Draped Bust - VG08 Or Cleaned VF?

That is a hard question. With many factors.

There are are cleaned VF that look much better than some problem
free VG coins. There are also some very nice looking VG coins.

If I was buying a cleaned VF that had good eye appeal .. maybe one
with a old cleaning that was starting to tone, that I could get at a good
price ..good price being VG or low Fine price ... I would be open to that.

Also ... are you ever planning to re-sell the coin .. or upgrade.
Buying a problem coin can be harder to sell.

Then consider, most collectors can not re-sell a problem free coin for
what they paid for it.

I would suggest keep watching .. auctions .. ebay sold auctions ..
Track the coins that are in your price range ...when you see some
..in you price range that you would be happy with ... then look for
similar coin in a active auction ... or coin shows ... you can always make
offers at coin shows or LCS.

If you can settle for a 1799, which are easy to get, you can just about get into a VF-20-25 Bust Dollar in PCGS or NGC with no problems.

You have to have patience to get into one like that at the $1200 mark, but it it can be done fairly close to your budget.

Once you have it, don't take it out of the slab.

Take good photos, cut them out, put THOSE in your album, and keep your juicy goody in the safe or safe deposit box.

I so appreciate the responses
@BH...thanks! I am hopeful you are correct.

@GR58 No, I never "plan" on selling my coins unless an unforeseen emergency came up and I had no choice. My plan is to leave them to my son. As far as upgrades I have never done that either. Once I buy a coin and fill the slot it stays there forever. There are a LOT of them I would like to as they are very low grade coins but I tend to move on to the next album instead of upgrading. With very few exceptions I could not sell my coins for what I paid for them so I don't worry about that. I just keep them and don't worry about it. Thanks for the advise!

@moxking Since this is an "1800's" type set the 1799 even tho priced better would not fit with the rest of them. I am pretty much limited to the 1800 or the 1803 as my two choices. Thanks for the advise on keeping it in the slab but since all the rest will be raw I am leaning toward breaking it out.
I have a couple of others in my collection that in order to be sold once my son gets them....he will need to send in so what is one more. Most of the gold coins in my 7070 are raw including a one ounce gold coin.

And thanks as always Coinfrog!

Just as an example these two are in my watch list now.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23213058666...RK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12221346968...RK:MEBIDX:IT

I wish I could see that VF details Coin in hand ...

But I would be leaning towards that one .. or one like it.
I am also thinking it will go for more than current bid.

It will be fun to watch how the bidding goes on that auction.

It might look more cleaned in hand .. than it does in pictures.

I kinda like the details one also Dean. Thanks for the opinion.

@Coinfrog. Thanks and I understand your headstratch. No, son doesn't have an opinion. We went to a lot of coin shows together as he was growing up but now at 28 his interest in pretty much just limited to "shiny". Silver, gold and silver proof coins are about it. So most all my albums will just go by the way side and be just sold.

And Yes...I do like to have some "conformity to my collection" and to be honest there are few coins in it that are even worth being in a slab. It has only been in the last 5 years or so I have been able to buy a few "nicer" coins so slabs are new "to me". Perhaps I will keep it slabbed if I buy a straight grade and crack it if I buy a details coin.

Still looking.
This popped up in my latest ebay window shopping draped bust dollars in my price range:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1800-1-NGC-...AOSwX~dWkdRX

Thanks coinfrog!

I fixed it. Too many coins in my watch list.