Article about coin collecting in Russia

[sigistenz]

source: http://www.coinsweekly.com/

 

Numismatics in Russia

by Vasily Gerasimov

Numismatics during socialism

For Russian numismatics, the socialistic era started with the end of all private coin collections: most of them were seized by the new government and distributed amongst nationalized museums. Others were taken abroad while some were simply stolen and got lost (like the collection of Grand Duke George Mikhailowich).

During the entire Soviet period, the numismatic science had only a quasi official status: it was a matter of the national academic institutes and museums. Associations and private persons were practically immaterial.

The reason was that in the USSR the circulation of precious metal of all shapes and kinds – that includes coins – was strictly supervised by the state. The purchase and sale of coins made of precious metal that were regarded “exchange valuables” was the privilege of the state and prohibited for private persons since 1918. Anyone undertaking such transactions was severely punished (up to penalty of death). The only things allowed to collect were coins made of copper, bronze or similar metals.

Like any other old association, the MNG was forced to operate illegally during the first years of the Soviet rule until it was finally closed at the end of 1924.

 

Between 1921 and 1941, there existed numismatic sections in the All-Russian Organisation of Collectors and the Soviet Philatelic Association established under state control. The main purpose of these organisations was to raise money by the sale of collection items to finance several state-run programmes. The Philatelic Association, for example, had the right to sell stamps but was obliged to transfer 50 % of the revenue to the treasury. Soon the numismatists renounced those organisations.

The Soviet state’s attitude on numismatics becomes apparent when considering the melting of 150 millions of old Russian silver coins of different nominations, including many rarities, in the 1920ies.

Because of that collectors tried to establish numismatic societies in the big cities. Some could not curb their passion for collecting and dared to assemble collections illegally. They were officially referred to as exchange speculators (when collecting foreign coins) or monarchists (collectors of old Russian coins) and were severely penalised. Hence, A. V. Gavrilov, member of the Artistic Theater, wrote in his diary: “August 24th, 1939. Last week, the houses of many actors and employees of the theater were searched – silver coins were confiscated. Roughly 100 silver Roubles and foreign exchange were found with the old usher G. F. Leontyev who collected coins. The newspapers reported. Some are imprisoned…“

 

During the Khrushchev Thaw, public life saw a boost. In 1957, the Collectors Society was constituted in Moscow with the numismatic section, and in 1966 the All-Russian Philatelic Society was re-opened again with the numismatic department soon becoming the biggest and most popular – to the great displeasure of the authorities and the management of the Philatelic Society.

In 1969, a campaign was launched against coin collectors in Kiev, Moscow and other cities. In a number of lawsuits various numismatists, together with exchange speculators, were sentenced to imprisonment. For the management of the Philatelic Society that was reason enough to exclude the numismatic department from the society.

The numismatists consequently were “homeless” for approximately two years. On Sundays, they gathered in the parks in Moscow where the militsiya tried to chase them away. In the early 1970ies, the Moscow numismatists managed to form a club under the name “yugo-sapad” (South-West) that was semi-illegal until 1980 and posed as a branch of the Philatelic Society. Several petitions to the authorities to legalise the Philatelic Society remained unanswered. What is worse, the persecutions of numismatists were even tightened. In 1977, the law on transactions with exchange valuables in the USSR was passed, and in 1982, the regulation pertaining to the limitation of transactions with coins made of precious metals for collecting purposes inured. Those documents cleared the way for further repressions of numismatists. They were followed by criminal procedures and the confiscation of collections.

The “yugo-sapad” club, however, continued to operate – its members published several numismatic papers, organised exhibitions as well as public performances, and established contact with numismatists in other areas of the USSR and abroad. Therewith, the club became a well-known organisation that was hard to ignore.

 

After in the time of the perestroika a number of legal obstacles were removed, the Moscow Numismatic Society was officially re-established in 1987. Having more than 500 members the society regards itself as centre of all “amateur numismatists” and stays in close contact with state history museums and institutions.

