I Did Not Want It Bad Enough...ever Have One Of Those Days?

Tom, I am looking for a replacement 1808-14 Large Cent as well.

Baby steps...although some of those can be downright steep as well as treacherous.

Often. I usually bid sub fair market. About 1/3 of the time I surprise myself and win, but just as often lose to the next bid increment. It's a rare day when I join the merry chase, and even then I'll only go fair market.

It's too easy for me to get caught up in the competitive nature of an auction, so long ago, I developed my auction strategy:

For commodity items, I bid what I consider to be a "good price." Ideally, on the low (sometimes very low) end of fair market value. (While I might pay FMV in person, I figure I'm taking a risk at auction, so I expect to pay a slightly lower price.)

For special items, items I *really* want, I place one bid, in an amount that I will be somewhat relieved to have outbid. (And of course, I bid no more than I afford at that time. Collecting is a hobby!)

I would say that this strategy leaves me the high bidder about 25% of the time - but leaves me with buyers remorse none of the time.

I've watched friends & family do the auction method for their collections (coins & non-coins) with a lot of anxiety. They spend way too much time strategizing the best methods to hunt, bid, and snipe (last second bidding) their items. We're talking seasonal buying trends, regional shipping costs, and so forth.

For me, I prefer to:
1. Find it in circulation - at least the modern quarters & other coins
2. Visit coin shows or local shops; If the coin is in my hand then I know what I'm getting when I give them money.
3. Buy direct from the mint; again, modern coins.
4. Buy from a reputable dealer.

For me, I want my collection to be about the collection instead of getting wrapped-up in the auction emotional & financial roller-coaster. I do like watching some of the live auctions on Proxibid but have yet to hit the buy button.

Still kicking myself 1.5 years later. :(

http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...2&lotNo=7840

Gyrene, that is true and sad that PCGS could have a blatant error/variety in their hands and if the customer did not pay for attribution...it goes without saying.

I am not hung up on the 1906 Snow-14, I am just looking for a nice RD/RB attributed variety Type III (copper) IHC.

Something that I thought would be a great service is that if TOP III TPGers would ask the customer if they want it attributed if it was identified during the grading process. I realize that it would slow the process down, but if it is worth another twenty-something dollars to the grading service. Oh well, it would behoove the customer to know what they are sending in.

Happens all the time with me. At coin shows I've walked away from buying something, got a little distance and said to myself, hey I need that. Went back and now gone. Same at flea markets all the time. See something great, pass it up, go a few aisles further and again think, hey I want that. Now either can't remember where it was or now gone. Don't know why but so many times I wait to long for many things.

That is a GREAT IHC!