| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
 Posted - 08/16/2009 : 23:24:10
|
Ok, so who wants to brag about some numismatic deals that they were able to scoop from eBay or other places?
Just this weekend, I was able to get 2 1921 merc dimes, one in VG, one in F, for less than $55 each. Then I got a 1921 Walker that is certified authentic, and should grade around VG for $130. And then I got a 1944S merc, PCGS MS66, for $25. I then checked out some cent auctions and was able to scoop an 1860 Indian in XF for $10.50. I went back to the half dollars and found a lot of 20 walkers that included a 23S in F, a 21S in VG, a 27S in VF, as well as several other good dates that I conservatively valued together at about $274... bid $219, won it for $202. I was really on a roll, but then I started to lose some bids on other auctions, and I thought that my luck was running out. Then the best one hit... I bid $200 for a 1921D merc in VF and got it for $113!
Total cash outlay: about $580
Total numi value: about $1,184
I've never sent anything off to be graded. Has anyone ever used PCGS services? It seems to me to be the most well known and respected grading service. I think I'll be sending a few of these off to them.
So let's hear some other great numi deals. Obviously, bullion below spot is also great news, too. I'll update this post with pictures when they all arrive safely.
edit: I forgot to add that I only bid on auctions that were offered by sellers with 100% positive feedback
|
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
Edited by - Market Harmony on 08/16/2009 23:36:26 |
|
|
daviscfad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1664 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2009 : 23:59:35
|
| cant wait to see some pics! |
Inquiring minds want to know |
 |
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 12:30:56
|
Well I was going to make a new topic about this but...
Thursday was a great day for me, but not my wallet  . My friend's aunt's father-in-law has Alzheimers and has gone on a buying spree recently. They were looking to sell his rather large collection to get him some money back.
I bought 99.7 fv silver for 9.5x face. This included 43 morgan/peace and some rolls of walker/franklins. Two 55 franklins were found in the bunch in very nice condition. I also got a 1986 1oz gold American Eagle for spot price. I bought two half eagles, one from 1885 and the other from 1886 for spot price. Four government commemorative sets from 1986-1989. These sets each include a $5 gold piece, a silver dollar, and a clad half.
Now my favorite part  . 38, yes, 38 Silver Eagles. Two of each from 1986-2004. These are all proof including the ones from 1993-1997 which are worth 150-230 each .
But wait! There's more! Proof sets
State quarter proof sets (just the quarters)
1999-2
2001-5
Proof Sets (All coins)
2002-2
2001-5
1999-2
Silver Proof Sets (All coins)
2001-2
I paid: A lot
I made: A lot more
PS: Ill put some pics up, but I suck at taking pictures... And some of this stuff will actually be up for sale in a little while. |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 12:41:38
|
Half Eagle.
Reverse.
Gold American Eagle
1989 Congress Bicentennial Commemoratives
1987 US Constitution Bicentennial
1986 Statue of Liberty
1988 Seoul Olympiad
2001 American Buffalo Proof Commemorative (Forgot to mention that in the first post) |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 12:42:48
|
1986 Statue of Liberty (no gold)
Proof Sets!
Silver American Eagles! |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
G Powerbuck
Penny Collector Member
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 14:24:15
|
WOW!!!
Great job, and its even better when its a win win for both parties.
Congratulations |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 16:35:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by kieblera5
...Thursday was a great day for me... They were looking to sell his rather large collection to get him some money back...
Very nice! Glad everyone is happy |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 16:37:43
|
I got 2 packages today... now that is some fast shipping!
1921 Merc... VG maybe? You be the judge and let me know.
1944S Merc... PCGS MS66
 |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Country
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3121 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 18:00:05
|
Sorry MH.  The 1921 dime looks like a GOOD to me. Too much wear on the fasces. A VERY GOOD needs to have half of the fasces on the reverse show. A FINE needs to have ALL sticks of the fasces defined. |
---> Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
– Theodore Roosevelt
|
Edited by - Country on 08/17/2009 18:37:33 |
|
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 18:56:21
|
quote:
Originally posted by Country
Sorry MH. The 1921 dime looks like a GOOD to me. Too much wear on the fasces. A VERY GOOD needs to have half of the fasces on the reverse show. A FINE needs to have ALL sticks of the fasces defined.
