For all you half bust collectors out there I need your help

phantom1701

Got an offer to buy a really good looking PCGS MS62 1827 Square 2 for $1700 from a reputable best dealer in my area. Greysheet has the MS60 at $950 and the 63 at $2000, so $1700 sounds a little bit high for a 62. Still an example that nice rarely comes around that often (at least in this area) so I'm considering pulling the trigger.

What are your thoughts?

lcoopie

maybe he has a buyer
do you have a pic?

phantom1701

Sorry, let me re-phrase the question.

The offer is for me to buy it from him for $1700. I realize now that my original question may have been a little confusing.

So I'm trying to decide whether or not to buy it for $1700 in MS62.

coinkat

all depends on what the coin looks like...

phantom1701

The coin was mostly white. The areas around the stars and rim seem a bit "darker" than the rest of the coin, both of the obverse and reverse. Can't tell if it's a carbon hazing or some type of toning.

If anyone has an image of a good 62 they can post I would love to have it for comparison.

greghansen

My May 2008 Qtr 2 Greysheet actually shows MS60 @ $825 and MS63 @ $2,000. There have been 4 sales of PCGS MS62 Square Base 2 CBH by Heritage since April 2008. Their prices have been all over as one might expect for this grade. The four final prices realized were, $1,380; $1,610; $1,840 & $1,955.

So it all depends on the coins eye appeal and how its meets your tastes. Doesn't look like your being taken to the cleaners though.

greghansen

If anyone has an image of a good 62 they can post I would love to have it for comparison.

Just go look at the images of the MS62 coins on Heritage Auctions site in their 'permanent auction archive'. You can look at quite a few MS62's, though I doubt how much your going to really be able to compare by photo images. That gives you zero idea how the coins surface react under a light, hence your going to learn very little about its luster characteristics. Guess its better than nothing though.

123cents

The price is certainly reasonable if it is a nice MS-62 example and you like it.

phantom1701

Not to mention that some coins sold through Heritage sell for a little less because the buyer is factoring in the total price of the coin with the buyer's fee.

So it's sounding like $1700 is in line with the current market.

Quarternut

Buy the coin, not the slab...

What I mean is that most Bust Halves in MS-60 to even MS-63 holders are in actuality high AU coins with very little rub on only the high points. The TPG's tend to slab a coin according to it's value instead of its actual grade.

So, the only way you can buy a coin like that is to decide what grade the coin is to you. Eye appeal is probably the most important thing. If it is a true UNC coin and not a "slider" uncirculated coin then it should garner a higher price. Even if it is a "slider" and it has great eye appeal then it still should garner a higher price.

My advice would be to look at Heritage's archives for 1827 common die marriages in PCGS MS-62 and see how they compare with the one you are looking at and then you can also see what they have really been selling for.

QN

greghansen

Not to mention that some coins sold through Heritage sell for a little less because the buyer is factoring in the total price of the coin with the buyer's fee.

Just so your clear, the prices I gave inclued the buyers premium...it wasn't just the hammer price; it was everything except shipping.