Long Beach Friday

Coxe

Not really much of a report since I got there late, around lunchtime, didn't look at too much inventory, and didn't attend a single auction session. But here goes.

Drove up late as I was very disorganized in the morning. Missed the rush hour but also got there after the bourse was going for over two hours.

Went to one of my favorite slab dealer's table and checked out the Morgans he had. Picked out five: 1880-O NGC 62 new find pitted obverse, 1880-O NGC 62 VAM-22, 1884 NGC 66 new find MPD 4, 1901 NGC 58 (haven't attributed yet), 1921 NGC 65 new find (boldly clashed M and gouges).

Stopped by some amigos' table to chat and sold another guy some really nice Peace dollars. I was mainly there to sell.

Hit the NSDR (National Silver Dollar Roundtable) and SSDC (Society of Silver Dollar Collectors) meetings, which are always highlights.

Went back to the bourse and sold another couple slabs. However, I made a huge error there. I misread the line in my spreadsheet and sold a slabbed 1803 half cent, worth hundreds, for fifty bucks, the price of another raw (and common variety) one of the same date. Lost a bundle on that transaction, but I have probably benefitted likewise in other situations. Was still soundly in the black for the day. Sometimes, it's Seller Beware, not just Buyer Beware.

Bought five more raw Morgans at two tables: 1880/80 MPD new find, 1883-O clashed, 1888-O VAM-18, 1889-O VAM-2, and 1889-O VAM-2A, the last three being oval O VAMs.

Dropped some coins off at ANACS and PCGS. A bunch of the ANACS ones were discovery VAMs and their attributor was nice enough to suffer through doing the validations with my Leroy letters at the table.

Checked out of the bourse and drove home. It was a worthwhile day. Made some money, met up with some friends, learned a hard lesson, and have a number of promising new discovery VAMs.

joecopper

Thanks for the report

SeattleSlammer

Thanks for th report.
It's really too bad that the person buying your 1803 1/2 cent didn't mention that the price seemed rather low.

roadrunner

I'm sure Coxe will make it a point to avoid that particular dealer in the future. I had a similar experience once with one of the top buying groups in the country. The buyer immediately mentioned that he questioned if the price was in error. It was but not because I had mismarked it. But rather because I hadn't checked the most recent sheet to notice it had gone up 20-30% since last time I looked. Since it was an error of my stuipidity, I gave him the coin at the quoted price knowing it was $400-$600 out of my pocket. That was a FUN show and that amount would have covered nearly my entire trip down.

roadrunner

notwilight

<< <i>Thanks for th report. It's really too bad that the person buying your 1803 1/2 cent didn't mention that the price seemed rather low. >>



Coxe didn't make it clear that the dealer knew what he was buying. Perhaps he bought it based on what Coxe told him. Coxe comes across as knowing what he is talking about. When I sold an R-4 large cent on thrusday and the price took into acount the relatively tought variety. The dealer as he was writing out the check said, "It is an S-61, right?" He didn't take the time to attribute it himself. I assured him that it was.

So Coxe, did he know?

--Jerry

Coin Finder

Coxe, I am with you man, I just paid 200.00 for an education in the die characteristics of a 1909 Matte Proof Lincoln.

Dealer that I bought it from I asked three times are you sure this is a Matte Proof. " oh yeah absoulutly"

Guess what, it has only one of the die characteristics and thats is it, even those are questionable. I wondered why it was so cheap so I guess I had my doubts too!

So I paid 200 bucks for a 10 dollar coin! But I know know the 1909 matte proof like the back of my hand!

Bear

We the disorganized and often led by the inept, thank you for

your show report. It is always enjoyable reading peoples impressions

and experiences at a coin show.

Coxe

He glanced at a pricing guide for the date and the common coin in the grade is about $250, the price I paid for it raw years ago, before I sent it to NGC for the grade and attribution (which was correct). Not sure what he saw in the guide, but it had to be around that. Bear in mind, I actually like this guy but he knew he was getting a total rip. I'll see him there in February and see if he can give me a deal on a purchase or something, to ease the pain, maybe a hundred dollar break would be nice. Lesson learned anyway.

RobJoyce1921dVAMguy

Wow! 3 oval Os. Nice finds.

Rob

Coxe

<< <i>Wow! 3 oval Os. Nice finds.

Rob
>>



The 88-O V-18 is (my grading) VG10 and the 89-O 2 and 2A are XF40 and XF45, respectively.

ElmerFusterpuck

Out of curiousity, which variety of 1803 half cent is more valuable than the others? I have 4 of that date, maybe I need to take a closer look.

Coxe

<< <i>Out of curiousity, which variety of 1803 half cent is more valuable than the others? I have 4 of that date, maybe I need to take a closer look. >>



It varies with the die variety and die state. The one I had was the Breen-3, Cohen-3 with a 60 degree rotation and virgin dies.

BobGreene

Is there any good online sources for examples of die varieties for, say, large cents, half cents, or bust halves? As type collector I don't really care what variety I buy, I just want an example of the type. When I'm looking at a group of large cents all I see are the dates, and I don't know squat about why one coin of the same date and grade is priced way higher than another that, to me, looks exactly like the other. I need a quicky reference so I will know what to look for or what to avoid.

Coxe

<< <i>Is there any good online sources for examples of die varieties for, say, large cents, half cents, or bust halves? As type collector I don't really care what variety I buy, I just want an example of the type. When I'm looking at a group of large cents all I see are the dates, and I don't know squat about why one coin of the same date and grade is priced way higher than another that, to me, looks exactly like the other. I need a quicky reference so I will know what to look for or what to avoid. >>



It varies with each series. I have my resources in print form, but would not be surprised to find sites with things on the large cents and maybe even half cents. Morgan and Peace dollar varieties, though extensively collected by varieties (though not as much per capita as large cents or bust halves are), only got a comprehensive variety online source (vamworld) this past year. Shield nickel varieties are represented online by one of this forum's members, though the site didn't expose a lot of the details last I looked. Most classic series are progressing along these lines. Varieties are getting the respect mint marks got after Heaton popularized their study.

Coxe

Good news. I got in contact with that one coin's buyer and he is selling it back to me. I have done business with him for years and know he is a good sort. This is the kind of thing that makes for great continuing business relationships. (This guy is also one of those dealers who seems to just love the business and doing shows. Always in a good mood. Wish I always was.)

Bear

ttt