Well, I wasn't expecting that in a grade I could afford - a new CBH for the group - Video added

pursuitofliberty

So, a few weeks ago it got put on my watch list, when I first saw it come up. And then she kept making me go back and look and think about her.

And then a week ago, I put in a check bid to discourage anyone who wasn't too serious, although I knew that wasn't what she would go for. That bid held for a few days and probably cleared out some wannabe underbidders.

A couple bidders got somewhat serious, and I watched and waited, and thought about her some more.

.

By Saturday, I was getting serious about wanting to win her.

By Sunday I was nervous, but had committed to giving it a shot.

I wrote down a number. I figured that would be about what it would take to win it. I told a friend unless I was going against another collector who wanted it, I thought I had a chance. He thought it looked fantastic, and encouraged me.

The certification had no bean, so that probably limited some eyeballs. Maybe she'll never get a bean (we'll see, maybe later), but I felt confident she was a good coin.

I asked another friend for his take. His notes mirrored mine, and he has a fantastic eye for detail. At this point I didn't believe I had missed anything.

.

Then, as the clocked ticked closer, I decided I would add a little to that "wrote down a number" bid, just in case ... because, well, I was starting to get a little smitten with her after looking at her over and over and over again. And while I really didn't want to go too far as she is far from perfect, I was starting to pressure myself.

It was one of those, "If I lose here by a few hundred bucks, am I going to kick myself, and then when it shows up on someone's site at 10% to 15% more, am I going still want it enough that I have to consider buying it there?"

.

I had told myself last summer to be patient and keep looking for one. One would show up ... all in good time. A good friend bought an outstanding one recently. just an incredible coin. I was (and am still) jealous.

A different grey-dirt one sold at FUN. That one went quick or I might not have been here. Maybe not. I might not have stretched that far. Who knows. I only saw it after it was sold.

.

This one looked pretty, and worthwhile, and certainly fit the bill for what I hoped to find. My notes said "try for an attractive AU50 to AU53". It's one of those things where anything more for this coin in this grade or higher that wasn't boinked, truly spoiled or just plain ugly was going to cost a LOT more money, at least if I could win this one at something near what I thought.

Of course, I could have been wrong. The images could have lied. Or it could have went for more money than I figured.

But between a TrueView that was done right, and the excellent work of Phil's imaging now that he's over at GC with the GreatPhoto thing, I felt pretty confident in what I was seeing. Two friends who pay close attention seeing it as I did gave me even greater confidence.

The only thing left was price. Was I right?

And so, with just a few seconds left, I sent my bid. Damn the torpedo's and full speed ...

.

Oh

Heck

Yes!

.

My bid only upped the price one increment. So, $109. more than the "wrote down a number" from the day before. Better still!!

.

She arrived today. And I am very, very happy!

She's not perfect, but for the grade she is very nice, with FANTASTIC color! This is my very first of this date in a CBH, and I think she makes a solid addition to my set.

.

You read all this way to see, right? Or you skipped and looked first ... that's cool too.

Two images. Both done by the same photographer if I were to guess, just at different times and under different conditions. Maybe he remembers? @PhilArnold

The color is better than either image, in different ways, but I guess for what I see it is somewhere in-between the two images.

All comments appreciated, always.

Thanks for looking!!

relicsncoins

Nice original look to that piece. Well done.

HillbillyCollector

Congrats Todd, nice CBH.👍

jayPem

There it is!
After all the great coins in your set, the key is yours...😄
Love that particular "a" state, with the sharp reverse clashing... its the one to hold out for.
You say far from perfect, I'm having a hard time seeing how though, at the grade, it looks stunning!

Floridafacelifter

Great score!

TomB

I love the write-up and I love the coin! The one I had was a VF35 with all the grey dirt on it.

braddick

I love the commentary leading up to the winning purchase.
Congratulations.

jesbroken

Well worth the read, Todd. Great addition.
Jim

Davidk7

Great coin Todd!

pursuitofliberty

Thanks for all the comments! Quick video for another perspective.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/920795936

etexmike

I really like the look of the coin. Very nice pickup.

