What was your best Raw Coin Purchase

Kyle

A few months ago I picked up a 1879-S morgan dollar from a seller on eBay. The listing had really poor, over exposed scans of the coin, but I didn't see too many marks so I decided to go for it (The seller offered a full refund, so I figured I might as well go for it - worst case scenario I lose the couple of bucks it would have cost me to ship it back).

Here are the scans that the seller had used it the listing.




When I got the coin in hand, I was quite surprised with how nice the coin actually was. It had very few major contact marks, and the fields were quite reflective. It also has a very subtle purple toning in the fields on the obverse.

Here is my picture of the coin.



I also made this short video, showing the reflectivity.

Video

I ended up selling the coin raw to someone on another forum, that I frequent. He got the coin graded, and told me he would let me know the grade when he got it.

The coin received a MS-66 (No PL - I was surprised by that) by PCGS.

Post your stories of a coin(s) that you bought raw, and got graded by PCGS. (Could be a grade you weren't expecting, an old cleaning you weren't aware of, undergraded, etc.)


I still some what regret selling that coin. But - My favorite part of this wonderful hobby is the thrill of the hunt!

morgansforever

Certainly looks PL to me, nice frosty look too.

AUandAG

That was very nice and a good pick.
I, on the other hand, bought a nice GEM Norse Medal (raw) from a dealer on ebay that said it was better
than his MS63 PCGS or his MS64 PCGS Norse medals. Excellent feedback and seems to know what he was
talking about. I know nothing of Norse medals.
Bought and sent to PCGS, will get it back tomorrow as AU58......

Hmmmm, you did much better than I!

bob

LindeDad

Went to my first coin show.
Purchased a RAW VF CBH for $135.00.

About six months later sent it to PCGS for grading came back as this...AU53

Tookybandit

Bought an 1896s Barber Quarter for $600

It graded PCGS G06
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Kyle

Great looking coin LindeDad! How many years ago did you buy it as a VF?

Broadstruck

All my raw purchases are still raw

ElmerFusterpuck

I've done OK with a few of mine, all submitted by me:

1941-D 1c, bought as raw BU for $1, graded PCGS MS-67 RD
1955-D 5c, bought as raw BU for 25 cents, graded PCGS MS-66
1967 25c, bought as raw BU for $1, graded PCGS MS-67
1943 50c, bought as raw BU for $30, graded PCGS MS-66
1840 Seated $1, bought as raw VF for $275, graded PCGS XF-45

Even after grading fees and postage, that's not too shabby!

fivecents

Bought raw ended up grading PCGS MS64:

coinsarefun

Purchased raw and now resides in a MS66 holder

lkeigwin

I bought this raw on ebay. Graded 65BN with PCGS (which was silly conservative). I would have kept it but I really didn't need it and another forum member was happy to pay a fair price.
Lance.

Weiss

Bought raw as XF...

Raybo

I need purchase prices from the last four posters.

coinsarefun

This was purchased raw at a local coin show.

Goldbully

Not my best.....but close.

Bought this proof IHC raw as BU for $135 at a tiny local coin show.

Graded PR64RB with PCGS......needless to say I was shocked,

coinsarefun

although darsiders, both were purchased raw on ebay

acloco

Purchased an IHC out of the coin dealers junk bin for a dollar. Took it back to same dealer, advising it is an 1877. They said no. 6 month later, at the very beginning of the Hunt brother silver ride, I traded for $75 face value of silver quarters. Waited three months, gave my wife half the money and purchased my 1911 S Lincoln in MS63RB & 1914 D Lincoln in XF40 with the rest. I still have both Wheat Cents............

coinsarefun

I picked the coin up originally raw for $6 holdered into a MS67FB, sold to bear for $600
and re-holdered into a MS67+fb...... now the price guide is $3,500. The next step up is MS68FB and auction price is $7,700

Elcontador

I started collecting coin in the 60s, so everything was raw. Here are a few of them which worked out well, and one which is currently in process
1) 36 S Walker. Paid $35 for it. Coin is now in a PC 6 holder with a sticker
2) Got an 1884 CC GSA Morgan in the grab-bag "pay $45 and we'll ship you an Unc. Morgan CC $" which is now in a PC 6 holder.
3) In process - Got a roll of late date RD Wheatbacks in the 1970s. Paid $2 for it. Is currently being graded. We'll see how this turns out.

BryceM

I buy almost nothing raw, except for bullion. I made an exception for a nice 1921 Peace dollar. I bought it for $50. Grades just posted at AU58. Not huge, but I graded it a 53/55.

silverpop

UtahCoin

I guess it depends on how you define best. I picked off an R7 Half Dime for a couple hundred bucks and have turned down high 4 figure offers. Bought a raw Washington quarter for $27 and sold it for $2500. Got a 1914-D G-4 Lincoln out of a bag of wheat cents, and a 1916-D and 2 1942/1 Mercury dimes out of junk silver.

But I've been doing this for several decades.

GeorgeKellogg

Here are a few of my favorite raw coin purchases. I'm not counting the raw coins that I bought before the advent of PCGS in 1986. All photos are courtesy of BluCC.

I purchased this piece directly from the Bowers & Merena auction of the Norweb Collection in 1988.



