Ebay 1797 Small Eagle Dime - How much would you be willing to pay?

Omegaraptor

So everyone likes Flowing Hair and Draped Bust silver, right? Well in light of a few recent threads posted by @BUFFNIXX - let's see just how much.

Here are the seller pics of this 1797 dime, which unfortunately are not very clear, but it's what we have to work with, and I think you get the general idea. The coin is excessively worn, possibly bent, and has a small hole. It can be discerned that it is indeed a Small Eagle dime, however it came back from NGC "not suitable for certification". I hope the seller does not get the wrong idea if he or she does find this thread, I am just curious as to how collectors here would respond to this coin that has barely survived the last 225 years.

How much, if this coin was offered to you, would you be a buyer at? Likewise, how much would you ask for if you were trying to sell? Would you take it for $400? $300? $200? $100? $50? Would you refuse to take it even for free? Keep in mind problem-free FR02s tend to sell for around $800-1000. Let's see what this crowd thinks.

SlickCoins

Zero & I probably wouldn't even take it if it was free, ngc gave the right call and therefore it's a piece of metal.
JMO but that's what you came for
Thanks for sharing

Crypto

Its worth a couple of hundred in an ANACS or ICG holder

BillJones

Pass. I could get a washer for a lot less.

dunkleosteus430

If you wanted to make a type set where you pay under $5 per coin, go ahead...
I'd pay a little over melt if I considered something like that. Early silver isn't really on my radar right now, though.

Paradisefound

Do you the date? At least a faint #s?

Paradisefound

I would’ve even pay for melt. It’s just a clutter to me 🤔

291fifth

It is too far gone to be bothered with. No offer.

ricko

Not for me.... I would leave that to a specialty collector who would appreciate it even in that very poor condition. Cheers, RickO

TurtleCat

I wouldn’t want it. Maybe for $1 as a conversation piece.

coinbuf

While I can understand the appeal for some, for myself a well worn slick like this with no design elements showing is not a coin that I would buy. If someone offered for free sure, but not something I would buy.

cmerlo1

If someone was attempting to submit that coin at my table at a show, I would tell them no, and explain why.

Grading services have to guarantee the authenticity of the coins in their slabs. If the coin is too far gone, either through wear or environmental or other damage, authenticity cannot be determined 100%.

I help pre-screen submitters' coins and I don't see too many coins that are worn out like this at the table. Typically they are things like dug 1909 Lincoln cents and the owner thinks they see an 'S' under the date. If the graders can't determine if what is seen is actually an 'S' or just the result of pitting from being in the soil, it will be returned in a body bag with 'unable to determine authenticity' noted on the packing slip. The same goes for this example- not enough meat to make a 100% authentic call. NGC called it correctly, IMO.

Omegaraptor

My thoughts... I kind of have a thing for cheap (and I mean cheap) roached rarities (particularly early ones), see my recent 1796 S-99 large cent purchase for $14. Some people might question my sanity in buying such a thing, but I guess it's up my alley and I haven't given much thought as to what its value is. Again there is no right or wrong answer to this thread and I thank you all for your opinions.

If I found this dime in a junk bin for $1 or $2 or whatever, I'd definitely be excited about it. But I'd find it hard to justify paying anything more than $30 or so just to have a conversation piece and to be able to say "yeah I have a Small Eagle dime". I don't think many dealers would offer something like this for $30, on the other hand.