Ditto on that. You need all the rims too for VG. |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 19:02:11
|
Thanks for the help on that. VG was wishful thinking I suppose. But it did lead me to do a lot of searching for coin grading and I'm learning much more on the subject.
I paid $31.99 for it... I guess I broke even to lost a little on this one |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
NDFARMER
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1197 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2009 : 19:26:17
|
quote:
Originally posted by Market Harmony
Thanks for the help on that. VG was wishful thinking I suppose. But it did lead me to do a lot of searching for coin grading and I'm learning much more on the subject.
I paid $31.99 for it... I guess I broke even to lost a little on this one
Red Book says a G-4 is worth $65.00 so I think you still did O.K. |
COPPER - the "poormans" precious metal!!!
SELLING - $100.00 face copper shipped to you for $189.00 machine rolled or bagged - PM me if your interested. |
|
|
|
2old
Penny Pincher Member
188 Posts |
Posted - 08/19/2009 : 12:35:52
|
You asked about PCGS. I have bought/sold certified coins for many years. PCGS has the best reputsation and coins in their holders generaly bring premium prices. I sam selling all of my coins not in PCGS holders and buying PCGS only.
They also have a new site:
You must be logged in to see this link.
that is just getting started, but is pretty nice. |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 19:16:02
|
quote:
Originally posted by 2old
You asked about PCGS. I have bought/sold certified coins for many years. PCGS has the best reputsation and coins in their holders generaly bring premium prices. I sam selling all of my coins not in PCGS holders and buying PCGS only.
They also have a new site:
You must be logged in to see this link.
that is just getting started, but is pretty nice.
Thanks for that info and confirmation about PCGS. I think that will be the only service that I will use... That way everything is consistent and reputable. |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 19:33:21
|
I just got back from a short trip and had a chance this evening to go through all the coins that came in while I was away. But I'll start off with a bit of bad news first. The guy backed out of the deal for the 1921 D mercury dime in XF condition. He said that it was "an inventory error"... well, that can be understandable if only he didn't assure me twice how nice the coin was and that he suggested that I send it off to a grading service. Anyway, I didn't get the 21D. But here's the pictures of the coins that I did get. I need some help on the grades. So feel free to tell me how far off the mark I am:
1860 Indian Cent - FINE (15)
1921 Mercury Dime - GOOD (6)
1921 Walking Liberty Half Dollar - FINE (12)
1921 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar - GOOD (6)
1923 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar - VERY GOOD (10)
1927 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar - FINE (15)
I recently got a book called, Making the Grade It gives pretty detailed pictures and description of coins in the range of conditions. I'm using this book to help me out on these grades, but perhaps I'm not catching everything. I would appreciate any feedback.
I already have a lot of knowledge on grading Morgans and Peace Dollars, but now I get to learn much more about all the other little intricacies of the other coins with this book. It's a lot of fun, but now I have to go back through all of my self-graded coins to see how accurate I was in the past. |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
Edited by - Market Harmony on 08/28/2009 19:34:34 |
|
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2009 : 20:48:26
|
The 21 and 21S Walking Liberty halves both look exactly the same. Not sure how you determined that the first one was Fine, but I'd say that it's only G4.
I like the ANA Grading Standards for US Coins book for grading coins. |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 07:45:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by kieblera5
The 21 and 21S Walking Liberty halves both look exactly the same. Not sure how you determined that the first one was Fine, but I'd say that it's only G4.
I like the ANA Grading Standards for US Coins book for grading coins.
You have to look at the rim better, and the feathers on the reverse, and the dates. The 21 has much better rims than the 21S. The 21 is meeting all of the criteria listed in the book for F12, and has the same features as the book's picture. Michael Fahey, senior grader and authenticator for ANACS personally graded all of the coins that are pictured in the book.
There is no way that the 21 would grade as low as Good. If anything, it would be a VG10 on the most conservative eyes. |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 07:46:59
|
quote:
Originally posted by Market Harmony
quote:
Originally posted by kieblera5
The 21 and 21S Walking Liberty halves both look exactly the same. Not sure how you determined that the first one was Fine, but I'd say that it's only G4.
I like the ANA Grading Standards for US Coins book for grading coins.
