Tracking down a coin...

daOnlyBG · May 5, 2013 6:01AM

OK, I put this up on the darkside forum (as the topic features a darkside coin), but I thought I'd ask this forum as well, as the crux of the question deals with buying/collecting in general.

Essentially, here's my issue: there's a coin I'd really like to track down. It's the 1855-A French Anchor 5 Centimime. There's a gorgeous example on eBay in MS63, with population 2/1. Unfortunately, it has a hit on the chin, and although its picture is absolutely stunning on the PCGS coinfacts (and on ebay), I think that hit on the chin is much too distracting. There's only one graded at MS64, and.. I have no idea how to find it.

Does anyone here have any suggestions for tracking down such coins? I checked eBay and Heritage, but that didn't help. Perhaps there's an expert in this particular field? Just curious what your approaches may be.

Here's a link to the old thread.

CoinRaritiesOnline · May 5, 2013 6:04AM

Contact dealers who specialize in this area. Even if they cannot locate the specific example you are seeking, perhaps they have or could locate others.

Broadstruck · May 5, 2013 6:38AM

It's a pretty common coin and quite affordable in raw unc so maybe the pop is low as not many have even bothered submitting them.
Why not just find the nicest raw unc you can locate that betters what your seeing in slabs and make your own?

daOnlyBG · May 5, 2013 6:41AM

<< It's a pretty common coin and quite affordable in raw unc so maybe the pop is low as not many have even bothered submitting them.
Why not just find the nicest raw unc you can locate that betters what your seeing in slabs and make your own? >>

Good idea. Unfortunately I haven't seen many of these at my local coin shows in the Chicagoland area, but I'll look harder when I attend my first ANA show this August. If they are still very common to find, I'll keep looking-hopefully I'll find one with great toning. Thanks!

Edscoin · May 5, 2013 6:54AM

This same coin sold in march.
Ebay

CoinRaritiesOnline · May 5, 2013 6:59AM

<< Unfortunately I haven't seen many of these at my local coin shows in the Chicagoland area, but I'll look harder when I attend my first ANA show this August. >>

I think you are waaaaay more likely to find one of these via some online searches than in a coin shop or at a show.

Jcarney · May 5, 2013 7:10AM

Look at it this way....there are 3 (well, in the pops, anyway) MS63 and above. The coin you mentioned is one of those three (but you're not thrilled with it). What do you think the chances are of one of the other two becoming available (to you). Buy it. If one of the others become available, buy that. Until then you'll still have (in your words, a gorgeous example) one.

There, that wasn't hard, was it.

OK, just looked at the ebay auction. I don't think I could deal with that hit on the cheek, so disregard everything I said.

Broadstruck · May 5, 2013 7:20AM

<< This same coin sold in march.
Ebay >>

See this one was once in the Chicagoland area and based on what it sold for after all the plastification fees it shows how common it is.

daOnlyBG · May 5, 2013 7:21AM

<< Look at it this way....there are 3 (well, in the pops, anyway) MS63 and above. The coin you mentioned is one of those three (but you're not thrilled with it). What do you think the chances are of one of the other two becoming available (to you). Buy it. If one of the others become available, buy that. Until then you'll still have (in your words, a gorgeous example) one.

There, that wasn't hard, was it.

OK, just looked at the ebay auction. I don't think I could deal with that hit on the cheek, so disregard everything I said. >>

I know, right? What bugs me more is that the seller bought it for $60-something in an auction in early March right before listing it on eBay for a profit at $225. He's trying to get a $165 profit on something with a deep gash... I'd pay what he wanted if that cut didn't exist, just to have such beautifully toned copper in my collection.
Oh well!

LochNESS · May 5, 2013 7:25AM

Have you tried coinarchives.com?

Edscoin · May 5, 2013 7:28AM

That hit don't look so bad on this picture!
That's a nice coin. I agree if I wanted one I would buy it. That 64 would be hard pressed to beat this one!
Nice!

daOnlyBG · May 5, 2013 7:50AM

<< That hit don't look so bad on this picture!
That's a nice coin. I agree if I wanted one I would buy it. That 64 would be hard pressed to beat this one!
Nice! >>

Aye, it is nice- but again, that scratch is just way too much of a distraction. I'll keep looking at other French coins for now- maybe another one will turn up someday.

sniocsu · May 5, 2013 7:54AM

<< Contact dealers who specialize in this area. Even if they cannot locate the specific example you are seeking, perhaps they have or could locate others. >>

This. It may cost more from them. But it will be what you are looking for.

daOnlyBG · May 5, 2013 7:56AM

<< It may cost more from them. But it will be what you are looking for. >>

You're right. If I like the coin, and the price is within reason (i.e., they're not asking $50,000 for it), then sure, I'd pay the premium. When the coin's of a rare population anyway, the price one pays tends to set the standard- especially with a pop. 1/0 coin. Thing is, as Broadstruck pointed out, there might be a lot out there that haven't been graded, so if someone decides to send one in and gets a grade of MS65... then I guess I'd be with a loss, lol. Either way, I'm going to keep my eyes peeled. If I don't see one that I like, maybe I'll revisit this one. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

keyman64 · May 5, 2013 8:00AM

I have a couple of specific coins I want tracked down when I have the cash so I understand where you are coming from. Good Luck.

What CoinRaritiesOnline said for sure!

Tracking down a coin...

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