1861 Half Dime, Grade And Value?

Not as clear cut here and again a cleaned XF is the way I'd value it. $25 is the most I'd consider paying if I wanted it.

The coin appears to be cleaned with EF sharpness. This is a coin that you can get with a straight grade for not that much more money ($10 to $25). For that reason I'd pass.

Even if some of your coins are "details grade" because of cleaning or other issues, it doesn't hurt to buy no problem coins when you can afford to do so.

Agree, pass.

EF-40 Details.

It all depends upon what you are paying for the whole deal. The 1834 Half Dime is no prize. I would not go out of my way to buy that one, because it has had the same treatment as the 1861. It just looks a little better.

If you were willing to spring $200 for the Capped Bust Half Dime type, you could get a pretty nice piece, especially if you are picky. When you are a type collector and need only ONE COIN of each design, you should be picky. When you are collecting a date and mint set, sometimes you have to compromise because some coins just don't come nice.

It takes time and money to get the right coins. You can do things pretty fast if you want to, but you might regret it later.

I have a really small budget, so I was planning on buying the pair for $50 and selling the 1861 at my coin club for $15-25. I already have an 1861 in better condition that I bought for $30.