You have to look at the rim better, and the feathers on the reverse, and the dates. The 21 has much better rims than the 21S. The 21 is meeting all of the criteria listed in the book for F12, and has the same features as the book's picture. Michael Fahey, senior grader and authenticator for ANACS personally graded all of the coins that are pictured in the book.
There is no way that the 21 would grade as low as Good. If anything, it would be a VG10 on the most conservative eyes. But like I said, it meets all the standards for F12... but perhaps there are other factors that might bring it down that I don't know about.
|
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Country
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3121 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 10:40:50
|
Compare the 1927-S FINE Walker with the 1921.
The 1927-S has strong raised rims on both obverse and reverse. The 1921 rims on reverse are worn down too much.
Compare the details on the wings of the eagle.
Next, are all the skirt lines there, but worn in spots? The 1927-S has them all, but the 1921 has only about half the skirt lines visible.
Next, look at the sandal below the motto on the obverse. You can see the detail on the sandal on the 1927-S. The sandal details on the 1921 are worn off.
The 1927-S is an undamaged coin. The 1921 has a rim bump to the left of the date.
IMHO, the 1921 is a VG-8 as far as wear is concerned. The rim bump should detract a little in the quoted price. |
---> Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
– Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 15:15:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by Country
Compare the 1927-S FINE Walker with the 1921.
The 1927-S has strong raised rims on both obverse and reverse. The 1921 rims on reverse are worn down too much.
Compare the details on the wings of the eagle.
Next, are all the skirt lines there, but worn in spots? The 1927-S has them all, but the 1921 has only about half the skirt lines visible.
Next, look at the sandal below the motto on the obverse. You can see the detail on the sandal on the 1927-S. The sandal details on the 1921 are worn off.
The 1927-S is an undamaged coin. The 1921 has a rim bump to the left of the date.
IMHO, the 1921 is a VG-8 as far as wear is concerned. The rim bump should detract a little in the quoted price.
Thanks for the great information. In the book I have, it is unclear to me whether the detailed skirt lines were changed in 1921 or before 1921. Bruce Fox, of The Complete Guide to Walking Liberty Half Dollars says that the skirt lines from 1916 to 1921 should largely be ignored for grading purposes.
Should the 1923 S be bumped up to F12?
Also, I'm good on the dollars, but I have a need for another opinion for an 1884S Morgan. I'm looking at all the points, and the only thing that I see is very light chest feathers on the reverse, and some light bag marks on the face and neck. I'm stuck between MS60 and MS62 on this coin, which can mean a big difference in value. I will most likely be sending it off to PCGS for an official grade, but some help here would be much appreciated. Here's the coin:
|
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
Country
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3121 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 16:31:51
|
Here's what PCGS says about the MS60-MS63 grades for the silver dollar:
MS-60
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "60" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is the lowest of the eleven Mint State grades that range from MS60 through MS70. An MS60 coin will usually exhibit the maximum number of marks and/or hairlines. The luster may range from poor to full, but is usually on the "poor" side. Eye appeal is usually minimal.
MS-61
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "61" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade meets the minimum requirements of Mint State plus includes some virtues not found on MS60 coins. For instance, there may be slightly fewer marks than on an MS60 coin, or better luster, or less negative eye appeal.
MS-62
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "62" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is nearly in the "choice" or MS63 category, but there is usually one thing that keeps it from a higher grader. Expect to find excessive marks or an extremely poor strike or dark and unattractive toning. Some MS62 coins will have clean surfaces and reasonably good eye appeal but exhibit many hairlines on the fields and devices.
MS-63
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "63" (the numerical designation of that grade). The equivalent of "choice" or "Choice BU" from the days before numerical grading was prevalent. This grade is usually found with clean fields and distracting marks or hairlines on the devices OR clean devices with distracting marks or hairlines in the fields. The strike and luster can range from mediocre to excellent.
You must be logged in to see this link.
IMHO, you've got an MS-61 or MS-62 1884-S silver dollar. This Morgan has good eye appeal and full lustre and some nice edge toning. The bag marks detract from a higher grade. The photo does not allow me to see any possible hairline rubs.