And I didn't skip, I read all the way.

jayPem

@TomB said:
I love the write-up and I love the coin! The one I had was a VF35 with all the grey dirt on it.

This sounds like one I'd love to see!
The look (and grade) I search for!

mark_dak

Nice coin. You'll enjoy it for years.

We've all been there. My first major purchase at a large auction house ended up in overpaying for a real nice coin. One of the few I own still under water. I ended up letting emotion take my bid higher than I wanted. My tuition in the coin hobby.

Mark

Catbert

I can totally relate to the passion, Todd! It's these types of opportunities to add great coins to one's set that just stirs the heart. It's a lovely coin!

habaraca

Very impressive......... and I love the coin too

spyglassdesign

Very nice. I see you've been bitten by the cbh bug. That and trade dollars are my particular fancies!

Congrats on a wonderful coin. I'd be shocked if she didn't bean for you.

jacrispies

Great coin! I love it, it is nicer than the vast majority of examples as that marriage always comes messed with. Congrats!

BryceM

Wonderful coin…… and wonderful story. At that value range, I imagine there’s a 95% chance CAC has seen it already. You never know though, and either way I like the coin with or without a sticker.

Pnies20

🤤

Glad you bid

pursuitofliberty

Thank you for all the comments!

Having had the opportunity to spend the night, and now the afternoon with her further, I feel extremely fortunate.

For the grade she is a very attractive example, without the problems that plague so many 15/2's. Too many seems to be boinked, scrubbed and/or worked that it's really sad ... especially since there aren't a great amount to begin with.

I also really love the late Die State. The surfaces are hard and almost semi-PL, with a few whispies that can't escape being seen with those surfaces at this grade. The colors are mesmerizing, moving from deep forest green rims to an almost apricot glow across the centers, and that steely silver on the high point wear.

Will she, or has she been to CAC? I'm not sure. I'm going to try and find out, and I may decide to send her at some point. I haven't been able to find a previous auction appearance ... yet. I wouldn't love her any less either way, and while I think she is solid for the grade, that isn't always enough.

In the end, I feel extremely lucky to have found a fantastic 53 with great color and pleasing surfaces for a bit of a bargain price, that I can keep and enjoy.

pursuitofliberty

@Pnies20 said:
🤤

Glad you bid

Me too!

sparky64

Congrats, awesome CBH.
The video really shows it off.

kaz

That's a beautiful example, congrats! The video really shows off the colors too.

PhilArnold

@pursuitofliberty said:

Two images. Both done by the same photographer if I were to guess, just at different times and under different conditions. Maybe he remembers? @PhilArnold

I’d say it’s quite likely I did both images. The TrueView would be several years old at this point.

Glad you’re happy!

Herb_T

It’s only money….you only need it if you are building a new house that has sprayed in foam insulation that costs $75-$100k…then you might want to save your bucks!

Kliao

Wow. Great pickup. Love the writeup too. Congrats!

FlyingAl

Very lovely! The write up was thrilling, I won't lie.

RobertScotLover

Love these stories, good looking bust

Tom147

Not my area of collecting but, the write up had me read to the end. Very nice half. I wish this forum had more story writers like you. Thank you sir for posting a memorable story and a very nice coin.

psuman08

Great score Todd!

Walkerfan

Great story!! I know the feeling, as I have been in your shoes before!! Glad you were able to secure this beautiful piece. Personally, I think the trueviews look a little better, but they are close. What a tough overdate! I like the wholesomeness, as well!! Big congrats!!

pursuitofliberty

Thanks for all the comments!

I had a pretty rough few days at work, but I really appreciated some of the last few comments where the notices found their way into my email box, and made me stop when I saw them, and gave me some reprieve and a smile.

I appreciate the comments on the story aspect too. The coin is a great coin, and I super happy ... but sometimes it's fun to think about how we got here with some of these.

Copperindian

I’m not a collector of these but I love the coin! And….your saga almost as much. Well done & congrats!