Bid on an auction coin with only a description, no images and...
ElmerFusterpuck
Posts: 4,627 ✭✭✭✭✭
I am very happy with this new addition! The low mintage 1885 Seated half is one of the tougher later dates, this one grades XF-40.
The coin came from Alaska Rare Coins, based in Fairbanks. I actually visited their shop back in 2018 and found it to be top shelf place for coins. Knowing that, I took the chance based on the description of the coin, which turned out to be spot on.
"Seated Liberty Half Dollar, 1885, PCGS XF-40. A rare date in the series with only 5,200 struck!
Philadelphia mintages of half dollars from 1879 to 1890 were incredibly low with no branch mint
production. A problem free example with medium gray toning and light contrast on the raised
devices."
Their auctions are run twice a year, definitely worthy to check out!
Edited to add: I paid $750 for this coin.
10-4,
Erik
My registry sets
Comments
Pretty nice looking coin. Good buy hopefully.
JACKPOT! At least it was graded by PCGS so not a complete shot in the dark. Prior to TPG and even for a long time after most of the coins sold at auction by the major auction houses had descriptions only, I know that for a fact, I have plenty of them that I purchased back in the day.
Looks like you did well. I like it a lot.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
That is a great acquisition. Good to hear about a source with accurate descriptions, although no picture. Cheers, RickO
thats a nice example
Kinda like the old days! Nice pickup!!
“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
Anyone here remember Teletrade before computers were household items? All you had to go on was a written description of the coin.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Nice!
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Outstanding purchase!! Coin has a perfect xf look to it
Very nice. Off to Far Hills NJ with it!
Nice coin.
Reminds me of the earlier days of Ebay when pictures were not required and not all that common. I sold a few raw Indian Head cents in AU/Unc condition based on text description alone. Luckily some buyers took a shot and they were all very happy (I had described them as XF+).
I remember when I 1st started selling on ebay I had no pictures. My 1st coin pictures set up cost around $700.00 and my increase in sales paid for it the 1st week!
I used to get a lot of Teletrade coins by bidding on the phone using the descriptions with no pictures from their catalogs. I got a few dogs of course but to ne honest i got a lot of nice coins. Maybe i was lucky!
That's wholesome with a lot of meat!
Nice acquisition and VERY scarce.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I like it. Bravo!
Congrats! Nice coin and spot on description by Alaska Rare Coins!
I'll have to visit the next time I'm in Fairbanks!
Real nice!
Alaska rare coins is the only gig in town, next nearest is anchorage. They have been great to work with and their auctions bring out some interesting stuff.
I have dealt with Alaska Rare Coins several times via the internet. No problems ever.
I remember Teletrade. Sold lots of stuff there in the early 90s.
Why don’t they have pictures in their auctions? Maybe I’m missing something but it’s almost 2021.
Gutsy move, but paid off well. Thanks for sharing a beautiful Liberty Seated Half Dollar.
Jm
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
I'm not exactly sure on that, but I'm betting they'd get even more bites on some of their items since they have some of everything in their auctions, raw and slabbed. It definitely helped me get that 1885 for somewhat less than what has been won in other auctions. Now I need to wait for an 1881, 1886 or 1887 that looks like my 1885!
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
It’s good for you, less competition. I wouldn’t bid on a coin without an image and I have a very high level of risk and lots of gamble in me. I noticed they have a very primitive website.
It’s a two man shop. The last auction had nearly 400 items in it, that’s a lot to write up let alone photograph and potentially put on a website. Us Fairbanksans need one thing that makes being in person to view an advantage 😁