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Are the 1/2 cent proofs popular in the U.S...they all seem to be pretty scarce to very rare?
Matrix1980
Posts: 553 ✭
Like this one on Ebay:
Item number: 400332377516
Do not worry I do not want to buy it it is more for my brother once he decides to invest...I just want to know what to tell him regarding these coins before he does.
Item number: 400332377516
Do not worry I do not want to buy it it is more for my brother once he decides to invest...I just want to know what to tell him regarding these coins before he does.
0
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If your brother wants to learn about the series, I'd encourage that. Buy the books, talk to people who specialize in them. Learn how to grade them. Learn how to spot problem, net graded coins. Learn nuances between PCGS and NGC grading of these coins. See if you / he can find a mentor.
Then, and only then consider buying one. There are not cheap coins. You should know what you're doing before buying them. If not, you will be buried in an expensive coin. I've seen this happen hundreds of times.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
Thanks I will let him know. I guess he would be better with rare golden age comic books.
i really do have one site for you, subscribe immediately
http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com - the new one - link
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I became a member I think about a month ago but did not see this function this will HELP BIG TIME...thanks.
There are books on Half Cents. EAC people can give you references. I have Breen's book on the denomination, but EAC people are better informed on the series than I.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
here is the new coinfacts page for half cents
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First, a favorite saying I have heard about investing in Rare Coins;
So, how do you get to a million dollars investing in rare coins?
Start with two million dollars.
To the OP, I've stayed in the fray on your posts, only because I'm not sure you'd hear me anyway. I have read a lot of them though, and you do seem to talk a lot more than you listen (usually your threads are at least 50% of your own posts). Your excitement for the hobby is wonderful, but it's a long walk to where you probably want to be. A lot of REALLY knowledgable collectors have chimed in with some very reasonable comments, many of which you have then shown no regard, or worse.
Keep in mind what I just wrote about how to get to a million dollars in rare coins. The ONLY ones who get there now how to grade, and study, and search, and hunt ... and make all the right connections ... and wait and pass ... and pounce when that is the right action ... and even ones with all those skills don't always make out really well financially with coins. If they accquire truely special coins, or are really successful dealers and tarders, they probably have a better chance.
And when I say grading, I mean truely grading and understanding coins ... which is sort of forensics. Assessing eye appeal and surface qualities and color and focal points and wear characteristics ... not comparing plastic numbers. Knowing the difference between special and average, or POS as the case may be.
I hate to do this, but take your most recent newp. I think you're buried. I thought about being the first to comment last night, but figured it would just sound like a slam, and since I haven't seen the coin in hand, I could be wrong. Meat, yes, it does have some. But the surfaces look toast. The color is wonky. Wear wise it may be strong, but in EVERY other way it looks really weak. In fact, if it wasn't the date it is, it'd get the bag (or the gennie) I am almost sure. I am pretty sure most collectors who actually study and have learned the series wouldn't want it at all, but maybe some would at a bargin price, which I do not believe you paid. Maybe it's the picture. Unfortunately, I doubt it. Of course, many, many of us have made mistakes, especially in the begining.
You make comments about certain coins pricing as if matching the grade to the specific price guide is all the matters. It most certainly is not. You have a lot to learn, and if you were my brother I'd tell you to shut up and listen after you ask a question, and keep your wallet in you pants for a while until you can answer a few of them yourself.
If you own the Half Dollar you have spoken of, and I say IF, because I do not personally believe you do ... but wth do I know ... then you have a special coin. Based on some of the knowledge you have shown, you lucked into it (again, my wth do I know opinion). Whether or not you paid the right price will determine if it pans out as an investment.
Often times it's better to be lucky than good. Better still is to get good, so you know what lucky is.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
<< <i>So, how do you get to a million dollars investing in rare coins?
Start with two million dollars.
>>
that is classic.
I have yet to pay for the 1896-S I can still turn it down. Yes I do own the 1921 50 cent you mentioned (And would like to no longer discuss this coin here since the Webmaster has asked that it remain a U.S discussion site) and did so knowing the Canadian market very very well (and had the proper contacts and friends) compared to my skills with the U.S market. I guess I will open my ears more and just listen. Thanks.
