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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,654 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
I've been thinking about branching out a bit into more of the classic coins for a while and giving my Lincoln's a break for a few moments. Having been on the search for a new decent coin store in my area and not wanting to start off on a series I knew very little about on ebay I was dragging my feet until I came across an ad on Craigslist. I usually don't put much stock into Craigslist ads for coins because the vast majority are bullion buying a selling or they are poorly photographed and overpriced. But I happened across a gentleman who was selling Barber halves for $11 a piece, Walking Liberty halves for $9 a piece and Mercury dimes for $1.80 a piece. I rang him and chatted for a few minutes and we decided to meet in the play place of a local McDonlads so my kids could play while I checked out his coins. He brought 50 Mercury dimes and since I told him I was a collector he even went so far as to make sure there were no repeat dates or mint marks! The Barber halves were G6 at best so I passed but he had some pretty decent looking Walkers so I picked up 6. Whaddya think? How'd I do? Oh and since he didn't have change he kicked me two extra Mercury dimes!   Is $11 a decent price for G6 Barber halves? He also had Barber quarters for $5.50 and Standing Liberty quarters for $4.50 a piece. Should I go back for more? Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
That is a dollar or so more than a bullion dealer would charge so not to bad - since you got different dates and mint marks. "Times Face" is how silver coins are sold, say you have a roll of half dollars 90% silver so $10.00 x 14 (current average selling price of 90% coins) =$140.00/per roll. The older coins you generally get less silver, as they are worn down, but there can be a collectible side so they cost more. Kennedy, Franklins and later date Walkers are the norm for 90%, in Quarters really worn Standing Liberty and Washington, for Dimes Roosevelt and later dates Mercs. Barber coins will almost always bring a bit more. The prices you paid aren't the best - but not bad at all I'd say for what you got. I'd look to get better grade coins for a ollection though, thats me. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Bedrock of the Community
Canada
10743 Posts |
Good pickup.. I would have bought those Walkers at that price in a heart beat.  Quote:
Should I go back for more? Yes!! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1195 Posts |
 Nice coins, decent price, good score. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
The halves you got are nice average circulated coins and for the money a decent purchase. It seems the guy you bought them from is a fair and honorable person and you might be able do more business with him. Are there any coin clubs where you live? If there is drop in and you can learn a lot from the other members, especially who they trust enough to buy their coins from locally. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
784 Posts |
Yeah I would say honorable for sure. Turns out he also collects license plates and it just so happens I have some old ones so we talked about just trading dollar for dollar coins for plates in the next few weeks.
It's funny because I had all week to think about our meeting and when it got to the day of I realized that morning that I had very little information in my head about any of the series he was bringing (Walkers, Mercs, Barbers, etc...) So I got onto this website and jotted down notes in my iPhone for mintages on specific dates so I knew the keys and semi keys. I also had about half an hour wait for him so while my kids ate their happy meals I studied PCGS photograde on the iPhone too! :)
I feel like I did pretty good identifying some of the cleaned coins he had and passing on them and choosing the right ones. He had about fifteen Walkers and besides the 50 different dated Mercs he had another 50 and he let me sort through those as well. I'm really pleased with how everything turned out and I am overall extremely satisfied with my purchases. I really do think I've fallen in love with these half dollars and fully plan on putting a complete set together right in the F-AU range. I don't know why but I just love how they look when they are a bit worn and used.
Edited by rking007
07/18/2013 12:44 am
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Pillar of the Community
1751 Posts |
Walkers are a great series and you did fine on most of those. I would have held off on the '42, '43 and '46 as they can be had in AU-BU for sub $20, but otherwise, not bad!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1053 Posts |
Good pickup! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3843 Posts |
Sounds like a fair price! I stopped at a local shop today and paid 16.5x face for some Walkers out of their junk bucket. Mine are a little more worn than yours.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
Those are awesome Walkers and I love worn and used too !
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Valued Member
United Arab Emirates
283 Posts |
Yup those are some nice coins
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Pillar of the Community
United States
919 Posts |
Great price on those. Melt is $8.50. Not too many places sell them that little over spot. I check every 90% bin for Walkers that still show the breast plate, full skirt lines and feathers. Just picked up a few in a little better condition for $9.50.
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Valued Member
United States
374 Posts |
Sounds dodgey that the guys is selling coins at a MickyDs, but hey just be careful. Does he have some pocket watches too! Ha ha ha :-) I guess he has low overhead. The prices for the Barbers sound good at $11 and $5.5, if they at least a solid good condition. They are going for more on ebay and I believe the grey sheet has them listed higher. If they are AG or 'culls' , as they say, then I guess it it is over the spot price of silver, and the value to the collected will be lower, unless it is a rare date/ mint mark. I'm thinking they guy bought a lot of silver in bulk at some point. The coins look nice that you got. I can not comment on the price as I have not been looking for the Walker halves. If you did 'overpay' it was not really by much given the price of silver. Plus you got to pick out the dates and conditions! |
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New Member
Philippines
5 Posts |
Those are really nice coins, I can definitely sense some history in it. Its not a coin to admire for its shiny-ness but what it's historical background is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
McDonald's was just a safe place to meet, gotta watch those Craigslisters.
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
919 Posts |
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,654 |
Posted 07/17/2013 06:42 am
