San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Half Dollar Should I Bite?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 2,622
Americanamafia Pillar of the Community United States 672 Posts	Posted 11/03/2010 4:18 pm I have a chance to pick this up for around 100$. I grade it as XF-AU. I just wanted to get a second opinion before I bit to make sure I was not doing something stupid. Edited by Americanamafia 11/03/2010 4:20 pm Report this Post to the Staff

ACE Mike Valued Member United States 438 Posts	Posted 11/03/2010 4:34 pm That's a good price. EF Greysheet bid is $115, so you are getting a good deal. Report this Post to the Staff
Americanamafia Pillar of the Community United States 672 Posts	Posted 11/03/2010 4:35 pm So you think it looks good, not a knock off or anything? I think it looks good I am just nervous because this will be the most I have spent on a coin yet. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15450 Posts	Posted 11/03/2010 8:20 pm It appears to be genuine from here. Looks to me to be a late die-state coin (smearing of the four stars on the obverse). I wonder what the 'dot' is on the obverse at the Grizzly right knee below the designers initials? I agree with the XF-45/AU-50 grade estimate based on those limited resolution photos. At $100 you have a fair deal for a circulated classic commemorative ..... no worries there I say. I do suggest however that you are leaving yourself short of the best value for this particular coin. In that spirit ..... I would like for you to consider the concept that Q. David Bowers calls 'optimal collecting grade' (OCG). Your selection of this coin in this grade makes for a great learning opportunity. In my own words ..... the "OCG" is the technical grade where the next step up in grade results in a significant (doubling plus) of market price. Soooo ..... lets use this 1936-S Bay Bridge as an example ..... hope you follow me here with Greysheet (CDN) wholesale 'Bid' prices ... observe the price increase from grade to grade .... XF ..... $115 AU ..... $120 MS60 ... $125 MS63 ... $130 MS64 ... $145 MS65 ... $290 Soooo .... can you see the OCG for this coin? MS64 of course. I am NOT trying to discourage you from buying this lovely example ..... just want you to expand your thinking to consider all the possibilities. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 11/04/2010 02:16 am You certainly won't loose with this coin at this price. I paid more for mine in a Sydney auction, and I am happy. I agree with the idea of 'OCG', but that is not the coin offered here. Does he go for the MS64 at the right price (could be significantly different from $145 if offered), or go for the coin currently available. Report this Post to the Staff
Americanamafia Pillar of the Community United States 672 Posts	Posted 11/04/2010 07:42 am Quote: I wonder what the 'dot' is on the obverse at the Grizzly right knee below the designers initials? This is the only thing that worries me about it. I just want to make sure it is real. Report this Post to the Staff
Bryan1315 Bedrock of the Community United States 14454 Posts	Posted 11/04/2010 08:51 am I have never heard the term OCG but I did use that thinking when I started collecting Morgans. I looked at all the price guides and saw MS-65 graded Morgans in most dates doubled and sometimes tippled in price but there were little difference between 63 and 64 so I wanted to collect a whole set in 64 because I felt that grade had the best chance of gaining value Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15450 Posts	Posted 11/04/2010 9:09 pm I've offered my opinion (above) that this coin is genuine based on what I can see through the low resolution photos. And ... Yes .... the 'dot at the knee' did stand out a bit to me. But that could be nothing at all and in no way am I trying to imply it is a sign of problems. Best bet is always to examine the coin in hand. Are you able to do so with this one? Fake coins are quite obvious once you know the diagnostics .... I offer an apology if needed for my description of the OCG for this coin ...... my intent was to educate and expand your potential thinking ...... I also recognize that many of us do not care for OCG ..... and for $100 this lovely coin is a fair deal that many would be proud to own. Best advise I can offer here ...... satisfy yourself you have a genuine coin at a fair price .... then go for it. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Americanamafia Pillar of the Community United States 672 Posts	Posted 11/05/2010 4:33 pm I ended up passing on this one but I really do apprecieate everyones comments. I learned much more than I would of hoped otherwise. I ended up passing on this one as it ended up getting to expensive for the grade. Thankds all! Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 2,622

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