Help needed from forum members: establish value of 1841 1/2 Dime (Now A Contest/Giveaway)

JadeRareCoin

The 1841 Half Dime imaged below was consigned to us this morning, along with several other coins. Most of the coins are nice coins (avg. $150 or so retail value). The 1841 Half Dime really threw us for a loop. The consignor insists that it is worth $50, which is what he paid for it many years ago, according to his records. We, on the other hand, insist that the coin is only worth $3 on a very, very good day. The consignor is a friend and he has given us permission to post this coin on the US Coin Forum to obtain unbiased opinions regarding it's value. So....please post your opinion on the RETAIL value of this coin. This will hopefully give our client some confidence in the fact that this is NOT a valuable coin. I think that he paid $5 for it years ago, but somehow his records show $50 (typo). Note: he is not an avid coin collector.

We told the consignor that it is possible to realize $50 for his 1841 Half Dime, but we would have to either:

A) create a story about this being salvaged from the SS Republic ship wreck, and then have it slabbed as "ship wreck effect"
create a story stating that this 1841 Half Dime was the first Half Dime struck in 1841, then have it slabbed as "specimen"
C) sell it on eBay as an "1841 mystery lot"
D) or claim that this is the ultra rare first coin that Stockton ever plugged (when he was only 9 years old), and charge a large premium

On a serious note, does anyone have any idea as to why anyone would plug a holed half dime that only grades PO-1? This coin obviously has a story to tell.......



UPDATE:

Well, our client has read this thread and is now convinced that the coin is only worth a couple of bucks...at best. However, he was so surprised by the numerous insults by forum members regarding his coin, that he said he no longer wants it. He has authorized us to give the coin to a forum member through the following contest:

If you insulted our client's 1841 half dime, then you must post an apology for your uncivilized behavior. Whomever posts the MOST emotional and convincing apology will receive the coin. Our client will determine the winner (or, in this case, loser).

Thanks! jaderarecoin

mgoodm3

This half dime was shot by Annie Oakley.

Wondo

Probably an old jewelry piece that someone plugged for fun. Worth no more than $5; I would drill the plug and put it back on a necklace.

RYK

I would not give you a nickel for it. Okay, maybe a nickel, BUT NOT A FARTHING MORE!

morganbarber

Impaired proof?

DAM

Braddick "might" pay $5 for it, if it was slabbed.


I find it had to believe someone would pay $5 for it, let alone $50. I think this is one of those purchases you "eat" and move on.

ms70

I wouldn't take it for free.

FC57Coins

$3 on a good day sounds about right

JadeRareCoin

This half dime was shot by Annie Oakley.

Brilliant marketing!!! You could get a marketing job with HSN with those kinda ideas. I think that I will use your idea an sell this on eBay for $500.

BillJones

<< <i>$3 on a good day sounds about right >>



Yes, on a VERY GOOD day. Good "bid" is $11. This has Fair-2 sharpness with a crudely plugged hole. I won't give you $2 for it, because I couldn't sell it for more than $1.

coachleonard

What this coin DOES have going for it-- a clear readable date. You can't underestimate how important that
is to ebay bidders. I've put up coins a lot nicer but with hard to see or invisible dates, and they seem to be a lot harder sell than a coin with a clear date. So, $5 retail is STILL a possiblility!

ms70

JadeRareCoin- Maybe throw it on eBay for fun & let us know what happens? Start at .01 and no reserve!

UncleWiggly

If it still has the plug in it, and it's still for sale for $5, I'd like to buy it. I'd just like to have something like that because I don't and the oddity.

lathmach

That ain't worth $3 any day, good or otherwise.
Your consignor probably paid $.50 for it, not $5. Check the decimal point in his records.

Ray

Conder101

I think I'd try spending it.

lordmarcovan

<< <i>On a serious note, does anyone have any idea as to why anyone would plug a holed half dime that only grades PO-1? This coin obviously has a story to tell....... >>

Good question as to why somebody would plug a coin that was already near worthless. I don't know the answer, but I see plenty of plugs in otherwise worthless holeys. Maybe the person who did it was planning on spending it, and was concerned it would be rejected as underweight, without the plug? But on the other hand, people spent holed coins all the time, I'm sure- a large portion of the early coins I've found with my detector were holed, and ALL of the half dimes were (I've found four so far.) So the "underweight" theory might not hold water, but I still think the plug may be contemporary.

MadMarty

Everybody knows the coin was once owned by poor old Heralds grandfather! If we can find Deb, I'm sure she can come up with a story that would get $50 for the coin!

XpipedreamR

<< <i>...$50... >>

ddbird

Well it does look off center..or mishapen!

JrGMan2004

That coin is junk-bin worthy..........

