| Author |
 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,813 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1300 Posts |
So I went to the Houston money show yesterday, and I've got the bug for a early US silver dollar. The 1799 I was looking at was slabbed VF and offered for $2,600. I'm wondering if I can find one for less, for this is a lot of money. I also looked a couple of double eagles for just over melt, one being a well worn 1852. I don't own either, but I can almost get two double eagles for the price of a early silver dollar.
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Collect what your wallet or wife allows you to collect - but not in that order  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
Just my opinion of course. The idea of buying a nice 1799 dollar would make me forget about a double eagle. Getting two for one doesn't even enter into the equation for me. That's a dream coin in my world.
Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith Edited by cipster
01/20/2019 6:34 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
Ditto on what Mark said  . But if it's toss up between 2 coin types, do some homework on both. Learn the history of both and pick the coin type that's design and history you find the most intriguing. I started out with the intention of completing an early dollar set but quickly changed course after learning more about those mysterious Seated dollars. Specifically, how little is really known about them, why they have such low survival rates and the unique beauty of their design. |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
1559 Posts |
If your budget allows, go for what grabs you! Both types that you mention here are far beyond my budget.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Circulated Liberty $20s are far more common than early US silver dollars.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4691 Posts |
I agree with Mr. Frog. You can buy circulated double eagles all day, any day. Nice mid-grade early dollars are tougher to find, especially in no problem TPG holders. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
I look at those early dollars and always lose interest before pulling the trigger. Same thing with the 1795 half. It'd be sort of great to have one, but something more interesting always shows up and I forget about them.
I had a nice VF 1803 half for a while, but lost interest in it and swapped it for a common half eagle a few months ago. I'd eventually swap an early dollar the same way. They're not all that rare.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
I am a fan of gold coins, (ref. my avatar), but wisdom has long since infiltrated my thinking.
Gold is really just another coinage metal.
What way do you think? Would you be rather thought of as numistmatist, or a collector of gold coins?
"All that glisters is not gold" - Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
For sure most of the early dollars are not rare, but they are spectacular as a type coins. Indeed, for silver issues, I would say they are among the top 5 type coins in the entire US series. Oh boy, look out.  Edited by Coinfrog
01/20/2019 7:43 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
The flowing hair coins are spectacular and priced to match.The busts are sort of spectacular. I like seateds better than the busts, and accumulate them. The only busts that grab my attention are the clashed halves 1811-1815.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
|
|
Pillar of the Community
5464 Posts |
I don't know much about either of them. I guess basically, I haven't paid much attention to them over the years because they are way beyond my budget as well. It probably wouldn't be the best financial move but I would go with the Double Eagle. It's just eye appeal for me. Just thought it is one of our most beautiful coins.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3479 Posts |
Quote:
The flowing hair coins are spectacular and priced to match.The busts are sort of spectacular. I like seateds better than the busts, and accumulate them. Agreed! My first purchase was a flowing hair dollar and I still have it but I pull out my Seated dollars far more frequently than the flowing hair if that says anything. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
But what you can afford and realllllllllly want.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3342 Posts |
sel, I have an 1854-S eagle in my hand that I bought for $100 over spot. Natural wear F12, with a rim nick that would probably get it a conditions grade. It's as numismatic as any conditions grade 1795 flowing hair half at 2x the price, and far rarer.
It appeals to me for many reasons. Hard to find, good flipper, good value, first year SF mint at the peak of the gold rush. Most of all it's the gravitas in my hand. A silver half is bigger in size but noticeably lightweight in comparison. Gold is different from the other metals bcause of this. It's compact wealth, and has been for 5000 years.
I don't care for the larger double eagles. They're too big to carry in a pocket, and carry too much value to function as everyday money. They were meant to be moved in sacks straight from the mints to Europe.
"Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
Edited by thq
01/21/2019 12:16 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4691 Posts |
Note: I noticed that there is a 1799 PCGS VF-20 on ebay under $2,000 if the OP is interested. |
| |
Replies: 21 / Views: 2,813 |
Posted 01/20/2019 5:31 pm
