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A couple of things

First, there was a huge auction in town the other day and I went and found a few coins in zip-lock bags. Three of the bags were filled with no cash value coins like car wash tokens and bus tokens aswell as some modern cadadian coins. One of the bags, though, had about 60 barber nickles and 10 buffalo nickles. They were in pretty bad shape, a couple were worn completely flat. They ranged from AG-2 to about F-20. The day that they were sold I was playing Golf so I didn't see what they went for. I just wanted to know if they were worth anything at all.

The second item, and more important: I have jsut started collecting and I am verry atracted to the Mercury dimes. I think I will focus on these untill I know more about collecting in general. I was wondering if there was anything I should know about these coins before I start buying them.

Comments

  • 1957joe1957joe Posts: 608 ✭✭
    What grade are you looking for?
  • I dont realy know, I realy like the design so I would like the feathers to be recognizable and the sharper and clearer the better, but I don't have much money available to spend on coins so I don't want to go after a proof set (if they did proofs for mercurys).

    also, if anyone can point me to a link where I can read about the history/interesting facts about Mercs I would be grateful.
  • AuldFartteAuldFartte Posts: 4,597 ✭✭✭✭
    image to the forums, Dan. Watch out for the key dates on ebay ..... some are altered or fakes.
    image

    My OmniCoin Collection
    My BankNoteBank Collection
    Tom, formerly in Albuquerque, NM.
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,656 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>First, there was a huge auction in town the other day and I went and found a few coins in zip-lock bags. Three of the bags were filled with no cash value coins like car wash tokens and bus tokens aswell as some modern cadadian coins. >>



    Car wash tokens usually wholesale at about a quarter apiece unless they are just common
    stock tokens. Some of the better ones get up over $10 but these would be rather exceptional.

    Bus tokens start at about 4 cents each but there are many scarcer issues which are worth up
    to a few hundred dollars each and are avidly collected.

    Modern Canadian circs are generally worth face value only in Canada ($.75/ $1). There are a few
    which are low mintage and bring a premium even in circ. A few of the Canadian nickel coins are
    a little tough in very high grade but there is still very little premium for them.



    << <i>One of the bags, though, had about 60 barber nickles and 10 buffalo nickles. They were in pretty bad shape, a couple were worn completely flat. They ranged from AG-2 to about F-20. The day that they were sold I was playing Golf so I didn't see what they went for. I just wanted to know if they were worth anything at all. >>



    Barber nickels are worth about $.40 in nice AG, $.55 in nice G or VG. and as much as $1 in F. Better
    dates, of course, can go for far more. Low grade and damaged coins go for much less. Slick buffs
    sell for about $.12 but this market changes pretty fast. Nice full date common date coins sell for $.40.



    << <i>The second item, and more important: I have jsut started collecting and I am verry atracted to the Mercury dimes. I think I will focus on these untill I know more about collecting in general. I was wondering if there was anything I should know about these coins before I start buying them. >>



    These are great coins. Most post 1934 coins are pretty common in XF and better.
    The early issues are extremely common in extremely worn condition. Try to get
    the earlier ones in at least nice G and the mid dates in at least VG/F. If you're
    going after uncs then look for nice strikes on all dates. These will be available
    with or with out FB. Good luck. Have fun.
    Tempus fugit.
  • I thought it was PR 02

    welcome dan!


    imageimage
  • Do you want to receive PMs

    Make sure you understand the difference between FB-full bands, and FSB-Full split bands. Also, being new, check out


    www.coinsheetlinks.com It's a A-Z of anything and everything for coins, currency, bullion, supplies,....numismatics galore!


    Jerry
  • EvilMCTEvilMCT Posts: 799 ✭✭✭
    Pick up a reference book on the Mercury dime series. I have one written by David Lange that seems to be pretty good.

    Ken
    my knuckles, they bleed, on your front door
  • "Make sure you understand the difference between FB-full bands, and FSB-Full split bands"

    first I dont have any idea what you mean by this. Count you or someone else explain?

    second, thanks for the link, I've been looking for an extensive site like that for some time now.

    Third, where can I buy a book like the one suggested. Are such books available at stores like barnes and noble or would I have to get it off amazon?

    Dan

  • jharjhar Posts: 1,126
    David W. Lange's book
    Another book
    It would be a good idea go get a RedBook.
    And it wouldn't hurt to get the PCGS Grading book too.

    The red book and the PCGS Grading book will probably be at your local B & N but the others may or may not be there. You can probably order them at B & N but i think that Brooklyngallery has better prices most of the time.

    Have fun!!
    J'har

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