MNG publishes its essays in a Numismatic Journal (Numismatitscheskij Sbornik) and has its own website: www.mosnumismat.ru

Although there are local associations of numismatists in a number of Russian cities, a national, pan-Russian society is still missing.

 

In the meantime, the “official” numismatic science of the USSR produced impressive results. To staff members of the national museums and academic institutes such as A. W. Oreschnikov, A. K. Markov, A. A. Iljin (1858-1942) and R. R. Fasmer we owe important works on the classification of coins. I. G. Spassky (1904-1990) developed a new method to date coins with a die analysis.

Their disciples and followers – including N. D. Metz, W. L. Janin, W. M. Potin (1918-2005), V. V. Uzdenikov (1919-2008), A. S. Melnikova (1929-2005) and P. G. Gajdukov – represent the present-day Russian numismatic school.

Coin collecting in present-day Russia

Unfortunately, the coin market in present-day Russia is still young and insignificant. In order to understand that it is necessary to realise some of the country’s ins and outs with the most important being legislation: for one thing in Russia there are no laws on coins and numismatics. For another thing even in democratic Russia the circulation of precious metals is still under government control. To the law, coins of all kinds that contain only an amount of precious metal belong to precious metals with no distinction between ancient and modern coins, current or former currency. For that reason coins are subject to the same restrictions that apply for precious metals. To take one example: the export of coins that are official currency is the prerogative of the Central Bank and credit institutions. At the frontier, the control of the coins to be exported is accompanied by administrative barriers at the customhouse and the essay office to such an extent that only the Central Bank possesses enough influence to export coins abroad. No other bank gave it a try so far – except for Sberbank that provided its branch in Kazakhstan with modern Russian coins a number of times.

Since the import of coins to Russia is likewise difficult only a few big banks import coins.

A particular issue is the tax system. The Tax Code makes a distinction between “collectible” and “non-collectible” coins. The latter category includes coins that have no prooflike luster (like PP) possess currency status at the same time.

Those coins are not taxable – hence, practically, they are bullion coins. Any other coins – of PP grade or non-valid currency of any kind (PP or otherwise) – belong to the “collectible” coins and are subject to 18% VAT (20% in the past). Therefore, the coins become more and more expensive with every sale with the VAT being a multiplying factor.

 

Another law (aiming to protect the Russian cultural heritage) demands that every art object (including coins) older than 50 years can only be exported with permission of the Ministry of Culture.

Against that legal backdrop the Russian Central Bank started in the early 1990ies to sell an increasing part of the commemorative coins in Russia – in earlier days, entire coin editions in silver, gold and platinum were solely exported in foreign countries. In Russia, modern coins are sold by the banks. There, the customers can acquire the coins the institute has received from the Central Bank. At present, the ratio between the Russian and the international market in selling commemorative coins is 85-90% to 15-10%.

Hence, new commemorative coins find their way openly from the Central Bank (at selling price + 18% VAT) to the credit institute and from there (at retail price + 18% VAT) to the buyer until they disappear in a collection or on the black market where they are traded without VAT. Because of the tax there is no official resale market for commemorative coins except for bullion coins that some banks acquire. Some coin houses and the numismatic departments of many bookstores take coins and medals of all kinds – including old and even ancient coins – on commission only.

 

Auction houses, too, transact business on a commission basis. Some big and well-known auction houses are located in Moscow, like “Moneti i medali“ (Coins and Medals, www.numizmat.ru), “Gelos“ (www.gelos.ru) and “Ekaterina”. Others that are of interest to the numismatists are the internet auction www.auction.spb.ru, the auction house “Alexander” (www.adacoins.ru), “Russian Coins“ (www.ruscoins.ru) and quite a number of internet shops. In May, a gold 5 Rouble from 1762 was auctioned off (for USD 86,000) as well as 1 Rouble from 1730 (for 15 million Roubles equating roughly half a million USD) and a brooch of Catherine II (for USD 1.5 million).

