Found 1911-D $2.5 Gold Indian Strong D PCGS AU Details

If you have $2k to spend on a single coin, why waste it on a details-graded example where you likely won't get your money back if you go to resell it? I'd save up and buy a problem-free example. Your wallet might hurt a bit more now, but it will thank you later and you might actually make money on the deal if you sell it some day.

If I were spending serious money on a coin I would buy it problem free, graded and slabbed. If I were buying from someone I know and have had dealings with I might buy it raw, but I would be nervous about that because unless you are really good at grading coins you can lose. I just don't believe under most situations you get a $2000 coin for half that unless there is something wrong with the coin.

If you like it buy it, just be realistic. For instance when you say the lowest you found for the exact same grade on ebay was $2500, was that for a details coin? If not they are not comparable. If you are buying an AU details coin at a price that other comparable details coins are selling for then you are ok in terms of reselling it.

put in a bid where you feel safe. it's a tough and valuable coin that although details has enough demand to get interest if you wanted to resell it. and in an auction setting like this it will only sell for what it's worth.

The posted Suggestions are very good advice, as far as buying problem free coins.

I feel I have to mention the other side of the coin ..

There are some collectors that want to put together sets.
Many times filling the empty holes come first over quality.

Many times income or available funds weighs on desisions on
what coins to buy.

I happen to be putting together a set of $2.50 Indians. One of my
empty holes is the 1911 D. For me, it I had the chance to fill that hole
with a AU Details coin, that did not look bad, I would would be very
interested ... if the price was right.

For me .. having the set complete is important. It would be a set that,
most likely I would never sell. If I filled it with a coin that I paid $1250
or less ... and I was happy with the coin ... than I achieved my goal.
If I did it by spending $1250 or less instead of $2500 .. or more,
then I saved money.

I would be the last member to suggest which way to proceed with this coin because I know nothing about Gold coins .
But if it were me , I would wait until a NO PROBLEM example came along . In the mean time save up another thousand .
I know the 55,680 mintage is exciting ,probably less than that even exists today . but again think about the future with that Details Cleaned Coin .

At $1,600 with 5 hours to go, I think it's already getting too rich.

I finally took a look at the listing. If that photo is accurate then the cleaning isn't too bad and there is a chance if you cracked it and resubmitted it might get a problem free grading. Again, that is based solely off the photos provided.

On the other hand, I was looking for a quarter eagle for my type set at a couple shows. Twice I saw raw ones that looked nice in the flip until I tilted it to just the right angle and wipe marks that were basically invisible suddenly jumped out clear as day. What I'm trying to say is this coin could have very obvious wipe marks when you look at it in hand that you simply can't see in the images.