I know this is rare, but

wybrit · November 2, 2003 12:44PM

WOW!!

My catalogue is one year out of date, but £142 for this example is inconceivable to me, considering the book is at £35 (F) to £75 (VF). I'd rate this a weak VF with problems at best. Lloyd - what do you make of it?

spinaker2000 · November 2, 2003 1:01PM

Here's another, I thought this was a sure thing. I bid $40 over book and still lost it.

wybrit · November 2, 2003 1:09PM

Pretty expensive for a red X, Terry!

spinaker2000 · November 2, 2003 1:10PM

yes but it was a nice red X.

Lloyd · November 2, 2003 5:04PM

Hi Yawl
That 1845 is too expensive - the grade APPEARS to be GF at worst and NVF at best. It is clear that the coin has seen a great deal of usage. Certainly not better but maybe worse. The thing is, if you're going to overpay make it a high grade - something unusual.

(I bought a 1904 3d that was on the coin challenge yesterday for £xx. I probably overpaid but I will NEVER have to better it. Rarest variety of the rarest date and choice unc.)

I think wybrit's written somewhere about the pitfalls of grading these copper halfpennies - they have such a nice, high relief that significant wear doesn't damage their appearance too much. From a computer scan the best you can do is to look at the obvious, ie. the shield on the reverse. This suggests GF but there you go.

The lesson is - If you have a nice GF coin, which has photographed well, don't mention the grade - just say that book value in VF is £xxx. There's a highly reputable British Dealer who does it now on Ebay when he feels he's overpaid for a coin. (In fact I think I've done it with one of my auctions this week but it was an error - honest!!).

I know of a nice VF+ 1845 1/2d online now for £145 which I could get less 10% but there's no margin in it.

Finally this seller is a good collector and dealer. Really decent and if people want to go OTT on bad coins that's their business - makes it really easy sometimes

L

SYRACUSIAN · November 2, 2003 5:31PM

Thanks for sharing these tips Lloyd

wybrit · November 2, 2003 8:01PM

Lloyd - thanks for the feedback. I will reiterate from a previous thread that this seller is a good one. It's not his fault the prices go so high - and it is probably a reflection on the generally excellent quality of coins he does sell that this one did fetch the high price.

My comment is aimed more at the insanity of the bidding. I just wish they would do that when I sell!

I know this is rare, but

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