 

There are no coin fairs or shows in Russia – in the current legal situation any such event is nearly impossible to stage.

 

Any quantification of coin collectors is difficult since there is neither record nor statistic. As for modern coins, it is possible to make an educated guess from the mintage of commemorative coins: the total mintage of the most popular silver coins (1/2 Ounce and 1 Ounce) is approximately 200,000. Each year up to 30 variations are issued with their individual edition ranging between 3,000 and 10,000, sometimes up to 12,500 pieces.

 

Apart from the commemorative coins of the Russian Central Bank, since 2002 some other big credit institutes like Sberbank and VTB Bank tender modern foreign coins – silver ones for the most part – to their customers. Last year, Sberbank imported more than 700,000 foreign coins.

 

In Russia, several numismatic journals are published, like “Numismat“ in Moscow and “Wodjanoj snak“ (Watermark) in Sankt Petersburg (info@watermark.ru); and there are the collected volumes of the Historical Institute and the Hermitage, any amount of internet portals and some smaller local editions in the big cities.

[one-kuna]

source: http://www.coinsweekly.com/

 

Numismatics in Russia

by Vasily Gerasimov

Numismatics during socialism

For Russian numismatics, the socialistic era started with the end of all private coin collections: most of them were seized by the new government and distributed amongst nationalized museums. Others were taken abroad while some were simply stolen and got lost (like the collection of Grand Duke George Mikhailowich).

During the entire Soviet period, the numismatic science had only a quasi official status: it was a matter of the national academic institutes and museums. Associations and private persons were practically immaterial.

The reason was that in the USSR the circulation of precious metal of all shapes and kinds – that includes coins – was strictly supervised by the state. The purchase and sale of coins made of precious metal that were regarded “exchange valuables” was the privilege of the state and prohibited for private persons since 1918. Anyone undertaking such transactions was severely punished (up to penalty of death). The only things allowed to collect were coins made of copper, bronze or similar metals.

Like any other old association, the MNG was forced to operate illegally during the first years of the Soviet rule until it was finally closed at the end of 1924.

 

Between 1921 and 1941, there existed numismatic sections in the All-Russian Organisation of Collectors and the Soviet Philatelic Association established under state control. The main purpose of these organisations was to raise money by the sale of collection items to finance several state-run programmes. The Philatelic Association, for example, had the right to sell stamps but was obliged to transfer 50 % of the revenue to the treasury. Soon the numismatists renounced those organisations.

The Soviet state’s attitude on numismatics becomes apparent when considering the melting of 150 millions of old Russian silver coins of different nominations, including many rarities, in the 1920ies.

Because of that collectors tried to establish numismatic societies in the big cities. Some could not curb their passion for collecting and dared to assemble collections illegally. They were officially referred to as exchange speculators (when collecting foreign coins) or monarchists (collectors of old Russian coins) and were severely penalised. Hence, A. V. Gavrilov, member of the Artistic Theater, wrote in his diary: “August 24th, 1939. Last week, the houses of many actors and employees of the theater were searched – silver coins were confiscated. Roughly 100 silver Roubles and foreign exchange were found with the old usher G. F. Leontyev who collected coins. The newspapers reported. Some are imprisoned…“

 

During the Khrushchev Thaw, public life saw a boost. In 1957, the Collectors Society was constituted in Moscow with the numismatic section, and in 1966 the All-Russian Philatelic Society was re-opened again with the numismatic department soon becoming the biggest and most popular – to the great displeasure of the authorities and the management of the Philatelic Society.

In 1969, a campaign was launched against coin collectors in Kiev, Moscow and other cities. In a number of lawsuits various numismatists, together with exchange speculators, were sentenced to imprisonment. For the management of the Philatelic Society that was reason enough to exclude the numismatic department from the society.

