In the 12 years since eBay’s launch, the online auction house has established itself as a one-stop shop for all things rare, kitschy, and collectible. But recently, a small group of economists have mined the site for a different prize: clues on how people spend their money.

Behind the millions of online auctions lies a virtual mini-economy flush with raw data. Harvesting this information has fed a new branch of economics, one that has proved again and again that shoppers act in unexpected ways.

Auctions can be hard to predict. Various items, be they ancient coins or next-generation electronics, can inspire odd behavior in buyers.

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Despite summer-like temperatures in many sections of the country, the market for collectible currency showed no signs of languor in June, as the torrid pace of price advances showed no evidence whatever of letting up.

Demand for U.S. currency in virtually all grades and across just about every collecting specialty continued at record levels, while dealer inventories continued to shrink under the pressure of accelerated sales combined with few buying opportunities

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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Gold futures closed slightly lower Tuesday to tally a three-session loss of more than $2 an ounce as the U.S. dollar traded on a mixed note and crude price backed off a high of more than $75 a barrel.
“Minor price fatigue was visible in the market as bullion prices turned under the critical $665 mark on Tuesday,” said Jon Nadler, analyst at Kitco Bullion Dealers.
Gold for August delivery fell 40 cents to close at $665.90 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It spent much of the session trading higher.

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Superior Galleries would like to welcome you to our August 3, 2007 Milwaukee Elite Auction immediately preceding the American Numismatic Association Summer Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Superior Galleries is proud to be the official auctioneer of the Milwaukee Coin Expo. This exciting 1,100 plus lot auction will feature the Eagle Ridge Signature Collection. Superior Galleries is delighted to offer the following other collections in this auction catalogue

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