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CA fractionals, how to buy?

logger7logger7 Posts: 8,781 ✭✭✭✭✭

A local shop has a group of uncertified CA fractional gold pieces after sending in others to PCGS that graded high, I suggested they try to auction them through Legend which has helped them before get full market on a collection of high end rarities.

What they have left would probably be categorized as "leftovers".
They weren't sure if they were all genuine.

1880 25c gold jewelry
1865 25c CA gold
1858 25c CA gold
1881 25c CA gold

There were reluctant to let these go not sure how to price them. Are there conditional deals that would be mutually advantageous; ie offer them a reasonable figure with the understanding that if they were worth considerably more give them a piece of that?

Comments

  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 6, 2020 5:20PM

    A deal can be structured in many ways, but it should always be reduced to paper and signed/dated by both parties. What happens if they are worth considerably less? Get them authenticated first, don't mess with coins that might be fakes (and many of these fractional gold pieces are just tourist-souvenir crap).

    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,547 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There's some good information in the PCGS Coin Facts. They give information on each BG variety including rarity and auction results..

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,781 ✭✭✭✭✭

    https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/california-fractional-gold-1852-1882/1659

    I didn't see any rarities in those dates, but the varieties are where that may happen.

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 14,192 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why not get them graded and then agree upon a purchase price?

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • Insider2Insider2 Posts: 14,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @logger7 said:
    A local shop has a group of uncertified CA fractional gold pieces after sending in OTHERS [??] to PCGS that graded high, I suggested they try to auction them through Legend which has helped them before get full market on a collection of high end rarities.

    LOL, these were probably rejected for some reason and now waiting for some "sucker" to come into the shop.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,547 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    Why not get them graded and then agree upon a purchase price?

    I agree but don't waste your money on the one that's an ex-jewelry piece.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,781 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks for the good advice on this potential snafu. The owner said he hadn't researched them priced them yet and it has been many months.

  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,351 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I’d suggest taking some pics and posting them here.

    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Unless you are an expert, and have studied the pieces sufficiently to be confident of authenticity, then stay away until that work is done by experts. Lots of fakes out there in California gold coins....Cheers, RickO

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