First Major Coin Shop Purchase: How Did I Do?

With the value of those eagles at $480 if sold individually, and the bust half being VF-25 Details IMO, I think you may have lost money..

Touchy subject to tell a newbie that is excited about a purchase that he/she might not have done so good, but, the dealer looks like he came out on top here. The truth as I see it is that you traded a commodity that is easily liquidated (silver eagles) for common problem coins that are not so easily traded unless at a discount. This material, if you took it to another shop today (or even ebay in my opinion), you would loose over half of the monetary value vs. what you traded. Unless there is a piece in there that I'm not familiar with the value (Canadian coins) you may want to be more discriminate with your purchases in the future if you want to retain monetary value. I agree with the VF details grade on the Bust Half. There is value to enjoying something with age and history, so, my opinion is just that. One persons opinion. I hope you take it with the helpful nature in which it is intended. No one is really educated if we all post things like: great pick up, if you like it that's all that counts, or post nothing at all.

from what I see it is difficult to really say how well you did or didn't. By that I mean without dates and mint marks of all coins, I wouldn't even attempt to figure out how you did. For example with Mercury dimes. What are the Mint marks? And too there are those 41/42 and 42D/41 Mercury Diems. Same with what condition were the ones you traded?
As noted dealers much work with a large percentage o profit unless they are just not aware of what they have.

You know you are pretty smart to come back and ask questions because that's how you learn. I've seen people accumulate and accumulate material and before they knew it they had a whole bunch of junk. For a first purchase, it wasn't bad. You diversified and got some new things to learn about like that great bust half. I remember some real stinkers that I purchased but that stuff just educated me for the next purchase. Don't get discouraged with what people are saying and heed their advice.

I'd have to agree with most of the posts here, Wonderful learning experience for us all, I would have kept the eagles but I'm also over the lot you got.



and please stick around, we all might learn something

EDIT: ok so I don't know how to spell ... experience, not experance... lesson learned

+1
Could not agree more. For me the whole point of collecting is acquiring those coins that bring me the most happiness. Personally, I love the trade....

With all due respect to Shnug I recall my newer collector enthusiasm for any and all coins and truly appreciate the excitement of 'discovery'.

That said ... from a financial perspective the trade was likely a loss ... but that is not the method that we should be measuring enjoyment from this great hobby.

Most of us are not in this for financial gain ... and I readily admit that I have on multiple occasions paid well over retail for a tremendous coin that meets my collecting needs.

I'm pleased newcomers to the hobby such as Shnug continue to post here ... and that Shnug continues to gain knowledge from the wise and experienced collectors who make the CCF what it is.

David