The numismatists consequently were “homeless” for approximately two years. On Sundays, they gathered in the parks in Moscow where the militsiya tried to chase them away. In the early 1970ies, the Moscow numismatists managed to form a club under the name “yugo-sapad” (South-West) that was semi-illegal until 1980 and posed as a branch of the Philatelic Society. Several petitions to the authorities to legalise the Philatelic Society remained unanswered. What is worse, the persecutions of numismatists were even tightened. In 1977, the law on transactions with exchange valuables in the USSR was passed, and in 1982, the regulation pertaining to the limitation of transactions with coins made of precious metals for collecting purposes inured. Those documents cleared the way for further repressions of numismatists. They were followed by criminal procedures and the confiscation of collections.

The “yugo-sapad” club, however, continued to operate – its members published several numismatic papers, organised exhibitions as well as public performances, and established contact with numismatists in other areas of the USSR and abroad. Therewith, the club became a well-known organisation that was hard to ignore.

 

After in the time of the perestroika a number of legal obstacles were removed, the Moscow Numismatic Society was officially re-established in 1987. Having more than 500 members the society regards itself as centre of all “amateur numismatists” and stays in close contact with state history museums and institutions.

MNG publishes its essays in a Numismatic Journal (Numismatitscheskij Sbornik) and has its own website: www.mosnumismat.ru

Although there are local associations of numismatists in a number of Russian cities, a national, pan-Russian society is still missing.

 

In the meantime, the “official” numismatic science of the USSR produced impressive results. To staff members of the national museums and academic institutes such as A. W. Oreschnikov, A. K. Markov, A. A. Iljin (1858-1942) and R. R. Fasmer we owe important works on the classification of coins. I. G. Spassky (1904-1990) developed a new method to date coins with a die analysis.

Their disciples and followers – including N. D. Metz, W. L. Janin, W. M. Potin (1918-2005), V. V. Uzdenikov (1919-2008), A. S. Melnikova (1929-2005) and P. G. Gajdukov – represent the present-day Russian numismatic school.

Coin collecting in present-day Russia

Unfortunately, the coin market in present-day Russia is still young and insignificant. In order to understand that it is necessary to realise some of the country’s ins and outs with the most important being legislation: for one thing in Russia there are no laws on coins and numismatics. For another thing even in democratic Russia the circulation of precious metals is still under government control. To the law, coins of all kinds that contain only an amount of precious metal belong to precious metals with no distinction between ancient and modern coins, current or former currency. For that reason coins are subject to the same restrictions that apply for precious metals. To take one example: the export of coins that are official currency is the prerogative of the Central Bank and credit institutions. At the frontier, the control of the coins to be exported is accompanied by administrative barriers at the customhouse and the essay office to such an extent that only the Central Bank possesses enough influence to export coins abroad. No other bank gave it a try so far – except for Sberbank that provided its branch in Kazakhstan with modern Russian coins a number of times.

Since the import of coins to Russia is likewise difficult only a few big banks import coins.

A particular issue is the tax system. The Tax Code makes a distinction between “collectible” and “non-collectible” coins. The latter category includes coins that have no prooflike luster (like PP) possess currency status at the same time.

Those coins are not taxable – hence, practically, they are bullion coins. Any other coins – of PP grade or non-valid currency of any kind (PP or otherwise) – belong to the “collectible” coins and are subject to 18% VAT (20% in the past). Therefore, the coins become more and more expensive with every sale with the VAT being a multiplying factor.

 

Another law (aiming to protect the Russian cultural heritage) demands that every art object (including coins) older than 50 years can only be exported with permission of the Ministry of Culture.

Against that legal backdrop the Russian Central Bank started in the early 1990ies to sell an increasing part of the commemorative coins in Russia – in earlier days, entire coin editions in silver, gold and platinum were solely exported in foreign countries. In Russia, modern coins are sold by the banks. There, the customers can acquire the coins the institute has received from the Central Bank. At present, the ratio between the Russian and the international market in selling commemorative coins is 85-90% to 15-10%.

