Post The Rarest Coin That You've Purchased "Raw" in the PCGS Era

GeorgeKellogg

I think we all consider it at least somewhat risky to purchase an uncertified rare coin (say with an estimated surviving population of 500 or fewer). Part of this is due to the suspicion that most rare coins have been previously submitted for certification (and that the uncertified coin under consideration came back in a "body bag"). The "Genny" holder has changed the dynamics of this situation a bit (as an alternative to the "body bag").

Here is the rarest coin that I've ever purchased uncertified in the PCGS Era. It's the very rare 1855-D quarter eagle, which I found on the bourse floor during the 2003 ANA in Baltimore. CoinFacts estimates that 60 pieces survive in all grades. The piece was submitted for Show Service to our host and came back F12. The coin has honest wear and original surfaces. Even though it is one of the lowest graded coins in my collection, it's one of my favorites. The photography is courtesy of BluCC.

AnkurJ

PCGS VG8 CAC. LM7 R6.

rays

I have bought a handful of five-figure coins raw, this is the rarest, out of a Stack's auction a few years ago:

1834 Large 8 Lg St Med Lt N-5 R5:



A couple of others:

1799 S-189 R2:



1793 Liberty Cap S-13 R4:

coinsarefun

Quite a few coins. A few Walkers, a few Morgans, Jeffersons, Roosevelt dimes and Kennedy's.
Probably more, just can't remember.

Most of which I no longer own and a few I still do own.



Edit to add.....most were condition rarities others were varieties

rhedden

I have numerous entries in this contest of uncertified numismatic gambling, but the best "rare" raw purchase was an 1822 25/50C quarter in nice, non-cleaned VG that I picked up at greysheet Bid before Bust quarters heated up. There are only a few dozen of these in existence- optimistically. I still haven't submitted it, but I'd expect it to grade problem-free.

JCMhouston

I still purchase quite a few raw coins in Europe and the UK and send them in for grading, mine are all British and German of course. Now keep in mind you can't really use the numbers graded as absolute numbers since so many European collectors haven't gotten around to slabbing. However the numbers do give a feel for relative rarity.

1713/2 Shilling, not really rare but scarce enough, total of 4 graded



1723 Shilling with French arms at date, very rare, the only one graded, ESC suggests perhaps 10-20 known in collectible condition



1787 Pattern Sixpence, bordering on being rare, total of 3 graded, perhaps 50-75 or so known



1791 Pattern Sixpence in copper, this is pretty rare, the only one graded, a small handful known

JRocco

This is the 1824/21 O-102 an R5+ variety.

Let me quote Edgar Souders in his book "Bust Half Fever"
" In all of numismatics I doubt there are fifty to sixty of these existent-attributed or otherwise. "

JRocco

Another raw purchase
1806/5 O-104a R5
Estimated 45-65 known in this die state

lusterlover

Bought this raw. PR 64BN. Also bought a PR 1910 raw at the same time but that has since been moved on for an upgrade.

darktone

Many generic gold coins in MS grades from 62-65 for not much more than melt. Many $5 Indians this way. 1891cc $10 that graded ms62 for $350 was a good one. Lafayette dollar for $250 that graded 64 is one of my favorites. I like my roll of MS 1902 Indians that I got for $1500 a few years ago. I don't think stuff like this cab be found much anymore.

BillJones

I bought this 1796 half dime thinking that it could be graded. It came back in a body bag. It is one of a few mistakes I've made over the last decade.

BigMoose

PCGS cert.#s 20383875, 20383876 and 20383877, purchased in 1996, 2000 and 2002, all raw. Finally had them graded last year.

ctf_error_coins

Very nice raw and rare 6 cent piece.

Bought this raw of of ebay

RichieURich

<< <i>I bought this 1796 half dime thinking that it could be graded. It came back in a body bag. It is one of a few mistakes I've made over the last decade.

>>



Looks pretty nice to me. I wouldn't consider this a mistake.

keyman64

There are only 4 graded at PCGS with the highest being MS63. This might be a new Top Pop or tied for Top Pop once I send it in.

Walkerguy21D

Besides a 1793 Liberty Cap cent sold to our recently-returned member AnkurJ, that later certified Genuine at our hosts
(as we both hoped it would!), there are these:

TwoSides2aCoin

It's modern, and it was risky because there've been some known to not have these tailfeathers in the original package.
I think there are still fewer than 100 known. About 60 at PCGS and not sure at NGC , ICG , ANACS.
Photo courtesy of PCGS
There are supposedly 5500, but where ?

19Lyds

<< <i>

It's modern, and it was risky because there've been some known to not have these tailfeathers in the original package.
I think there are still fewer than 100 known. About 60 at PCGS and not sure at NGC , ICG , ANACS.
There are supposedly 5500, but where ? >>

That was a HUGE risk as I do not believe that there were 5,500 made. There were 5,500 "packages" made but definitely not 5,500 of these!

DDR

1878-CC Trade dollar, chopmarked. Now in a PCGS holder, EF-45. Purchased raw. On eBay. (That's right, a rare Trade Dollar purchased raw on eBay.)

ranshdow

I like that '55 D alot.

I've got an 1802 cent, S-230, F15+. Sorry no pics.

tradedollarnut

TennesseeDave

Rarest and still most expensive raw coin purchase was an 1873-CC Trade $ from an E-bay seller/Later graded XF-40 at Pcgs and is worth about 2X what I paid.







edited to add a pic.

boiler78

This ms 63 1803 large 3 Bust dollar at the Eliasberg sale in 97

lkeigwin

Picked it up on ebay several years back. Resides in a Dansco.
Lance.

Nic

K

CharlotteDude

PCGS AU-58 - purchased raw at a Baltimore show in 2008.



'dude

JJM

not really rare, but a nice raw grab at the time....graded vf20

Walkerguy21D

There are some truly astounding coins being posted in this thread!

Lakesammman

T. Reid $5, but I bought it from a reputable dealer.

Staircoins

I feel like I've posted this coin on the forums too many times (and in fact unfortunately I no longer own it). But since you asked ...

I was very pleased to pick up this 1848-D/D half eagle raw in an estate auction raw a few years ago. It was in a 2x2 marked "1848-D VF". I sent it to PCGS, where it slabbed as an AU53, and then to CAC, where it stickered gold.

Just 35 examples are estimated to exist in all grades, with PCGS having certified just 15.


(Photo by BluCCVette)

Cameonut

Found in an unopened proof set - true story. Mintage unknown but pops are low.

AnkurJ

You guys have more guts than me! Boiler and Charlotte, y'all win!

ambro51

Ex Q David Bowers. 1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cent Low 119, and probably HT265. Which is "unknown" as all other Low 119s are proof issues designated at HT265a, there are six or seven known, but as far as I can tell this non proof HT265 is Unique.

bidask

Purchased raw at the 2010 FUN.

Baley

not sure.

maybe this one