Got this for $25, was it a mistake to buy?

lard_lord

I bought it kind of hastily since I've bought coins from him a lot, but I'm wondering if I overpaid

Oldhoopster

It's not German, it's a 2 Heller from Austria. Looks like it lists for less than a $1 on Numista In circulated grades

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2082.html

MasonG

You overpaid- sorry.

For sale on eBay now...

1899 AUSTRIA 2 HELLER Coin
Price: US $2.55

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284836146521?hash=item42518ead59:g:hAYAAOSw7iFilT44&LH_BIN=1

If you're really diligent, these show up in "4 For A Dollar" junk bins on occasion.

Sapyx

If it was a "German Empire 2 pfennig 1899", you might have had something... because Germany did not issue any 2 pfennig coins in 1899.

amwldcoin

Ouch!

291fifth

What were you thinking? It is the kind of coin you find in group foreign lots that are sold by weight.

John Conduitt

It depends on whether you wanted this specific coin or not. If you did, you wouldn't want to buy a kilo of junk in the unlikely hope of finding one. It's also unlikely you could buy one online for $1 - Numista's prices include people who found one in a kilo of junk, so their cost is very low. Or even $2.55. The eBay seller mentioned above adds postage on top. But even then I would guess they are close to making a loss after costs (eBay fees, packaging and postage). There's no point in a dealer selling a coin for less than $5 plus postage.

lard_lord

Damn. Thanks guys. I'm kind of new to coin collecting and this is the first mess up I've had so far. I bought this from a friend, so I didn't do enough research, and I don't think he was being malicious, he inherited a bunch of coins and this one was improperly labeled I guess. It has been a learning experience. At least it was only $25 that I lost.

tcollects

I would question the friendship of anyone who sells you a 25 cent coin for $25. I'd also take a look at what else you've bought, and take a break from buying anything else unless you learn what you[re getting.

1960NYGiants

We have all paid a similar tuition. Learn from it and move on. Also, the old adage comes to mind: buy the book before the coin. Good luck on future purchases.