Hence, new commemorative coins find their way openly from the Central Bank (at selling price + 18% VAT) to the credit institute and from there (at retail price + 18% VAT) to the buyer until they disappear in a collection or on the black market where they are traded without VAT. Because of the tax there is no official resale market for commemorative coins except for bullion coins that some banks acquire. Some coin houses and the numismatic departments of many bookstores take coins and medals of all kinds – including old and even ancient coins – on commission only.

 

Auction houses, too, transact business on a commission basis. Some big and well-known auction houses are located in Moscow, like “Moneti i medali“ (Coins and Medals, www.numizmat.ru), “Gelos“ (www.gelos.ru) and “Ekaterina”. Others that are of interest to the numismatists are the internet auction www.auction.spb.ru, the auction house “Alexander” (www.adacoins.ru), “Russian Coins“ (www.ruscoins.ru) and quite a number of internet shops. In May, a gold 5 Rouble from 1762 was auctioned off (for USD 86,000) as well as 1 Rouble from 1730 (for 15 million Roubles equating roughly half a million USD) and a brooch of Catherine II (for USD 1.5 million).

 

There are no coin fairs or shows in Russia – in the current legal situation any such event is nearly impossible to stage.

 

Any quantification of coin collectors is difficult since there is neither record nor statistic. As for modern coins, it is possible to make an educated guess from the mintage of commemorative coins: the total mintage of the most popular silver coins (1/2 Ounce and 1 Ounce) is approximately 200,000. Each year up to 30 variations are issued with their individual edition ranging between 3,000 and 10,000, sometimes up to 12,500 pieces.

 

Apart from the commemorative coins of the Russian Central Bank, since 2002 some other big credit institutes like Sberbank and VTB Bank tender modern foreign coins – silver ones for the most part – to their customers. Last year, Sberbank imported more than 700,000 foreign coins.

 

In Russia, several numismatic journals are published, like “Numismat“ in Moscow and “Wodjanoj snak“ (Watermark) in Sankt Petersburg (info@watermark.ru); and there are the collected volumes of the Historical Institute and the Hermitage, any amount of internet portals and some smaller local editions in the big cities.

interesting for those who do not know anything about collecting in russia - general article for puiblic,

for myself - there are some discrpenancies, missing events, and historical facts, etc,

thank you, Sigi

[grivna1726]

source: http://www.coinsweekly.com/

 

Numismatics in Russia

by Vasily Gerasimov

 

Very interesting article, Sigi. Thank you for posting it.

[Maya]

source: http://www.coinsweekly.com/

 

Numismatics in Russia

by Vasily Gerasimov

Thank you, Sigi. A very interesting and informative article (and also somewhat sad).

[one-kuna]

There are no coin fairs or shows in Russia – in the current legal situation any such event is nearly impossible to stage.

untrue

[PeterShell]

yes..maybe somehow untrue ( but I rather feel it than know).

For me most important is that I cannot buy anything from Russian Molotok (although I'm logged there and have account)

because none will send coin to Poland... So it is like looking for candys through the panzer - glass !!!

[Candidate]

For me most important is that I cannot buy anything from Russian Molotok (although I'm logged there and have account)

because none will send coin to Poland... So it is like looking for candys through the panzer - glass !!!

Equally I 'm registered at Polish Allegro - but nobody will agree to send a coin OUT of Poland... And I also look at candies... sorry, coins at PGN, WCN and WDA auctions through similar thick glass sometimes...

[PeterShell]

Let's say it is not true...of course companies like WCN or PGN have to work due the existing law..

so they have huge info on every auction "I'm not sending abroad" ..

When I was talking about candies thought about common people and in this case you will find lot of people willing to send coin abroad. NOT IN MOLOTOK !!

The best sollution for them is to show coin (with some crazy price), in a fact they don't sell them on Molotok (it is like a show room ) the process of trading goes usually during personal meetings.....

