Well. I paid the moon, but no remorse here.

coinlieutenant

What do you guys think?

An all out bidding war on ebay about a half hour ago.

It was violent, but this sailor wasn't intimidated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!"

I am, however, a little scared of when the wife finds out...........

John

airplanenut

Man she's gorgeous!!! Please provide a link!

Mrpawn

That is a beauty

Thanks for the look

kranky

Link. Coin was sold by board member bustman.

nwcs

Now that is a good looking woman! Just tell the wife you got a coin that beautiful because it reminded you of her....

coinlieutenant

linko dinko

Bustman

I think you'll love the coin. I know the previous owner.

Bustman

I gotta learn to type faster!! I've been "bust-ed"

BigE

That is one sweet coin-------BigE

khayse

Awfully nice for a 62. Nice color too.

-KHayse

mdwoods

Very pretty coin. Nice catch. Bustman takes NICE photos.

Just tell the wife you got a coin that beautiful because it reminded you of her....

Sounds like Neil might have a bit of experience here!!

DCAMFranklin

Bustman- Just a fabulous coin and you are a lucky collector to have owned it for however long!! Really, really fabulous and a spectacular ring of color.

Coinlt- You are a lucky man to be the future owner! Absolutely spectacular coin and you were very wise to continue the bidding. Congrats!!

dan1ecu

It's beautiful! It's probably one of the nicest that exist in terms of eye appeal (based on what I've seen, anyway). I can see why the competition was fierce!

DCAMFranklin

Bustman- I've taken some real time to study those pics and I have to ask. What keeps the coin at 62? What ever it is, it sure isn't obvious! Your auction description is super. I can see what you mean about wanting "to stare at this coin all day long". It is sure easy to sit back and admire the beauty of that coin!

Coinlt- Congrats, again! I just now had a chance to observe the bidding history. I had assumed from your initial post that it had been a bidding battle. In reality, you put up a very bold bid and waited for others to shoot at it. Bold bid. Congrats!

ms70

That is simply breathtaking! Congrats!

wingedliberty

Superb coin, whatever premium you paid was worth it.

Brian.

coindaughter

That is a beautiful coin. Congratulations!

barberlover

i would say thats to much money for a 62, but if the scans are accurate, i can't see any marks or luster breaks that wouldn't justify a 64, if that image is accurate in terms of marks, i would crack it out and resubmit it.

Hey bustman, any idea why that coin is in a 62 holder ? Les

Merc

Wow, wonderful coin. I too wonder how it got just a MS62. This is much nicer than any of my Bust halves. Then the seller also made it a true auction. That is a rare thing on ebay now. Good to hear you were the high bidder. Send some pictures when you get it.

relayer

That is a great coin. Sharp strike - and beautiful toning

I bet you could get it bumped up a point too

coinlieutenant

DCAM.

I'm not really sure what kept the coin from 63. I think that originality might have been one reason. I believe that the coin was dipped at one time and has retoned. There are a couple of larger marks on the reverse. Not sure about rub on the coin either. Sometimes the services, NGC especially, will market grade a coin in the low 60's if they find a bit of rub that some would say is AU58. Bust Halves are the hardest coin to find in actual mint state. Many of the 65's that I have seen are in actuality 58's in my opinion.

I will be able to tell more when I see the coin of course. I am sure that John could offer much better guidance.

Thanks for the kind words though. I did put up a strong bid but i love beauty and I think it reflects in our collection. You can check it out at www.geocities.com/m984116/

I need to learn how to take pictures like Anaconda and Eagle seller though.

Enjoy!!

lclugza

I once saw a 1837 half that looked very, very similar to that one. It was gorgeous, too! It had the same dark blue toning around the rims (I wonder if that is common with that date?) However, it didn't have the dark red toning, and the toning didn't go quite as far toward the center of the coin.It was graded MS64 but looked like an MS65!

Dave99B

Special coins don't come cheap. Nice Bust half!

Dave

ohbaby

Nice coin which may upgrade but price wise it is probably maxed out and then some. Will be hard to break even on this. This is beond 63 money. I would have gone to 1600. There's a nice 63 in anacs holder which sold last yr for !,600. Again nice w/ a nice price.

coinlieutenant

Oh baby,

Greysheet bid is 1500 in MS 63. If the coin upgrades I ripped it. If it stays a 62, and I ever go to sell it, which I think I might sell a future grandkid before I sell it, I'd bet that I make money on the coin.