The 1923-S half seems graded correctly to me. There's a few more nicks here and there, and slightly more wear on the rims, than appear on the 1927-S FINE half dollar. |
---> Come to the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org
The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
– Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
|
|
kieblera5
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
859 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2009 : 17:18:03
|
| I'll say you have a MS61 Morgan there. I, personally, don't like the toning on the edge. Again, grading is personal, not always professional. I've seen arguments break out at coin shows over one point in MS grades... |
Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you mercilessly with experience.
Caller number seven gets the Peace Prize!
Get coding tips, tricks, and more at: http://codingmonday.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
wolvesdad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2009 : 17:19:15
|
From last to first...my grading opinions:
The 1884S morgan: I can't grade it... I would need a non glare or angled shot on the fields and the cheek. It looks like it may have too much chatter on the breast feathers, and the cheek.... It may only be an AU55, but better photos would reveal this clearly. Do you have any thought that it has been cleaned or dipped before? If so, then it wouldn't be worth the time/money to send it in to PCGS.
For the Walkers I would say the 23S is VG10(same) and the 27S is Fine12(a little lower than stated).
The 1921 I would grade no better than a G6 because of the wear on the rim on the reverse and the breast is completely flat.
the 1921S I would grade as a solid G4, however I think some graders wouldn't even give it G4 ( but AG3) because of the flattness or absence of rims on most of the front and reverse. These gradings are very conservative, but I would be very surprised if PCGS gave one out of these 4 walkers a higher grade.
I am not good at grading Indian cents or merc dimes, so I won't try on them. |
"May your percentages ever increase!" |
|
|
|
Market Harmony
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1274 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 20:41:01
|
I went to an auction and found an 1887-S Morgan that looked like it needed a good home. The obverse looked great, MS state for sure. But then I flipped it over and saw that the reverse had hairlines, and seemed to be cleaned. So, I decided that I would treat it as a AU58 and bid accordingly. But when I looked at my price guide, I must have made a mistake, as I ended up bidding at the MS60 price level. Ultimately, I won the auction for $70. When I reviewed all my purchases, and compared the prices with what the fmv value was, I was really disappointed with myself on the error. But, then things changed, and then changed some more...
I recently went through my Morgans to confirm my grading skills on them. I will occasionally do this to test my intitial grade with a current grade in order to really make my grading consistent. I do this every 6 to 8 months or so with Morgans, as they are the focus of my coin collection. It also helps to keep fresh. Anyway, I was going through them all and came across that 1887-S again. I looked at the obverse and graded it at MS64, then flipped it over and got that "oh crap" feeling all over again when I saw the hairline "scratches." So, I took out a 10X loupe and decided to investigate the lines some more. This is when the first change happened... the lines were there, of course, but I was noticing that they were only in the fields and not at all on the design. They went right up to the eagle or the numbers, and then just stopped. And I mean right to the very wall of the edge of the design. So, this makes it impossible for the coins to have been whizzed or rubbed or steel-wooled... or cleaned. The scratches were actually the original surface. The hairline scratches were a product of polishing the coin die itself, and this was a semi-prooflike reverse, with a regular obverse. What's more, is that the reverse is also in MS64 condition. Woo-Hoo! That makes a $70 investment into a $600 coin ($690 according to numismedia fmv price)
But now it changes again... and it gets even better. I decided that I needed some extra help on the matter, so I posted my dilemna on Cointalk (You must be logged in to see this link.) First, they agreed on the MS64 rating, then one poster asked about the 'S' mintmark. So I posted the picture of the mm and he comes back that it is the Top 100 S/S VAM 2, 1887-S Morgan. SUPER! Now I've got a rarity, here. A PCGS, MS64 VAM 2 You must be logged in to see this link. is going for $689.95 BIN. So, if I decide to send it off right away to PCGS, and they agree with the grade, then I have made a nice little "mistake" investment... about 9X my money (with a little luck)
A great numi-deal indeed   |
goto the new and improved realcent: http://realcent.org |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 22:47:28
|
| I think the 21 Walker looks a little better than the 21-S, but I need to see a lot more feathers and skirt to make fine. I would grade the 21 VG-8 and the 21-S a weak G-4. Is that a slight rim bump at 6:30 on the 21? |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2009 : 22:53:21
|
| I just read Country's post. Looks like I am not the only one seeing a rim bump. |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Great Numi Deals
Forum Locked