Nice but I don't want to go for every coin to Moscow.

In our case (Allegro) in fact people are sending coins abroad. I do that Problem is when we talk about sending to Russia and of course "matushka" Russian post .

To Lituania, Letland, Estonia letter goes 4 days, Ukraina, Moldova-5days, Russia - Moscow ( 1,5 MONTHS !!!!!!!), Perm (1,5 - 2 MONTHS !!!!!)

and quite often you are not sure if your letter will come... So that is main reason for let's say, cold treatment ...

If you want we can cooperate and I don't have huge expectations ..Most important do you have paypal? We can talk on priv if you want...

[one-kuna]

Since many successful numismatic auction houses in russia has been established their businesss and there is no way to buy from them because of its law - i am and many others friends of mine using their web sides for references only

and i am very satisfied

Consider my list - MiM, Gelos (in the past), Alexander, Znak, Niko, Kabinet, RND, Imperia, etc.

[Saor Alba]

Where there is will there is way. Many Russians found way to collect coins, even foreign coins, when coin collecting was really prohibited. I know this for a fact since I traded coins in USSR - older USA coins like large cents, Morgan dollars for early Russian and USSR coins.

[one-kuna]

and there are the collected volumes of the Historical Institute and the Hermitage, any amount of internet portals and some smaller local editions in the big cities.

 

in addition to this smallest list of literature i have ever seen - there are hundreds of numismatic books published in russia for the last decade and some of them are very nice world-wide recognized

[Candidate]

When I was talking about candies thought about common people and in this case you will find lot of people willing to send coin abroad. NOT IN MOLOTOK !!

Have you ever tried? There are people who agree to send coins abroad even in Molotok. But usually only at buyer's risk.

 

In our case (Allegro) in fact people are sending coins abroad. I do that

So you break the law? And at your risk?

 

If you want we can cooperate and I don't have huge expectations ..Most important do you have paypal? We can talk on priv if you want...

I personally do not sell and especially I do not ship any coins abroad. But if you can offer anyhting that might interest me, and can guarantee the risk-free shipment outside of Poland (not necessary to Russia, I can accept delivery to Germany, for example) - then please write a personal message to me. And - yes, I can pay by PayPal.

[PeterShell]

Have you ever tried? There are people who agree to send coins abroad even in Molotok. But usually only at buyer's risk.

 

Yes , few times ... and belive me after various kind of replies I decide to quit this idea ....

 

So you break the law? And at your risk?

 

Not anymore..now it is possible to send coins abroad. Before - litteraly speaking about fact that I was sending something older than 50 years (mean coins ) - yes, I did.

And I will allways stand at position that this is my private belonging and I can do whatever I want. Second thought - I'm dealing only with Russian coins so they may be a cultural heritage of Russia but not straightly Poland. The only risk is Russian post ..and sometimes our. Lucky me - I had only 1 lost of letter during few years of cooperation.

[PeterShell]

I personally do not sell and especially I do not ship any coins abroad. But if you can offer anyhting that might interest me, and can guarantee the risk-free shipment outside of Poland (not necessary to Russia, I can accept delivery to Germany, for example) - then please write a personal message to me. And - yes, I can pay by PayPal.

 

 

 

Personally I don't want to offer you anything .. it may of course happen that you will buy something from me on ebay... like others did.

So when I told you about cooperation I meant the fact that you cannot (sometimes) buy coins on Allegro and same is with me in case of Molotok..

That's all - the question and idea of cooperation was simple.. you need something from Allegro - I can help in case you cannot buy it and I would love to have same opportunity from time to time.

[one-kuna]

[PeterShell]

 

 

 

[Candidate]

when I told you about cooperation I meant the fact that you cannot (sometimes) buy coins on Allegro and same is with me in case of Molotok.. That's all - the question and idea of cooperation was simple.. you need something from Allegro - I can help in case you cannot buy it and I would love to have same opportunity from time to time.

