How I Stopped Drunk Bidding on Rare Coins (And Saved My Wallet)

The Night I Spent $750 on a Coin I Didn’t Remember Bidding On

Ever wake up to a purchase you can’t recall making? I sure have. One Friday at 2 AM, beer in hand, I wandered into Stack’s rare coin auctions. By sunrise, I’d bought a $750 coin with almost no memory of placing the bid. Turns out, I’m not the only one.

Why We Make Drunk Coin Purchases

The Perfect Storm of Factors

After chatting with fellow collectors and reflecting on my own slip-ups, I noticed three things that push us toward those “what was I thinking?” bids:

• Liquid courage: A drink or two makes that “Buy Now” button way less scary.
• Late night FOMO: Seeing others bid sparks a competitive rush—even at midnight.
• Easy access: Mobile bidding means no trip to the bank; just tap and regret.

My 5-Step Solution to Stop Drunk Bidding

1. The Pre-Game Watchlist Rule

These days, I only build my watchlist stone-cold sober. Here’s my go-to checklist:


- Max bid (sober-me approved)
- Past sale prices
- Is it legit?
- Does it fit my collection?


2. The Browser Extension Savior

I grabbed Auction Blocker for Chrome. It locks me out of bidding sites from 10 PM to 6 AM. The $5 monthly fee? Way cheaper than another surprise coin.

3. The Two-Factor Authentication Trick

I logged out everywhere and turned on 2FA. Now my phone’s in another room at night. Walking over to get it gives me a chance to rethink that “steal of a deal.”

When Accidents Still Happen

We’ve all been there. For those “uh-oh” moments, here’s what I do:

• Screenshot everything—fast
• Reach out to the auction house within a day
• Check what similar coins actually sell for
• Look into reselling if I really don’t want it

The Sober Collector’s Advantage

Since sticking to these steps, I’ve:

• Cut my impulse buys by 87%
• Boosted my collection’s return by 23%
• Started remembering what I own—imagine that!

“The best collections are built with patience, not pints” – My wallet, finally happy

Conclusion: Bid Smart, Drink Smarter

Late-night browsing can be fun, but the financial hangover? Not so much. With a few barriers, some tech help, and clear-headed planning, you can keep collecting without the regrets. These days, I celebrate wins with a drink—after the auction, at my price.

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