The One That Got Away

Similar story. I used to have an AG3 1846-C half eagle that I cracked out and carried around as a pocket coin. I showed it to a dealer in Raleigh that wanted it very badly. I was nice to him and sold it. And I've regretted it ever since. It is a key date. Who knows what that coin bought down in North Carolina back in the day.

If you find yourself in the midst of a public auction,
Never, ever let your emotions control your bidding.

One way of protecting yourself is to submit written fixed price bids, on the view day, and not even bother to attend the auction. I often submit very low bids expecting to miss out, but occasionally, I get lucky

On more than one occasion, I have re visited the auctioneer to examine passed in lots, and negotiated to buy them post sale.

I think I have been strong enough in the past to control my feelings.
Because of this, I am almost certain that I have missed one or two opportunities of a lifetime.
But looking back on it all, I am very glad that I did.

Nevertheless, I have picked one or two other bargains really cheaply, along the way.

You win some, you loose some. Just shrug your shoulders.


These sorts of strategies become more effective, if you are collecting across the whole range of numismatics. Cherry picking is much easier, with far more opportunities.

Surprisingly enough, the same coin can come up for sale again if you keep your eyes peeled. I've looked up past auction prices for new coins that come up for sale at various auction houses only to find the exact same one that sold 2-5 years ago. Of course, prices are higher when comparing 2015-2019 prices to 2020-2022 prices. If your heart so desires to find that particular coin, you still might have another chance down the road, especially for American coins.

For a lot of people, coin collecting is a buy and sell game.

I have had experiences such as that before. I look back and think "I would certainly pay an additional $20 for that coin." Can't control how the auction will end up, so you just have to move on...

All of them looked much better than that when they were first struck.
Just wait patiently, and some other early classic will show up, to take your numismatic interests in a slightly different direction.

For me, I have put in low bids on such diverse items as
Capped Bust Halves and ancient gold coins. Mostly, I miss out.
The fun quotient is still there.

Not exactly the same auction circumstance, but certainly "one that got away": last year I was bidding on a gorgeous 1832 LM-10.3 capped bust Half Dime in PCGS/CAC AU55. It still happens to be the finest at PCGS for the remarriage, and it's a Rarity 6. It was a sealed bid auction of "extraordinary Half Dimes." I figured it was probably a $4k coin. I padded that with another $1k, and then added a "funny factor." My bid was $5,163. The coin went to someone else - for a hammer of $5,188. Apparently, his funny factor was just $25 higher than mine and he won. Twenty-five bucks constitutes a 0.48% difference - which I would gladly have paid to win the coin.

I still covet that coin, and that's a remarriage that I still need for my set. But I've since met and spent time with the gentleman who bought it and he's a really good guy, so I hold no ill will whatsoever!

Moral of the story for me: when it comes to special coins, "go big or go home!" :-)

this is so true. as you build a set youll have some great buys and some coins you overpaid for. its ok to overpay for one that is special.

the opposite is also true. there will be another great coin that comes along for you to buy. nobody has enough money to buy all the great coins.

To complete this story, I finally got my 1795 half, same grade VF30 and about $2K less, but just kinda 'average', a little too white, not w/ that outer rim toning that I like. Oh well, I'm still working on my 1795 dollar, maybe can find one w/ this same look.