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 Replies: 87 / Views: 9,398 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
838 Posts |
I wonder sometimes if coins -- mainly higher grade cents -- "stick together" all the way from the mint, and end up dumped at the same time. Perhaps this was the case for two or more of your six 1949 ATD.
As for ultra-good deals, a few years ago I remember an old-timer flea market dealer tell me that he found a brass 1859 large cent in a jug of them he bought way back in the 40s. (We can assume he paid peanuts per coin.) I find it a bit hard to believe the brass cent went unnoticed (even back then). On the other hand, I don't have any good reason to disbelieve the guy's story either!
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
bibd, insane finds! 09-S for $1 :-O , and a 1908-S for $4! With your luck, an 1877 for $20! I am working on my IHC Dansco and love the series. Just upgraded my 1877 but need the 09-S. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
838 Posts |
vermontensium: From what I recall of the price charts, you easily tripled up your money (maybe more).  I highly doubt the 1877 is in the cards, unless I shell out the usual big bucks. Un-noticed reverse mintmarks are likely the reason those S-mm IHC made their way into my hands! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
188506 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1610 Posts |
Very nice find jbuck and I am glad the dealer was cool about it!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
570 Posts |
Saved this one from the smelter. Picked it up for melt value last year. 1932 florin key date.   |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Wow--that's a great key date Florin for melt! The grade looks around Fine. Quote:
I wonder sometimes if coins -- mainly higher grade cents -- "stick together" all the way from the mint, and end up dumped at the same time. Perhaps this was the case for two or more of your six 1949 ATD. That's an interesting idea to consider. Judging from how some US varieties surfaced regionally, perhaps the same is true for the 1949AT? I recall this box came from a single source, and the ATs were in grades from fine to EF--so perhaps they saw more circulation in a specific area?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
I'm sure many will disagree, but I'd feel pretty sleazy about buying a coin for a dollar that I knew was worth many hundreds. I'm a haggler and like a good deal as much as anyone, but there is a point at which it is beyond just that. I know that the dealer made a mistake and all, and anyone else fortunate enough to find it could have done the same, but it just strikes me as strange to take advantage of someone's mistake that much.
I have pointed out "missed mint marks" to dealers before, I just feel that honesty is better for all involved. I detest those who try to rip off others, so that kind of thing ( taking advantage of someone's obvious mistake ) is kind of the same thing - only buyer instead of seller. 20%-30%, or even 50%+ discount or sweet auction buy is one thing. But paying like < 0.2% of actual worth? It's a bit like trying to take advantage of a type-o in an ad. You know it is unintentional, should you try anyway? I'm always looking for bargains, but not looking for mistakes to try to take advantage of someone else on. Wholesale, retail, markup is a factor in deals, obvious type-os or overlooked mintmarks etc. is a completely different category - IMO.
GL2ALL
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I'm not sure which is my best find in coins.
Once at a garage/yard sale I asked about any old coins. The lady went in the house and brought out a jar of pennies. The entire bottom was all Indian Heads. I asked how much and as told I'd have to count them right now. Instead I offered $50 and she took that. Later I found face value was about $35. Newest coin was in the 50's.
At a flea market I opened a black 3 ringed binder. It was full of those 20 pocket plastic pages full of Indian Head Nickels. Later I counted 238 of them and a few Jefferson ones too. Not sure but I think the price was $80.
At a coin show a dealer was just opening up and was busy talking to a freind. On his table was a can of Indian Head Nickels. Sigh said 3/$1. First one I picked up was a 3 legged 37D in EF grade. I asked why so cheap and was rudely told that is the way I bought them so either take some or don't. I tried several times to say what was in there but ignored so I purchased $5 worth including the 3 leggered one. I tried to chew him down on prices too but again was ignored.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
BuffalosRock, when it come to coin dealers, my view is that it is not my job to do the research for him at no cost. If he was too busy, or too lazy, or too inexperienced to know what he was selling, then that is on him. Besides, if he had paid whoever he got it from a fair price, you can bet he would not have it in the bulk bin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
Besides, if he had paid whoever he got it from a fair price, you can bet he would not have it in the bulk bin. Interesting--I had not looked at it that way before.  I have probably put in a good 100+ hours researching scarcer varieties. Therefore, my discoveries are the result of my own hard work. It's not knowledge I give away for free, except perhaps to fellow collectors here.  Most dealers are trying to buy/move coins in bulk, and I'm focusing on very specific coins. There are advantages to each approach. Edited by DVCollector
09/02/2011 2:58 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
570 Posts |
Quote:
BuffalosRock, when it come to coin dealers, my view is that it is not my job to do the research for him at no cost. If he was too busy, or too lazy, or too inexperienced to know what he was selling, then that is on him. Besides, if he had paid whoever he got it from a fair price, you can bet he would not have it in the bulk bin. When I got the 1932 florin I actually did not know it was a key date until I got it home and looked it up. I got a bunch of other foreign silver coins at the same time as well. The dealer that I get my coins from buys foreign silver coins by its content and sells it at his spread. Anything that doesn't sell or when his box gets full he just sends it to the smelter. So my dealer sells them to me at around spot. He says out of all the people that come in I am one of a few who asks for foreign coins. He mostly just buys scrap gold and silver and sells jewelry and US coins. Most of the time the coins I end up with are worth more in silver value then in numismatic value. I'm just wondering how many good coins he has sent to the smelter, because I could not possibly buy them all. Dealers can't have all there capital tied up and when they need money, dealers who deal with mainly US coins, will end up dumping the foreign because it is harder to turn around for them. I see it as I am saving some coins from going to the smelter. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
My second great deal, a 1935 Canada dollar MS62-65 sold to me for melt value!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
That 1932 florin is a very nice pickup! Congratulations!
My acquisitions?
Ptolemy X11 tetradrachm in VF from a dealer's junk box in 1975 for AUD $7. The coin was just a blob when I bought it. I was told by the dealer that he thought it may be an Egyptian Ptolemaic tertadrachm or it could be just be a piece of junk. He said if I was prepared for a total loss, I could clean it in a weak acid. I took the risk. Bingo! Value in 2011? Around $250. I still have it.
U.S. MS60 gold dollar for 30 shillings ($6 U.S.), at a Manchester (England) coin show in 1971. Found out later that it had a value of $50 at the time. Valued at quite a bit more than that now; I still have it.
1923s SLQ in 1985 in VF for AUD $2, from a dealer's junk box in Sydney. He did not know what he was selling, and I did not know what I was buying! I was not into U.S. coins at the time.
My next 'bargain' I am currently working on: I bought 330 enamel badges for $85 at a car show. The clasps on the back have been replaced with thumb tacks Araldited on the backs instead. I admit that I really do not know what I have bought. I will take them to a specialist badge dealer. Perhaps I will face a loss of $85.
Life is a risky adventure!
Edited by sel_69l
09/03/2011 01:35 am
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Replies: 87 / Views: 9,398 |
First Page
Posted 08/30/2011 11:25 pm
