Advice on selling a nice 1895 Barber Dime
Salopbaggie
Posts: 5 ✭
Hi I am after a bit of advice I am looking to sell a 1895 Barber Dime, but I am in the UK so the demand here is not as big as the USA. So I was wondering if there are any specific sites where coins are sold or is it just e-bay. Also, all I know about grading is what I have read online and then it seems a little subjective. Is it worth sending it over for an official grading and what would people on here think the grade would be.
Many Thanks
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You can sell your coin here in this forum. If you have questions about a U.S. coin you are better off posting it in the U.S. coin forum on this site. My opinion on the grade of your coin is XF details. It looks like it was cleaned at some point. I would guess your coin being cleaned is worth $280-$350.
I agree with FHC in that your coin can be sold here, and it appears to be an EF details, cleaned. Try taking a picture in natural light (without a flash or harsh direct lighting) and post those pictures here or in the US Coin Forum. It may be the lighting that makes it appear cleaned.
You might have to work something out with a buyer here if you get a bite, as we don't know you yet, but there are enough collectors that have album coins, you very well might get a hit here. That's not an easy to find coin.
Not really sure on the price, but if it's cleaned I think what FHC said is not unreasonable to consider. Probably half again as much if it would straight grade.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Thank you both so much for your replies, I am sorry if I posted in the wrong place I just thought the Buy, Sell, & Trade - U.S. Coins would be the one. Can I just clarify, if I wish to look to selling it on here which thread I would post it to, I have also included below two photo's shot on the window ledge in natural light with the light coming from the top of the images, are these better? I fully understand the trust issues and the need to come to an agreement with a potential buyer, after being in the antique jewellery trade for over 40 years, trust is a huge consideration and I fully understand no one knows me from Adam. To be honest that was why I was looking for a specialised site, as the people on them tend to be more serious than those on the likes of e-Bay. Pursuitofliberty sorry what is a 'straight grade'. I know very little about coins, so am unsure if it has been cleaned or not, it came in as part of a parcel of items. I can say that it does have some residue in some of the raised portions such as the inside of letters, which does not look like it is supposed to be there, which I think you can see in some of the microscope pictures.
@Salopbaggie welcome to the forums!
You are in the correct place if you wish to sell your coin.
Straight grade means the coin has no problems (such as cleaning, and damage) when you send it into grading.
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Wow! What a difference a new picture makes - the coin definitely won't straight grade - it looks like there is a large staple scratch on the obverse and it also appears cleaned. However, it is a nice coin with very strong AU details. I would pay $300 for it. To the right retail buyer, you may be able to get $500. Hope this helps.
One other thing, don't try and clean it or remove 'stuff'. You would likely destroy much of the value.
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MUCH better picture @Salopbaggie
As I suspected, not as bad as it first seemed. I would call that "EF45 details, lightly cleaned, still some underlying color" and if selling, I would expect to get about somewhere between wholesale and retail VF30 money for it. Pictures can be deceiving but that one looks like it was soap and watered, which most consider a "mild" cleaning.
And even though the coin still looks boinked with, it really isn't a bad looking coin. As @dan_marinelli said, don't do anything else to it. @jclovescoins put in an offer, and it's a decent one. I'm not sure you could get all the way to his "may be able to" price, but it could be worth trying.
If you don't take him up on his offer, use those last pictures and put it on another thread here with a price ... or put it up on the 'bay and link it back here to the people who might be interested.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Hi All, Mods please remove this if it is not allowed. I though I would just inform you all that I have put the coin above up for sale with an auctioneer, as they can take the photos properly, describe it as required and both sides know any transactions will be without any problems. as you were so helpful before, I thought it polite to let you all know just in case anyone has any interest. It is going to be offered by Fellows Auctioneers from their London office on one of their online auctions, with what they describe as 'a very tempting' starting point. The sale is the Monies, Medals & Militaria auction 25/04/24. I will let you know more nearer the time if people wish to know lot numbers and the like. Thanks for all your help.
Why rush?
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Too bad about the color, dipped etc . It has a great strike and nice rims and is a cool coin. put it in a yellow sulful 2X2 and save it for a few years. It's gonna all work for you. Best of luck michael
For your information, I have purchased coins from the UK using the buy, sell, trade portion of this forum and had no problems. Use PayPal for payment. So it is possible. Maybe next time.
The auction for this coin is now live and as promised here are the details. It is lot 145 in the following auction:
https://www.fellows.co.uk/Monies-Medals-Militaria/2024-04-25 (page 8)
It will be live from now until 25th April 24 and not that I think it will be very useful to many on here viewing is available at Fellows London UK saleroom on Thursday 18th April 11am - 5pm and at their Birmingham, UK saleroom on Wednesday 24th April 10am - 4pm. Shipping worldwide is FREE on this coin.
The catalogue description is: United States of America AR 1 'Barber' Dime. Philadelphia mint, 1895. Engravers: Charles Edward Barber & Christian Gobrecht. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, laureate head of Liberty to right, incuse B (engraver) on truncation, 1895 below / ONE DIME, within grain wreath. KM 113. 2.51g, 18mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. A high grade example of this highly collectable type.
If you decide to have a go for it, good luck, if not thanks for looking and the previous advice.