thinks like a business man ! I agree Trout, your idea is a winner in my mind... I would use that service in a heartbeat..

[robbiegal]

hang on
isn't the question about a specialty coin photography service?

or it is a grading/photographing/slabbing service? All three are different services and are quite different with the latter assuming quite a lot of responsibility onto the handler  

there are dealers here already who cheerfully accept lots to add to the numbers for their own pcgs submissions

anyways, aside from my rant I think a professional coin photography service would be great but the logistics could be a bit cumbersome
not so sure about the barter system though - could be tricky

[autocoupler]

Great idea Mark, the only issue for me would be the method of delivery. If it was just a matter of jumping in the car and driving down the road a bit, you've got me every time. Ever thought of moving interstate :nea: I didn't think so

[Unicorn]

..... not so sure about the barter system though ......

As Peter Russell Clarke would say ...... "Because barter tastes better!"

(Sorry ........ it's been a slow day ......)

[Nightparrot]

I would definitely consider it for my higher graded coins and for coins that I have difficulty photographing myself e.g. toned coins. Cost is obviously the issue. An alternative might be some tuition for those that would like to do it themselves but lack the skills and experience.

[trout]

I use the exact same lense that Markin uses and on probably a higher Megapixel camera but cannot for the life of me achieve the same results as to producing a true to life image of a coin that he can get.
This Bloke is an "Artisan" with a camera and shows a coin for what it is and how it is, Unlike the "Trueview" images that look super touched up to my eyes.
I recon Markn could do this for $5 per coin (Same cost for the crappy secure images that PCGS provides) and produce a truly professional image that could be uploaded to a set registry in a heartbeat :yahoo:
So whither you want to sell a coin or simply show it off to the World I consider Markens offer to do this invaluable to collectors without the equipment or knowledge to be able to achieve this level of quality in coin imaging :ok:

[Fulvio]

...cannot for the life of me achieve the same results...

Because its almost all in the lighting, not the camera.

[robbiegal]

i'd think that $5 a coin is pretty darn cheap for a professional service

my daughter paid $100 for her dogs to be photographed and that was mates rates by a prof. photographer

the pcgs $5 photo isn't exactly a winner amongst submitters here either but sometimes you get what you pay for

[markn]

I wouldn't do it for $5.  It takes about 5 minutes per coin with taking images, cropping, attaching to emails, uploading to website etc.  Throw in breaking the coin out of a holder, polishing the odd scratched slab and the 5 minutes easily becomes 10.

I am thinking $10 cash or 1/3 of an ounce of silver ($7.50) per coin

[trout]

I am thinking $10 cash or 1/3 of an ounce of silver ($7.50) per coin

That's still only a Florin or Two Bob per image