Bluesheet on the coin is 640 in NGC 62. Load me up on coins like that for three times blue........


Care to make it interesting with a long term bet on my profit margin?

John

Tassa

Absolutely gorgeous!!

ConstellatioCollector

Took my breath away!

Petescorner

Sweet coin! Congratulations!


And kudos to Bustman for running a dollar start/No Reserve auction on a coin like that!

tgilliams

Thank you for sharing a bit of history and what a magnificant coin to accomplish this with. With a coin like that, money that you may or not make should not be an issue, it's a definate keeper!! I'd never part with that coin if it were mine. A coin with that intrinsic beauty, the grade should be the least of your concerns. You're only concern should be convincing your wife that you found a "hidden treasure". The grade or any future profits or losses you may incur if for some unknown reason that you would consider selling one of the finest early halve's in existance.

wayneherndon

I had it in my snipe program but the bidding exceeded my preset amount so my bid was not placed. I've learned to not get emotional about either the coins I buy or the ones that get away but from what I can tell from the images, it is a lovely coin for the money and you should not have any regrets. Had I won it, I would have been looking to place it with a collector for around the same money you paid.

WH

DCAMFranklin

Well, that is some good news. Wayne had the coin in his snipe sights. You paid about what he would have asked for the coin. Plenty of us feel the coin is primo, PQ for the grade. Congrats again!!!!!

BigE

I think you took advantage of bustman and he should be able to demand his coin back or more money----------BigE

coinlieutenant

Everyone,

Thanks so much for the kind words. Words cant describe how happy I am about this purchase and I would like to just expand on the wise words of tgilliams.

Sometimes money just doesnt matter. That is such a true statement.

This coin certainly will not be sold anytime soon and the grade/profit margin for this coin isnt important. To me, it is a work of art with both man and nature as its authors. For true numismatists, a coin like this is what makes the hobby so intriguing. We, as Americans, value both strength and beauty. We are proud of our nations history and our current strength. We also hold dear our freedom and the wonderful artforms that from freedom have sprung. A coin like this reminds us that we are all part of that rare and wonderful combination.

It also reminds us of a time when our nation was very young, when its ideals were still in transformation. Just 23 years before this coins birth, the British had burned Washington. Our nation was not strong, but its potential was becoming evident. That is why I love this coin. It exudes fortiude. It has survived over 150 years of history and at the same time can strum our heartstings with its appeal.

As for numismatics, it is the method of transport for these beautiful pieces. Without other collectors, the hobby would be nothing. There would be no one to share in the joys of these masterpieces. How terribly lonely that would be. To have something so incredibly beautiful, but no one to show. We numismatists, by our very nature, are the most social of creatures....

And although I do own the coin, please know that I take my responsibility as caretaker most seriously. I also hope that you understand that without fellow collectors like you, my joy would be diminished to the point of bittersweet nostalgia of a time long past... Please think of it as ours in safekeeping with me...

Very respectfully,
John

Askari

John, that is simply a fabulous coin! I'm sure Bustman is delighted it's "staying in the family."

We'll all be eager to hear what you think about it when it's in hand! I can't see why it's a 62 either. Perhaps it was graded back when NGC was grading more technically and toning was still considered a minus. On today's market grading, it's hard to see how that coin isn't at least a 63!

Bravo!! (And bravo to your wallet, which took the hit for such a worthy cause!)

FC57Coins

Wonderful coin! Once again the price should be reflective of the eye appeal of the coin and not what kind of plastic surrounds it or what the price sheets say. Good coins will fetch good money. - Nicely done John!

joejeweler

John......nice purchase! I even had it in my watch list.....but my commitments to Adrian on current purchases kept my finger off the trigger!

Don't ever mind paying a "beauty premium".......feels much better than getting an "ugly discount"!!!

Sheets......you don't even consider sheets on a coin like this. Adrian is currently holding a gorgous 1831 MS63 (PCGS) Bust half for me.......totally colored and breathtaking.........check the sheets on that and it's not even close to the $3,400 i'm locked in for! (who knows.....it might be an NGC MS64 in hiding! )

But as high as that is......it's nowhere near the often 10X sheet prices for monster Morgans! And there seems to be a whole lot more of them than standout Bust halves.

