Finally Got My 1826 Bust Half, please Grade It!

Don't return it because you want something else, that's just buyer's remorse and you have to live with it sometimes. You'll be losing money on the return shipping anyway. Only return if the photos were deceptive or the coin isn't the one you actually purchased.

To avoid this situation in the future, take some time off from actually buying coins and just read, read, read. Familiarize yourself with the hobby and what options you have as far as collecting goals go. Then, when you're ready to start on a goal, go for it. A focused collection (doing a 7070 style type set is a good start, or picking a series to work on that's within your price range) is going to be far more impressive than a random scattershot collection of whatever you feel like buying. Having said that, ignore what I said and do what you want, but just make sure you educate yourself on what you're buying and don't let yourself get too excited and make rash purchases, especially if you're not in a financial position to deal with potential repercussions (such as the aforementioned buyer's remorse that it sounds like you're having).

Very nice coin in my opinion

It doesn't look that bad in the picture, but the bust's cheek is really messed up. It's a big chunk taken out of her cheek. Anyway's I've decided I'm better off with the Lafayette half dollar. This one is at a reasonable price and looks ok. Tell me what you think.

as I said in the other thread, I don't like the look of that Dollar at all and the fact its coming from China just adds to my dislike of it

I know the guy is in china, but he has 100% feedback! He is also one of those top sellers that ebay gives out. Not all sellers from china are cheap knock offs...

If you do end up returning it, don't buy another coin right away. Use that money to buy a Red Book (if you don't already). Do some reading, figure out what you really like (look at the pictures until you absolutely HAVE to have something). Then buy a book on that specific series. Learn everything you can, and learn how to grade (beginners really have no clue on how to grade raw coins, I know I didn't). Then you can consider yourself ready to make $100 purchases.

Hey--I think you got some cool coins at such an early point in your collection! I started collecting around that age myself--and I didn't get bust halves until my senior year of high school! I actually like that half for the money you paid.

I remember my enthusiasm for the coins I bought would sometimes wane and I would have my sights set on something else very quickly, but I had to learn to be patient and more selective with the coins I bought in the first place. I reminded myself why I bought each coin. I bought an 1889-CC Morgan dollar because I liked the contrast between the dark fields and light relief. I did NOT buy an 1879 Quarter Eagle because a dent on her chin made her look like a dimple chin and I knew it would always distract me. The small things matter! I liked the blue ring of toning on my Half Dime. Find something you like about each individual coin you buy. Make it YOUR collection.

I am sorry if I sound preachy. I just want you to enjoy this amazing hobby to its fullest potential.