Posted 05/16/2019 4:16 pm
If you haven't tried the auctions I suggest you take a look. I am now buying most of my coins at Heritage auctions. The listings have almost all the pricing information one could ask for right there on the listing page, so there is plenty of useful information to help you frame a winning bid. Numerous type coins are available at every auction, and you can almost always buy for under retail, and often below wholesale. Many of the rarest and most expensive coins are also sold by HA, and harder to find coins come up more often than you would think.
HA seems skewed to rhe higher grades. Most of their mint state coins start at MS64 and coins that are scarce in mint state are usually high AU. Other auction houses might be more likely to offer MS63 coins. That said, I have frequently been able to purchase a higher grade coin for just a little bit more than the retail price of the next grade down. For example, earlier this year I got an MS64 1857 Flying Eagle cent for $80 over the retail price of an MS63.
As you know, nice Barber halves are among the most expensive coins for their grades because they are so rare. I too need a Barber Half for my type set, and it could be the most expensive coin I buy. MS65s seem to be running around $1500 at auction against a retail price of $1850 per PCGS Price Guide. Many ebay sellers are listing them for over $2000.
If you are looking for a CAC approved Barber half, you are going to pay a premium above retail for it, even at auction.
I have found a lot of nice fairly priced coins on ebay from sellers I would not hesitate to do business with again. Many seem to be full time dealers, and very professional. I have also been astounded by some grossly overpriced listings that in no way merit a premium. As a type collector not worried about a specific date, you'll be successful just shopping around.
HA seems skewed to rhe higher grades. Most of their mint state coins start at MS64 and coins that are scarce in mint state are usually high AU. Other auction houses might be more likely to offer MS63 coins. That said, I have frequently been able to purchase a higher grade coin for just a little bit more than the retail price of the next grade down. For example, earlier this year I got an MS64 1857 Flying Eagle cent for $80 over the retail price of an MS63.
As you know, nice Barber halves are among the most expensive coins for their grades because they are so rare. I too need a Barber Half for my type set, and it could be the most expensive coin I buy. MS65s seem to be running around $1500 at auction against a retail price of $1850 per PCGS Price Guide. Many ebay sellers are listing them for over $2000.
If you are looking for a CAC approved Barber half, you are going to pay a premium above retail for it, even at auction.
I have found a lot of nice fairly priced coins on ebay from sellers I would not hesitate to do business with again. Many seem to be full time dealers, and very professional. I have also been astounded by some grossly overpriced listings that in no way merit a premium. As a type collector not worried about a specific date, you'll be successful just shopping around.
With all who say in most cases an AU-58 has good potential to be better looking then MS-60-63 and with better eye appeal . This seems to be the norm for all types of coins . 
