Question for Liberty Nickel experts and any experts.

Coin Finder

I have looked for years for a decent, the key word is decent, 1885 in any grade.

This week I found two in PCGS holder. One with David Lawrence in a PCGS VG 10 holder for $810.00. This piece is OK. And one with Harry Labstein in a PCGS Fine 15 holder for $950.00.

The Harry Labstien coin has an "I" mising in Liberty, otherwise strong overall and great eye appeal.

Look at any price guide Treadns, Greysheet. These coins are not anywhere near this retail.

Why is this coin so hard to find in decent shape and why are they priced so high?

Would you pay these prices?

Thanks in Advance

Tbig

dimples

<< <i>I have looked for years for a decent, the key word is decent, 1885 in any grade. >>



There's your answer.

LanLord

Why are 1885s so difficult to find? Why are they so expensive?

Hmm. There is a possibility that after the general public jumped at the opportunity to swoop up all the 1883 no cent nickels they could, there was a thought that the series key had been saved. When 1885 came around, with it's (relatively) low mintage, not as many were put away as one might think. So even though there were over a million of them made, there are not very many around any longer, and of those that are around, most are pretty low grade.


Just for fun:
Link to Liberty Head set

stimmy

I have looked for years for a decent, the key word is decent, 1885 in any grade.

Yes; you will be paying a Premium for the 1885,1886 and 1912-S and somewhat on the 1887 in the Liberty nickels. You see a lot of these on E-Bay non-slab and just about all are over graded and clean.

If they are nice coins; why not purchase them if you can afford them.

The one from David Lawrence in a PCGS VG 10 holder for $810.00. Seems expensive and I would pass; unless it was really nice coin.

The one with Harry Labstein in a PCGS Fine 15 holder for $950.00 also seems expensive; I would pass also unless I really wanted it..


Just my opinion.

keets

hey Tbig

tough dates, but i suspect if you hold out a couple more years you may be able to get a better price at the Liquidation Sale.

BillJones

In general the prices key date coins have gone through the roof, even in the lower collector grades like VG and Fine. For that reason dealers are paying more than "bid" and often more than "ask" for properly graded key date coins. If I can buy one for between "bid" and "ask" I count myself as lucky.

Many dealers think that the 1885 and 1886 Liberty Nickels are overpriced in the Good. There are a fair number of them around. BUT in the middle grades from Fine to EF, the coin is very hard to find. You can purchase Proofs and Uncs if you are willing to pay the freght.

Why are these coins tough in the middle grades? They got spent during the various economic down turns that stretched from the Panics of 1893 and 1907, the mini slump after the First World War, and most importantly the Great Depression. The coins got spent, and few people saved them. That explains the rarity.

As for you delema - I might consider a higer grade than Fine. Going up to AU or so might not be that much more money.

AND one more thing, in the "old days" if the "I" was missing in "LIBERTY" the coin did not QUITE grade Fine in the eys of many dealers and collectors.

WACoinGuy

DLRC is having a 5% off sale now, so his 1885 is now only $770.

BillJones

<< <i>DLRC is having a 5% off sale now, so his 1885 is now only $770. >>



Just for reference - VG prices:

Gray Sheet "bid" / "ask" $450 / $490

Coin Valures price $ 700.00

Coin Values (Coin World) prices tend to be high for most things, so even with the 5% discount, this does not look like a bargain.

Like I said before I'd shoot for higher grades and see if that coin is closer to a more comfortable price.

jdimmick

Bill,

Thanks for that tidbit of info on the 1885 Liberty 5c in grades of good being overpriced. I can vouch for that as I put a PCGS G-4 on e-bay last week and took a bath on the coin, it sold for $350.00 well below bid?

I agree, I would not buy any Liberty Nickel in Fine without the letter I visible? But I see them graded by TPG all the time.

I agree with the above comments that a nice choice original 1885 in say Xf or AU would be a real prize.

sinin1

I was tempted with this one, but decided too much risk for me at this time

1885 in England