This piece I bought raw from Jack Hanc0€k in 1994; earlier from Doug Winter. It's from the George Walton Collection, of 1913 Liberty Head Nickel fame. I also have the auction envelope from the Stack's Walton Collection Duplicates sale of June 1963.



This is the only Dahlonega love token that I've found for sale in my 32 years as a Dahlonega specialist. I bought it on the bourse at a Baltimore show in 2004.

Shamika

All you guys SUCK!!!

jom

Bought this raw from Stack's table (from John Burnham (sp?) ...anyone remember John?) at Long Beach about 18 years ago. Bought as a gem and later graded MS65 by PCGS.



jom

Kyle

A lot of very nice coins so far.

Wabbit2313

I bought this one step below raw, it was in a SEGS holder.

relicsncoins

Technically, my ANACS photo certificate coins are raw, as they were graded but not encapsulated. I have made some serious scores with them. Too many to name here.

robkool

I've actually bought quite a few great raw purchases over the years... But the best one so far has to be that original problem free 1892 s Barber half in G04 that I picked up off the bid board for $3 bucks from a local B & M dealer. I never sent it in, but it still resides in my Dansco album.

JJM

plucked raw for $55 at a show in Boston, crappy pics, seafoam green on the
Obv, all kinds of crazy colors / patterns on the rev

a real stunner in hand

WingedLiberty1957

Kyle

<< <i>I bought this one step below raw, it was in a SEGS holder. >>


Nice. What did SEGS have it graded as?



<< <i>plucked raw for $55 at a show in Boston, crappy pics, seafoam green on the Obv, all kinds of crazy colors / patterns on the rev a real stunner in hand >>


Nice Pick

kryptonitecomics

I bought a 1963-D Franklin half on Ebay for around melt...so about $5 at the time and I sent it in to NGC just because of the toning and it came back MS66FBL.

Wabbit2313

<< <i>I bought a 1963-D Franklin half on Ebay for around melt...so about $5 at the time and I sent it in to NGC just because of the toning and it came back MS66FBL. >>




SWEET! Percentage wise, I think you are in the lead!

Wabbit2313

<< <i>

<< <i>I bought this one step below raw, it was in a SEGS holder. >>


Nice. What did SEGS have it graded as?

>>




MS65 DMPL, no attribution. In my experience, generally SEGS are cleaned or altered surfaces on the "nicer" coins still in their holders. Now before the SEGS lovers start throwing stones, I am talking about coins that would be worth 5-10 grand if they were really the coin SEGS says they are. The common date MS64 or so coins all look right to me.

Zrider

What does it take to get a PL ... nice 79 op

Wabbit2313

<< <i>What does it take to get a PL ... nice 79 op >>



Did you ever see the movie, "The Devil's Advocate"? It might be your only option.

AnkurJ

Here are two of mine. I probably wouldnt have the guts to do this today.

Purchased for my Dansco 7070 where it resided for about 6 years before being submitted for grading. Many said it was not a proof.



Purchased from Dick Osburn in 2007.

CoinRaritiesOnline

A lot to like in this thread, but I L-O-V-E that Feuchtwanger.

tradedollarnut

A tie between these two:

Colorfulcoins

1954-P Rosy Dime, paid $4, graded PCGS MS67FB and sold for $500
1954-P roll in old Mehrig plastic roll (had to boil it to get coins out), paid $50 for roll ($1/coin), one coin graded PCGS MS67 and sold for $600

1947-S Rosy Dime, paid $15, initially graded PCGS MS67, crossed to NGC as MS67*FB, upgraded to NGC MS68FB* and sold for several thousand

The list goes on and on...

ebaybuyer

i thought the general concensus around here was that if its isnt in a slab there must be something wrong with it.....

jom

Bought this from James Garcia in 2011 Now PCGS 50 CAC...sold it though.



Bought this in an ICG 68FB holder, cracked out and sent to PCGS and got same grade. Kinda....sorta...raw...sold it also.



jom

Veep

Attended a country auction a few years ago and bought a $10 Indian for $750 and a 1941-S Walker for $150. Both came back MS65. I flipped them for $4,350 and $1,375 respectively.

erickso1

The first one is my favorite. Bought raw on Ebay, graded 66. The second one I bought raw on Ebay from Shane. Still raw today.


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Kyle

<< <i>Attended a country auction a few years ago and bought a $10 Indian for $750 and a 1941-S Walker for $150. Both came back MS65. I flipped them for $4,350 and $1,375 respectively. >>



Pictures?

jerseycat101

Bought this as an AU on eBay for $90.

Now lives in an NGC 64+ holder.

ModCrewman

Hands down that would be my 1968-S PR70 DCAM Roosevelt dime...bought in a $8 proof set...I figure cost per coin at $2. Sold this past week for a lot more than that.

Kyle

<< <i>Hands down that would be my 1968-S PR70 DCAM Roosevelt dime...bought in a $8 proof set...I figure cost per coin at $2. Sold this past week for a lot more than that. >>


I seen that thread about the coin. Congrats!

michiganboy

My best so far ended up being a raw 1872 seated dollar. Seller had it marked as a AU business strike on ebay, came back PR63.

erwindoc

I picked a really nice 42P nickel from local B&M for a few bucks. It had very attractive colors on it and was well struck. It went for grading and came back as MS67 5FS!! I don't collect Jefferson's beyond my album but I sold it to a collector that did.