This series is also one of my favorites.......the hand made dies and individual die characteristics have always intreagued me. The 1827 MS66 (NGC) in my type set is a national treasure in my mind. The 12.5K cost is also way over sheet, but who cares......i'm not planning on selling it in my lifetime! So my kids will inherit it or whatever.......i bought it to enjoy it while i'm "on top of this earth"......which is how i feel ("on top of the world")whenever i get to hold it at the bank from time to time!

You'll soon forget about the premium factor.....and time may very well rise the financials to where it's a bit closer. But one thing to consider......your new coin will ALWAYS sell at a premium to an average or ugly MS62 Bust half........of that i am sure!

WELL DONE!
Joe T




<< <i>Oh baby,

Greysheet bid is 1500 in MS 63. If the coin upgrades I ripped it. If it stays a 62, and I ever go to sell it, which I think I might sell a future grandkid before I sell it, I'd bet that I make money on the coin.

Bluesheet on the coin is 640 in NGC 62. Load me up on coins like that for three times blue........


Care to make it interesting with a long term bet on my profit margin?

John >>

lablover

Dang, I wish I had that. Pretty coin. Tell the wife she's pretty and toned nicely too. Beg and whine and swear you had a brain fart and maybe, just maybe she will forgive you.

pmh1nic

coinlieutenant

Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars....

What a beauty and with eye appeal like that AU-58 or MS-62 wouldn't be an issue for me (and probably not the next buyer ).

jonesy

( with tears streaming down face ) That coin proves that the junk they're producing today needs to be changed. Let's get the ugly ex presidents off and replace them with the Icons!!
Glenn

jonesy

Oh Yeah, Congrats Coinlieutenant!!
Glenn

roadrunner

Very impressive coin and price. I'm very surprised. When I last looked at the auction it was around $1200. Bustman has good taste.

roadrunner

WWW

John, an outstanding example and worth the premium that you paid. Liza won't mind as much after you buy her some flowers, take her out to dinner, wash all the dishes, do all the laundry and proceed to worship the ground that she walks on. Or, you can redecorate the dog house and move in for a while. Regardless, that coin is worth it and congratulations.

cosmicdebris

Excellent coin. I too wonder why it is only a MS62?

coinlieutenant

Just to let everyone know..

I told the wife.......

.........and she is fine with it. I showed her and she actually thought the coin was very fetching. No need to decorate the dog house quite yet Bill. She normally doesnt give a rats ass about coins but this one caught her eye. Maybe that should be my criteria from now on.

Truthfully, I'm very lucky. She is quite cool about coins. We have a good system going. Perhaps this might help some of the other oppressed husbands and the few oppressed wives on the board.

All we do is pay all out investments, and all of our bills first. Whatever is left over we split down the middle and have our own separate checking accounts. That way the other wont know if a surprise is bought for them etc. I told her that money is hers and she can start a crack cocaine ring if she wants. It has worked marvelously so far. Will keep you posted.... Wish I knew how to post her picture. She isnt bad to look at either. The coin and her make quite a pair. Bill, you still got that picture I sent you? anyway to post it?

John

WWW

I sure do John. Plus the graduation photo of you and Jason from the US Naval Academy. Anyone else think that Marine is ready to party?

coinlieutenant

Ah, yes, my crazy marine friend....

He was actually very upset that he didnt get to go to Iraq. Glad there are people like him out there. He doenst quite understand the coin thing either. He thinks coins should be used to buy more guns for him to shoot bad people.........

Askari

Wow! Two keepers!! ... it's not fair!

coinlieutenant

Askari,

Thanks man.. Did i mention she is 5' 9" and a california girl

She has the longest legs in the world. Standing side by side I am an inch taller but her legs finally end at the middle of my waist.

Hopefully, our kids will have her long legs and my long torso. Seven footers with prime atheletic ability!!! NBA players can afford alot of coins for their old man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John

Askari

LOL!! You'll have to set us up with better side-by-side pics to show her off best!! I can sure see why you plan on keeping both the coin and the woman for a lifetime!!

pmh1nic

Congratulations on graduating...SIR!

Your system with the wife is good. It's work pretty much that way for me and my wife for the last 29 years. Make her feel secure and the rest is cake .

Wondo

coin leiutenant,

"She isnt bad to look at either" - as a married man of 18 years I suggest that you rephrase that or the dog house will need to be redecorated!!!