Is it just me, or have bust half prices gone through the roof!?

steventheyn

I have been looking around on Ebay and I was at the ANA show last week. Almost all of the bust halves I've seen have been right around or above retail. Was I just looking at overpriced coins or have you guys noticed this too. Here's an example. ebay auction

Bustman

That does seem to be a bit over priced for an Anacs 45. I looked at a fair amount of Gem Bust halfs at the ANAshow, and considering what nicely toned Gems in general are going for, I found the Gem busts to be priced fairly.

steventheyn

Thanks for your opinion Bustman and welcome to the boards.

Swan

Considering the price of some gem Franklins and Walkers, I'd say real gem Bust halves are a steal! Buy 'em and put 'em away.

Elcontador

If strike is a concern and you're looking for a gem bust half in 63 or better, I'd suggest getting a Reeded Edge Half instead. They're 2X the price, but you'll get a well-struck coin (if a Reeded Edge Half is not well struck, make a point of not buying it).

The steam press was not used until the mintage of the Reeded Edge Halves began. Therefore, you rarely see fully struck Capped Bust Halves, even if you can find one in an MS 66 holder. Grading of these coins is difficult -- especially the Unc. coins -- because you must be able to distinguish between wear and lack of detail due to an incomplete strike.

jtryka

Around where I live, no one wants bust halves so they just sit around collecting dust. I can buy nice VF-XFs all day long for $25-75 each.

LanLord

<< <i>Around where I live, no one wants bust halves so they just sit around collecting dust. I can buy nice VF-XFs all day long for $25-75 each. >>



I must make a point to get up to Oregon some time. Is this the case with earlier dates too?

IrishMike

Swan couldn't agree with you more. Prices seem to me to be bargains.

Johnscoin

You should pick up some of those Busts and throw them on ebay or sell them on the boards! Those are great prices!

Gilbert

$90 is through the roof???? I must be a total sucker paying $300+ for an AU, huh?

jtryka

LanLord, I have seen dates from the teens through the mid 30s. If you have a date you are looking for, let me know and I'll pick it up for you, all you need to do is pay the purchase price plus shipping. I really don't like to make a profit from my firends on the board though. Even so, it would be just my luck to pick them up and be stuck with $500 worth of circ busts! I will say, my last purchase was for a member of this board, a conservatively graded 1818 that he swears is XF, but was graded by my dealer as VF for $48. I also picked up an 1823 broken 3 variety in strong VF for $60 a while ago.