By the way I did some bad purchases at 1st in Canada (paid some record prices for some rarer coins BUT when came time to trade I GOT full trade value for my coin or coins because like I say below almost no dealer will turn down say 80k in trade + say another 100k in cash...this are numbers just thrown around and non specific to this situation) and was able to get the 1921 50 cent by way of trade + cash at full price on ALL my coins (I now own only that Canadian coin and it will stay that way). So I did pretty good I must say (again in Canada and was bringing in that attitude towards U.S coins). Luck had nothing to do with it I knew how to position myself that did take skill and patience and a lot of work.
I will learn the U.S market like you said by slowing down and opining my ears way more!!! All the coins I have purchased so far have great eye appeal for the grade maybe the 1896-S is not one of them and maybe it is to a future buyer or buyers...now that would be a combination of luck and skill.
Some times threw chaos there becomes order!!! I am the chaos right now but I see that it can be turned to my advantage. My WHOLE life was that way a LOT of chaos and ALWAYS so far turned out MUCH better than most expected including myself some times (the luck factor).
Often if you want to buy say a 100k coin then the dealer will take all my lower grade coins at full guide and the rest cash this is how to get out if ever one does bad purchases earlier on as a collector. Almost no dealer will say no to 10k trade in coins and 90k in cash.
This is ALWAYS my long term goal to own 1-2 coins and stop there (and that for any given country)!! I do not need to own 50 coins I am not that type of collector I am just as happy to have 1 or 2 great coins than anything else. I could simply end up with say a 1933 10$ gold eagle coin and nothing else and have traded all my so called bad buys and cash and ended up with a world class rarity.
<< <i>I have one
That is one of my favorite coin images ever posted on this forum.
Now that is a nice one...the one on Ebay is just not attractive!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
With that said, if you are going to throw a few beans at them, stick with the Originals (large, fat berries on the wreath), and get them brown. Even slightly impaired ones are OK such as PF50BN. The reason why this is? They are more affordable, and will not be quite as subject to the environment.
I like them, even though I do not collect them.
One last thing, MAKE SURE THEY'RE REAL, and not real fakes.
Greg
Thanks!!! They where more for my brother but I guess he will simply stick with vintage comic books I will also stay away from them I prefer 1/2 cents from 1793 to 1811. What is your opinion on the 1831 1/2 cent? The original one I mean. By the way has your book on the 1/2 cents come out yet I would very much like to purchase one?
<< <i>halfcentman
Thanks!!! They where more for my brother but I guess he will simply stick with vintage comic books I will also stay away from them I prefer 1/2 cents from 1793 to 1811. What is your opinion on the 1831 1/2 cent? The original one I mean. By the way has your book on the 1/2 cents come out yet I would very much like to purchase one? >>
Since they are part of the Cohen variety set, even though I think they're proofs, you had better open up your wallet.
The Reiver specimen sold for $80.5K in 2006.
Are there a ''lot'' of people who collect 1/2 cents that try to collect the 1831 or do most just stay away from it?
<< <i>halfcentman
Are there a ''lot'' of people who collect 1/2 cents that try to collect the 1831 or do most just stay away from it? >>
Most collectors don't know anything about the 1831 half cents. If you count all of the original, first restrike and second restrike pieces that are probably 50 to 60 known. The coins tend to go into "strong hands" (collectors who hold on to their pieces for a long time and are under no financial needs to get the money out of them), and don't trade that often.
I used to collect half cents by die variety. At one time I had 11 of the 12 1804 half cent varieties. (There are 13 in Cohen's book, but one was de-listed because it is a die state of another variety.) There were about dozen examples known of the variety I needed at the time I wanted. One collector owned five of them, and other collector had three. I finally just gave up. There was no way those two collectors were going sell any of their pieces in the near future, and even if they did sell them I probably could not have afforded them.
Very good to know how that market is treated thanks!!
<< <i>I have one
Wow! I am dumbstruck! I gasped when I saw the images. Seriously.
If you like half cents here are two of my better ones which I have collected as type coins, 1794 and a 1795
This really is a Mint State coin although the date is a little weak. It is probabaly among the 10 finest known for the variety, Cohen - 1a.
Amd here a lettered edge 1795, Cohen - 1. This piece was struck in a fall of 1795. The plain edge pieces were struck in 1796. Lots of half cents were struck in 1796, but few of them were dated 1796.
As you can see the designs are quite different, but most collectors lump these and other minor designs from the period as "Liberty Cap" half cents.
Wow beautiful 1/2 cents for sure wish I had such coins!! Thanks for sharing. I see HLRC has a 1797 in PCGS G-04 but I find it a bit expensive for the grade but I find it to be a nice coin for a lower grade.