1911 $5 Half Eagle Gold Coin (Or So I Think) But What Kind?

Oh ya, I forgot to mention how good your photos are even being uncropped MortSalt. Well shot, clear & crisp pics make us happy!

SsuperDdave, thanks for the warm welcome and the abundance of information. My iPhone shots weren't very good, so I broke out the Canon Digital Elph.

Now that I know something about the coin, a few follow-up questions:


What can I do to maintain it in optimal condition?

I live in Manhattan. If I decide to sell the coin, what reputable dealers should I consider?

I'm not in urgent need of the cash. Am I right in thinking that a coin like this is a pretty good investment, likely to appreciate at a rate comparable to the stock market?

Continued thanks,

Your best bet for preservation is a Mylar coin flip or cardboard 2x2. You have the advantage of gold being a stable metal which resists corrosion although the 10% copper alloy can allow it to become involved in a chemical process under the right circumstances. Is this your only coin worth holding, or do you intend/are you collecting? With economies of scale, other preservation containers would become appropriate.

Coins are not an investment vehicle. A sharp collector can ensure they won't lose money, but return follows no pattern whatsoever and is subject to the vagaries of changing precious metal prices, collector demand, the timing of the sale and the phase of the moon. I'm only half-kidding on the latter. This coin here is a good place to park money but it's unlikely to break very far loose from tracking gold price.

Liquidation would involve enlisting one of the reputable third-party graders (TPG's - we'll advise should this be your choice to do) to ensure authenticity and get it graded, as it will expose you to a far broader audience whose tolerance for raw coins is not that of an expert. There are any number of bespoke auction venues appropriate to your needs, sufficient that you need not worry about losing the wholesale/retail value a sale to a dealer would entail. Again, your specific plans and timing would have a bearing on the best possible answer.

I'm not trying to be evasive; it's just that the whole hobby is based upon subjective judgments and all factors have to be considered in the context of that moment in time.

Just thought I'd mention the option of ebay. I recently sold a similar coin RAW on ebay, although perhaps this would not be advisable in most circumstances. Here's the coin I sold, a 1908 $2.5 Indian:




The coin sold on ebay for $285, which I was happy to receive given the condition. (Note that mine is the $2.5 version and not the $5 like yours, which would be more valuable.) The buyer was also very pleased with the coin once received. All in all, a good transaction with both parties satisfied.

In my case, I feared that money might be wasted on having the coin graded, as I worried about a possible "details" grade. I'm not sure that applies in your case, since your coin looks to be in excellent no-problem condition (although I'm just a beginner and not good at all at grading). As Dave mentioned (who isn't a beginner!) there might be an ex-jewelry issue, not that I can say I see it. (On second and third look at your coin, I do see a line between the "S" and "T" in "TRUST" for example, if that's what Dave had in mind.)

In any event, welcome to the forum, and congrats on a very nice coin. I'm just beginning to learn about coins and my inherited collection with the help of the folks on CCF, but these Indians with the "incuse" design are probably my favorite of all so far.

Sorry, read the FAQ so I'd know how to quote replies, but I must be missing a detail, so in response to Dave:


<Is this your only coin worth holding, or do you intend/are you collecting? With economies of scale, other preservation containers would become appropriate.>

Unless the .55 cents in my pocket includes something rare, this is the full extent of my collection.

<Liquidation would involve enlisting one of the reputable third-party graders (TPG's - we'll advise should this be your choice to do) to ensure authenticity and get it graded, as it will expose you to a far broader audience whose tolerance for raw coins is not that of an expert. There are any number of bespoke auction venues appropriate to your needs, sufficient that you need not worry about losing the wholesale/retail value a sale to a dealer would entail. Again, your specific plans and timing would have a bearing on the best possible answer.>

I'm inclined to hold on to it, because I like gold as an investment, especially as part of a portfolio. I sold some gold in mid-2012, between the commodity's two peaks but still above $1,500/ounce, and I'm willing to hold it until gold is back up again -- even if that means my son sells the coin after I'm gone.

I ordered a couple of air-tite holders from Wizard Supply. If I'm holding the coin, should I still get it graded? In a scenario where I sell it, say, three years from now, I'd have to get it graded again, no?

I'd be happy to have you help me research it, thanks.

The Indian series has been hot lately at auctions. Keep it, enjoy it, and start this awesome hobby! You have only to gain!

Sorry, MortSalt - we're waiting for my fruit-fly attention span to come back around this direction. It's not difficult for me to get spread thinner than hammered gold.

The trouble with New York City with regard to your needs is, many of the local dealers are high-end guys who - not necessarily an insult to them - may not want to be bothered with relatively-common gold pieces as yours. NYC is the bigtime, and is where the larger numismatic dogs have presence. As we speak, and for the last few minutes, I've been going over the list of PGCS Authorized Dealers in the area. You can find this list yourself here (use a Zip Code and radius):

http://www.pcgs.com/Dealers/Default.aspx

I recognize many of the names which appear. What I do not know - and I will suggest you create a bespoke thread for in the Main Coin Forum, is which of them will be interested in working with you. The reason I suggest a new thread is that few of those who would know the answer are likely to read this one. Title it something like "Suggested dealers for PCGS/NGC submissions in New York City," and explain that you've a single (relatively) low value coin to piggyback onto a dealer's submission. Note the coin itself, as some dealers specialize. Aside making you spend an afternoon on the phone calling these people, I think this is the best I can personally do for you.