Thanks, finally I think I begin to understand your idea - after you explained it more clearly.

So, if I even manage to find anything interesting at Allegro which I can not find in Russia

(which is not very probable, considering that currently there are about total of 700,000 coins at ebay,

about 313,000 coins at Molotok and about 39,000 at Allegro - including 426 pre-1917 Russian coins) -

you will be able to buy it for me and ship it to Russia (in case if seller will not agree to do it himself - and as you say,

that it is "now it is possible to send coins abroad" without breaking any laws).

And in exchange - "from time to time" - you may find some coin at Molotok (which should be over 50 years old -

otherwise the seller can mail it himself) and will ask me to buy if for you and ship it out to Poland (thus breaking Russia's laws).

That's how you see our possible "cooperation" ?

Or maybe I still do not understand your proposition well enough ?

[one-kuna]

there is Ukraine (country) by now between Warsaw and Moscow, not like earlier during USSR epoch

[PeterShell]

Thanks, finally I think I begin to understand your idea - after you explained it more clearly.

So, if I even manage to find anything interesting at Allegro which I can not find in Russia

(which is not very probable, considering that currently there are about total of 700,000 coins at ebay,

about 313,000 coins at Molotok and about 39,000 at Allegro - including 426 pre-1917 Russian coins) -

you will be able to buy it for me and ship it to Russia (in case if seller will not agree to do it himself - and as you say,

that it is "now it is possible to send coins abroad" without breaking any laws).

And in exchange - "from time to time" - you may find some coin at Molotok (which should be over 50 years old -

otherwise the seller can mail it himself) and will ask me to buy if for you and ship it out to Poland (thus breaking Russia's laws).

That's how you see our possible "cooperation" ?

Or maybe I still do not understand your proposition well enough ?

 

Looks that this goes to nowhere... Ok. Take deep breath and... think what you want. Life will go on, earth will go round without you

as a "man who decided to be Sanit during his life"

and of course ther will be bunch of your pals from Moscow, that are buying on Allegro and selling you our coins putting additional 200 %.

[Candidate]

Looks that this goes to nowhere... Ok. Take deep breath and... think what you want. Life will go on, earth will go round without you

as a "man who decided to be Sanit during his life"

and of course ther will be bunch of your pals from Moscow, that are buying on Allegro and selling you our coins putting additional 200 %.

As I thought, you have nothing to reply concretely - only uninvited advices and awkwardly hidden offence.

And caddish and far-fetched speculations about "bunch of my pals from Moscow".

 

Once again: for me, there is NOTHING worth buying at your "Allegro"; over past 3-4 years I saw only 1 or 2 coins which interested me there.

 

If you'd be able to buy something for me at your live auctions and then guarantee a risk-free delivery outside Poland - we could cooperate, maybe.

But nobody will "pull the chestnuts out of fire" for you for nothing.

[PeterShell]

If you have everything in your collection than for sure there is no use to talk about Allegro.

From my point of view.. I see some coins that love to buy on Molotok but cannot. That's all

and there is no philosophy in it.

I'M NOT ADVERTISING here so I won't and I don't want to quarantee you anything and it was rather retoric proposal in general.. If someone would ask me - "Peter, can you try and buy for me this coin? I cannot do that myself because..etc,etc."

I surely would try and this is simple (hope also for you)

If you don't know the meaning of word - cooperation - I'm not able to help you. Sorry

[Candidate]

If you don't know the meaning of word - cooperation - I'm not able to help you. Sorry

I did not ask you to help me or cooperate.

That was you who suggested - but failed to reply even couple of simple questions or even to guarantee anything.

For this case - yes, I do not get what you mean under "cooperation", and no, I do not want to "cooperate" in this way.

To my understanding "cooperation" is a two-way street - but maybe there are only one-way streets in your neighbourhood.

 

Stay well and good luck.

[PeterShell]

Yes for sure I will stay well