Thanks for thinking of me. The dealer in question is a well known specialist in circulated and AU Barbers. I'm looking for MS coins between 64 and 66. The fact they are few and far in between works with my budget.
This weekend I did a lot of driving, and I was able to connect with Darrell at Amwldcoin. The conversation started with me trying to make an offer on a 1907 Barber Half Dollar in NGC55. The coin is completely original with the "crustiness" I am after. We talked for two hours about coins, collecting, grading, dealing coins and life in general. The time went by fast, and I enjoyed the entire conversation.
I snapped to attention when he said, "I don't think this coin is a 55, maybe a 53... but more likely a 50..." I explained that I was trying to build a set in AU with original coins without problems, and I liked the color and skin of the NGC coin. He gave me a price for the NGC coin, and stated that he had another AU55 in PCGS plastic that was a "true 55" (and noted that I would probably like it for my set). He gave me a (slightly higher) price on the PCGS coin.
I was driving and I didn't have a visual reference to the coin. I wanted to know what made a "True 55" vs the coin that he thought-of as less-so. He said, "Look at the Eagle on the reverse... look at the head, neck... feather details on the wings. Look at the obverse wreath around the head. Look at the luster... its just a better coin."
I kept driving, and thought about both coins. I decided that I was going to look closely at the areas Darrel had spoken about. Was I being "sold" into PCGS plastic, or was the dealer doing me a solid favor and giving be sagely advice? I went home that night and looked carefully at the coins. He was 100% right... the PCGS coin had much more detail. While it was not as "crusty" as the NGC coin, it still had grayish toning that went with the look I like. Utopia would have been the detail of the PCGS coin with the toning of the NGC coin. However, in the end... I did select the PCGS coin.
It's so nice when a dealer steers you right. I appreciate when a dealer says, "That may not be the right coin for you." I don't mind paying more for a coin that has a noticeable difference. I also appreciate dealers that show better lower-grade coins for less money than a higher grade. This type of interaction is what I look for in a dealer that becomes a partner to my collecting goals.
I wanted to thank Darrel here for being an honest dealer with great material in Barber Half Dollars. I appreciate all of it.
Here is the coin that I selected (note there is some rub on the reverse of the holder):
...and here is the reverse of the crusty NGC coin, so you can see what I am talking about above both coins AU55:
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Comments
Thanks for thinking of me. The dealer in question is a well known specialist in circulated and AU Barbers. I'm looking for MS coins between 64 and 66. The fact they are few and far in between works with my budget.
As a seated dollar collector I concur.
“‘The fact they are few and far between work's with my budget.”
Earlier this year I was wondering the same thing.
I came up with the Quarter Eagle Gold set worked for me.
The 1911-D is the weak "D"
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN
This weekend I did a lot of driving, and I was able to connect with Darrell at Amwldcoin. The conversation started with me trying to make an offer on a 1907 Barber Half Dollar in NGC55. The coin is completely original with the "crustiness" I am after. We talked for two hours about coins, collecting, grading, dealing coins and life in general. The time went by fast, and I enjoyed the entire conversation.
I snapped to attention when he said, "I don't think this coin is a 55, maybe a 53... but more likely a 50..." I explained that I was trying to build a set in AU with original coins without problems, and I liked the color and skin of the NGC coin. He gave me a price for the NGC coin, and stated that he had another AU55 in PCGS plastic that was a "true 55" (and noted that I would probably like it for my set). He gave me a (slightly higher) price on the PCGS coin.
I was driving and I didn't have a visual reference to the coin. I wanted to know what made a "True 55" vs the coin that he thought-of as less-so. He said, "Look at the Eagle on the reverse... look at the head, neck... feather details on the wings. Look at the obverse wreath around the head. Look at the luster... its just a better coin."
I kept driving, and thought about both coins. I decided that I was going to look closely at the areas Darrel had spoken about. Was I being "sold" into PCGS plastic, or was the dealer doing me a solid favor and giving be sagely advice? I went home that night and looked carefully at the coins. He was 100% right... the PCGS coin had much more detail. While it was not as "crusty" as the NGC coin, it still had grayish toning that went with the look I like. Utopia would have been the detail of the PCGS coin with the toning of the NGC coin. However, in the end... I did select the PCGS coin.
It's so nice when a dealer steers you right. I appreciate when a dealer says, "That may not be the right coin for you." I don't mind paying more for a coin that has a noticeable difference. I also appreciate dealers that show better lower-grade coins for less money than a higher grade. This type of interaction is what I look for in a dealer that becomes a partner to my collecting goals.
I wanted to thank Darrel here for being an honest dealer with great material in Barber Half Dollars. I appreciate all of it.
Here is the coin that I selected (note there is some rub on the reverse of the holder):
...and here is the reverse of the crusty NGC coin, so you can see what I am talking about above both coins AU55:
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
Thanks for the grading lesson. Nice coin. Darrell steered you right!
Darrell was right to steer you to the PCGS coin. That NGC55 looks more like a 45.
Doug
NGC grading a level or two loose......hmmmmm....