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Lets talk a little about collecting SCDs and SC Halves
Bear
Posts: 18,953 ✭✭✭
This is a fascinating aspect of coin collecting even they are not
really coins. There are easily tens of thousands of them and the
designs can range from the exotic to the mundane. There are a
number of things about these round pieces of metal that new
collectors should keep in mind.
If the SCDs are not listed in the HK book, it is very difficult for a newbie
to fathom rarity or price so here are some hints:
1.Other then out and out rarities, the key to collecting is condition...condition
condition...No body wants to collect SCD or SC Halves with dings, pealing gilt,
or worn down to a frazzle.
2. Rarity of these pieces may be one or more of the following
a. Metal composition....often these collectibles were minted from 3-4 different metals
or more. Often, one or two of the metal compositions are much rarer then the others.
Ofter the rarest is made of the most valuable composition such as gold or silver but not
always.
b. The SCD or SC Half may if itself be a small issue and thus rare.
c. Condition rarity. One of these collectibles may have been made in large numbers but
due to wide distribution and wear, a truly choice, gem or superb gem are reality hard to
find and thus rare.
3. Value...Because an item is rare does not always mean that it is valuable. Value is a combination
of demand + scarcity + condition. Now even if a SCD is listedin the bible by Hibler and Kappen, the
value of these are somewhat nebulous. Prices were run up 5 fold in the past 7 years and last year
some of the air was let out of the balloon. The Value of these collectibles is really what someone is
willing to pay for them. There is no gray sheet or blue sheet and any price list is outdated by the time
of its printing and is often non specific as to grade.
Those that know the price structure will not reveal it as such knowledge is hard won and is considered
privileged information. The only way to create your own notations on rarity and pricing is to track auctions
and sales of such items for a while. Make nots as to grade, price and number of times the item is placed for
auction or sale.
You will find the SCD or half in the same grade and appearance sell for 15 dollars or 50 dollars. It depends
on the amount of testosterone present among two or more bidders. Gain knowledge thru observation before
spending any serious money. To do so is to lose every time. "Ignorance goeth before a big loss".
Be careful of rigged auctions where the price is being run up on you by friends of the seller. When SCD OR Half
goes beyond what you studies have shown to be the appropriate range it is best to sit back and merely observe.
CONDITION.....Many sellers will list raw SCD or Halves and state it is gem or BU. It may or may not be the case.
read the information carefully, the return instructions and view the picture carefully. Many dealers are consistent
in there accurate descriptions and grading' but a number are truly loosey goosey. Learn who the good and decent
sellers are and try to stick with them. They will always make every effort to insure that you are pleased with the
transaction. Not all SCDs or Halves are graded by NGC but many are. Since a lot of these collectibles sell for 15-30
dollars, it is not always cost effective to have them graded.
Sometimes, I make an evaluation on what I think a SCD or Half is, price wise and rarity wise. Sometimes I win and
sometimes I lose. But that is the game on these collectibles.
Good luck and Happy Hunting!
really coins. There are easily tens of thousands of them and the
designs can range from the exotic to the mundane. There are a
number of things about these round pieces of metal that new
collectors should keep in mind.
If the SCDs are not listed in the HK book, it is very difficult for a newbie
to fathom rarity or price so here are some hints:
1.Other then out and out rarities, the key to collecting is condition...condition
condition...No body wants to collect SCD or SC Halves with dings, pealing gilt,
or worn down to a frazzle.
2. Rarity of these pieces may be one or more of the following
a. Metal composition....often these collectibles were minted from 3-4 different metals
or more. Often, one or two of the metal compositions are much rarer then the others.
Ofter the rarest is made of the most valuable composition such as gold or silver but not
always.
b. The SCD or SC Half may if itself be a small issue and thus rare.
c. Condition rarity. One of these collectibles may have been made in large numbers but
due to wide distribution and wear, a truly choice, gem or superb gem are reality hard to
find and thus rare.
3. Value...Because an item is rare does not always mean that it is valuable. Value is a combination
of demand + scarcity + condition. Now even if a SCD is listedin the bible by Hibler and Kappen, the
value of these are somewhat nebulous. Prices were run up 5 fold in the past 7 years and last year
some of the air was let out of the balloon. The Value of these collectibles is really what someone is
willing to pay for them. There is no gray sheet or blue sheet and any price list is outdated by the time
of its printing and is often non specific as to grade.
Those that know the price structure will not reveal it as such knowledge is hard won and is considered
privileged information. The only way to create your own notations on rarity and pricing is to track auctions
and sales of such items for a while. Make nots as to grade, price and number of times the item is placed for
auction or sale.
You will find the SCD or half in the same grade and appearance sell for 15 dollars or 50 dollars. It depends
on the amount of testosterone present among two or more bidders. Gain knowledge thru observation before
spending any serious money. To do so is to lose every time. "Ignorance goeth before a big loss".
Be careful of rigged auctions where the price is being run up on you by friends of the seller. When SCD OR Half
goes beyond what you studies have shown to be the appropriate range it is best to sit back and merely observe.
CONDITION.....Many sellers will list raw SCD or Halves and state it is gem or BU. It may or may not be the case.
read the information carefully, the return instructions and view the picture carefully. Many dealers are consistent
in there accurate descriptions and grading' but a number are truly loosey goosey. Learn who the good and decent
sellers are and try to stick with them. They will always make every effort to insure that you are pleased with the
transaction. Not all SCDs or Halves are graded by NGC but many are. Since a lot of these collectibles sell for 15-30
dollars, it is not always cost effective to have them graded.
Sometimes, I make an evaluation on what I think a SCD or Half is, price wise and rarity wise. Sometimes I win and
sometimes I lose. But that is the game on these collectibles.
Good luck and Happy Hunting!
There once was a place called
Camelot
Camelot
0
Comments
<< <i>The only way to create your own notations on rarity and pricing is to track auctions >>
Hard to do if a piece has not bin up for auction since the 1990's.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
<< <i>.No body wants to collect SCD or SC Halves with dings, pealing gilt, or worn down to a frazzle. >>
I don't mind a few problems. Keeps cost down, which is entirely appropriate as SCDs are a rather minor area of my interest.
I wondered if I would be the only one to read it for a while.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>So tell me Bear, are you the one that tried to outsnipe me for the HK-8 ?
Don't you already own a HK-8
<< <i>
<< <i>So tell me Bear, are you the one that tried to outsnipe me for the HK-8 ?
Don't you already own a HK-8
But then, you may be thinking of the 63 mm size that is also in my collection.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Lance.
Hoard the keys.
He sure knew his stuff, and few could express themselves better.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com