First Coin Purchases

Another purchase, got a good deal imo. under $2 each. :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14112935901....m1439.l2649
almost makes up for some deals I was watching on thanksgiving up until like 1 1/2 hours before they ended that got away because of thanksgiving dinner and the family distracting me after dinner.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/13105627881....m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/14112516818....m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/13105627739....m1438.l2649
oh well, I'm sure i'll find some nice deals in the future to take advantage of.

While these dimes may be small fry to me your enthusiasm is something that I find priceless.
This series is my specialty and my focus. But I have never forgotten the humble background
which gave me the initial interest.
I'd be able to help you if you decide this is a series that interests you.
For the time being, I'd suggest you just study the appearance of these dimes. Lie them all in a line or two and take a good, close look. I'll bet some look better to you than others.
This training for your eyes is well worth the $$$ you paid for them.
And will make you a more discerning buyer in the future.
Go to the Barber Link is my signature if you have not already done so. Lots of research material there and free.

congrats... it only gets more addictive.

Thanks for the advice and compliments.
Mathew, I've been studying them and online pics a lot the last few days and as you predicted I've become a more discerning buyer. I've started passing up g4ish coins that don't have decent looking rims and those with ugly corrosion/pitting/other damage now at full retail prices.
in other news, I missed a few decent coins yesterday I was hoping id win. the 1913 s being very painful for me as I really wanted it at that price as I was really hoping to knock out a semi-key or two this paycheck. I would of went up to 15 but it got sniped with like 5 seconds before the end so I didn't have enough time to get to the page and make the bid.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/35094044287....m1435.l2649
sure it's got awful rims but for this one I was willing to overlook that.
this one went over what I was willing to pay right at the very end.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1893-O-Barb...p=true&rt=nc
it would of been very nice to knock that one out too. but oh well, who knows? maybe the money I would of spent on them will end up going for an even better deal. I sure hope so.

hi all, hope you are well. I think I did pretty good on this newest purchase of mine. I do have this weird beginners voice in the back of my head that maybe I didn't do as well as I thought though still so I was wondering what you guys think. I would of preferred someone not making me go up to my max bid amount and getting it for $25 but oh well. I can cross 3 more off of my list and 3 are all pretty nice upgrades(the 1911 is polished so I don't consider it much of an upgrade however I don't mind having it as I can now study a polished coin in hand and continue my education) so I don't mind that 4 of them happened to be duplicates of coins I already have. thanks for everything guys. :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-Barber-Di...p=true&rt=nc

I'm thinking you overpaid for the 7 in the first link.

So what's up with all these barbers? I'm glad the barber flea left me and went on you, lol.
I only ended up with like 30 Barber dimes.

I woke up to a message from Justin asking me to return to this topic to check out his recent purchases.

Let's compare the 1913-S (not won) and the 1914-S (won.)



Sure, the 13 is scare, but not in this condition. It starts to become harder above the very good range. The 14 is not at all unpleasing. So, when grading for yourself this visual aid is useful.

As for the 7 dimes. I don't think that you overpaid at all. Take another look at the reverses.
All seven have split knots in the bow and all show corn kernels. I look for these two areas. So should you.
Using the 1915 as an examples, the areas highlighted are where to look.
The veins on the leaves and nicely defined wheat grains are
also what I look for. That, and the overall three-dimensionality of this coin make it my favorite.



The 1893-O was no great loss.

I just knew that you had the eyes for this series and with a few directions you have blossomed. As for the Barber flea, it is a delightful itch to scratch.

And oh, the 1911 polished, in hand, as an example of what to look for? I would have suggested that but you beat me to it!
Call upon me anytime and I'll teach you what little I know.