JadeRareCoin

UPDATE:

Well, our client has read this thread and is now convinced that the coin is only worth a couple of bucks...at best. However, he was so surprised by the numerous insults by forum members regarding his coin, that he said he no longer wants it. He has authorized us to give the coin to a forum member through the following contest:

If you insulted our client's 1841 half dime, then you must post an apology for your uncivilized behavior. Whomever posts the MOST emotional and convincing apology will receive the coin. Our client will determine the winner (or, in this case, loser).

Thanks! jaderarecoin

Cherwood

I didn't insult that unique coin, but I humbly apologize on behalf of my fellow forum members for their blatant rudeness regarding the condition of that lovely coin.......

I'm sure I will lie awake at nights for a long time weeping over such a terrible injustice.

How's that?

ms70

<< <i>I wouldn't take it for free. >>



I'm so terribly sorry that I said this that it's brought me to tears. I have been talking to my wife, closest friends, and I've even gone to
a psychologist over this statement.

What I truly meant - and from the heart - is that you'd have to pay me $5 to take it off your hands.

mgoodm3

I didn't insult it, so I won't apologize. I just suggested a sexy history for it.

relayer

That's the coin that saved great-great-grandpa relayer's life, when it took a bullet for him during the civil war.

ms70

<< <i>That's the coin that saved great-great-grandpa relayer's life, when it took a bullet for him during the civil war. >>



He got shot by a BB gun?

FC57Coins

Actually Dennis, you may have hit on a very good and politically correct way for dealers to settle certain issues with regard to coins. Post them up here and see what the rabble has to say on it and go with the flow. I think it'd work!


Oh- bytheway - no apologies extended here

Conder101

I wouln't consider my comments to have been an insult of the coin, merely that I would probably have more fun trying to spend it than with the small amount that it could be sold for.

seanq

I am deeply, whole-heartedly, genuinely sorry that I did not see this thread yesterday.


Sean Reynolds

DAM

My insulting remark:


<< <i>Braddick "might" pay $5 for it, if it was slabbed.


I find it had to believe someone would pay $5 for it, let alone $50. I think this is one of those purchases you "eat" and move on. >>






<< <i>If you insulted our client's 1841 half dime, then you must post an apology for your uncivilized behavior. >>


To the the owner of the 1841 half dime... and all other forum participants whom I have insulted:

I've been sick since yesterday afternoon when I made the off color remarks about your half dime. On the way home from work I stopped by a Catholic church and went to confession. I want you to know, I'm not Catholic. I felt terrible about what I had said and thought the only way to correct the mistake at that time was to confess my sin. When I told the priest what I had done, I was jerked from the confessional, rushed to the door, thrown out of the church, and told never to return. The $100 I had given as a donation was "thrown" at me as I lay on the sidewalk in front of the church. Something like "heaven has no place for someone of your character" was said as the priest slammed the door.

As I lay in bed last night, I could hardly sleep, wondering how I was going to make amends. It hit me when I woke up this morning. Realizing what I had to do, I went to the bank and emptied all my safety deposit boxes filled with coins. Then I stopped by the Salvation Army and dumped them all in the big kettle they have in their office lobby. When I looked up at the person behind the counter they commented, "you must have committed the big one to make such a donation." To which I said, "giving up a life's work of collecting material things is a small price to pay for the humiliation I've caused."

I hope this will in some small way, diminish the pain and embarrasement I have caused you.

coachleonard

Actually i was kind of complimentary, but since i followed that by saying it MIGHT bring in $5, here goes...

I apologize completely and unreservedly. My comments where wholly inappropriate and in no way fair
comment, therefore, I offer up a complete and utter retraction of my statements, and I promise to
refrain from any similar deragatory comments in the future. Furthermore, I sincerely regret any emotional distress incurred by you or your family.

(at least that's my best recollection of the famous apology scene in Fish Called Wanda)

JadeRareCoin

My customer just sent me an email. It was short and sweet: DAM is the "winner" of the contest. DAM, please send your address via PM and we will get this coin out to you. If you are planning on having it slabbed, please be warned that it runs a good chance of getting bagged at either PCGS or NGC.

Thanks to everyone who played.

jasbucks

A humorous end to this thread. How funny is it what we'd do for our coins!?!?
Is a Coin Reality Web-Show in the works? Watch out Coin Vault!

DAM

To me coins like this are valuable because of their history. Hands that have held it and places it's seen, verses one graded MS67 kept for 160 years in an envelope inside a dresser drawer. Don't get me wrong, I would prefer an MS67, but an MS67 hasn't lived.

Thank you and your customer very much.

PM sent

JrGMan2004

I would consider buying it as a novelty item if it was in an ANACS or SEGS problem slab... or maybe PCI...

DAM

I just returned home from a week 10 day vacation. When I got to work this morning the coin was on my desk.

Thanks to JadeRareCoin and your customer.

coinguy89

<< <i>That coin is junk-bin worthy.......... >>



I agree, I would probably still be tempted to buy it, if it was cheap.