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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,775 |
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Valued Member
Canada
55 Posts |
Hello folks. I am a newbie ( https://goccf.com/t/134917) and here is my first, of what I am assuming will be many, question. I have been searching all over the internet, reading, looking at past auctions trying to get a grasp on what this collection I have is worth. I am beginning to grasp grading. A nicer/higher graded coin will generally bring more money, but it is things like this that I just don't understand. Here is two auctions from HA.com Both of them are for a 1953 Canadian dime no shoulder strap on the Queen. http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...&lotNo=60129http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleN...&lotNo=50766The first one sells for $22 and in my complete newbie eyes is a very sharp looking coin. The second one seems to have problems, doesn't look half as nice and goes for $322. Now, I have a number of these coins, and in my opinion none of them are anywhere near the quality of that first $22 coin. Mine are in rougher shape, just like that second coin. My grandfather who collected all these coins ran the liquor store in a small town and a lot of his coins came from his change drawer. So that being said, how do I know which coins are those "magic" ones that people seem to really want? I get the feeling that I am in WAY over my head and that without putting in 25 years learning about coins I am going to have no idea what I actually have here. Thanks for reading my rambling post, Chewy Edited by chewy_27
11/28/2012 5:23 pm
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Valued Member
Canada
331 Posts |
The more expensive of these two coins is a specimen strike, of which there were considerably fewer minted. This probably accounts for the large price difference.
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Valued Member
Canada
331 Posts |
Oh, and  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1554 Posts |
Mr. Chewy, the first coin is a Minstate (MS) and the other is a Specimen. (SP) There were few specimen sets minted in 1953 and if you look at page 131 of the 2012 Charlton Cat (I don't have the latest, sorry 2013)it states that the Specimen strike is valued between $200-$400.00 in that grade. Personally I don't collect Specimen coins, however, there is a demand for them by Collectors as a result of their lower Mintages. Glenn  |
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Moderator
 Canada
10458 Posts |
You have to be careful without seeing the coin in hand... both NGC and PCGS do not always get it right with early specimen coins....
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
Edited by SPP-Ottawa
11/28/2012 6:49 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
933 Posts |
The eye appeal for that SP65 is horrible lol. Maybe the buyer saw something I didnt...
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
686 Posts |
SPP - I'd have to add that ICCS doesn't always get it right either ;). Unfortunately, it's been at my expense too.
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Moderator
Canada
10458 Posts |
I agree - I have a 1951 Specimen cent, inside an old ICCS flip stating it is a proof-like cent.... I bought it, knowing it was an ICCS screw-up, to prove a point. Even Brian admitted that it was a specimen coin afterwards.
The moral of that story is if you collect early proof-like and specimen strikes, get to know your series really well (and how to identify them correctly) - comes down to studying the coin, and not the holder.
"Discovery follows discovery, each both raising and answering questions, each ending a long search, and each providing the new instruments for a new search." -- J. Robert OppenheimerContent of this post is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses...0/deed.en_USMy eBay store
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Valued Member
 Canada
55 Posts |
Thank you all for all your feedback. At least it seems to make a bit more sense to me. So much to learn, I certain am feeling like I am in WAY over my head.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2366 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
157 Posts |
This forum is chalk full of great people who know their coins/paper...just keep reading and learn...be a human sponge and soak up the experience they have to offer.  Edited: spelling error Edited by aarf
12/03/2012 8:45 pm
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,775 |
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Posted 11/28/2012 5:36 pm
