Deal Or No Deal? 1872 Two-Cent Piece

RedBook 2011 says 675 for that (VF 20) so Id say no-- but its your money

Price is on the high range of retail. On the plus side, you got a certified no-problem example with nice color, in a PCGS holder. However, Heritage has sold 4 PCGS-certified coins in VF-30 and VF-35 in 2011, at prices ranging from $748 to $836 (including buyer's fee, not including shipping). Looks like for what you spent you could with patience have gotten a coin 10 or 15 points higher on the grading scale.

If you are willing to wait perhaps you should return your coin. With cash in hand you can monitor the Heritage auctions, ready to pounce on a better coin.

Wow. Thanks for all your feedback guys. Looks like I need to do a little more homework in the future. Oh...The gray sheet shows a bid of $730 and ask of $805, but that's for the VF category. It doesn't break it down to the numbers (VF20, 30, etc.). So should I assume the gray sheet prices are for the high end of the category?

You do have to keep in mind, that this being a key date, with very low mintasge and few surviving pieces, that you just may have to "buck up" and pay close to or even above retail. This coin appreciates in value so it's a good investment piece.

Price guide magazines, the gray sheet are not always up to date with the actual market for some series and or certain key dates within a series. Morgan dollars recently tend to be a bit on the high side on the gray sheet but the Barber coins and other type coins in high grades are trading wholesale well above the price guides so expect to pay more than published prices. If you search the internet you may find a VF20 for less but probably not by much. You paid a fair current market price for the coin which is problem free so you have nothing to be too concerned about as far as overpaying.

Ed
ANA LM-3175

Did you get a deal?
Well if you paid what you could afford and are happy with the coin then yes.
Could you have found it cheaper. Maybe with a lot of patience.
Keep in mind they were extremely low mintage and an unknown number where returned to the mint for melting.
Considering the rarity the only thing keeping the prices down are the lack of collector base. That too is changing more and more people are collecting this series and nicer coins are harder and harder to find.

IMHO, this coin is a tough one to sell because the WE in the motto appears gone. To spend top dollar on this date, most collectors will want a full motto. Otherwise, a motto-less VG-Fine coin could likely be had for half of the $800 tag.