Draw your own conclusions, two auctions, two coins, same grade, huge price difference

Barndog · January 25, 2015 1:30PM

I'm wondering if the difference between the prices realized on the ebay auction of each of these half dimes was due to something that is not obvious. Each coin was auctioned on ebay by the same seller in new PCGS holders. Each coin was graded MS62. Neither coin is rare (although the 1836 is an R4 die marriage and the 1835 is R1). The 1836 closed on 1/24 @ $475, the 1835 closed on 1/25 @ $596.
PCGS guide on each is $600

What was going on? Maybe:

-Buyer preferences for blast white, dipped coins (obviously, the 1835)
-Auction ending on Saturday night (1836) vs. auction ending on Sunday night (1835)
-Buyers believe the 1836 was not mint state

I am quite accustomed to retail pricing for MS62 capped bust half dimes in PCGS holders in the $600 range, so this is a puzzler.

TopographicOceans · January 25, 2015 2:15PM

There are a lot of variables on why coins sell for what they do.
Beside generic market forces there are personal preferences and timing.

Even modern 69 commemoratives trade for a range and they are all pretty much the same.

Classic coins can each have attributes that make them more unique, such as toning, and what one sells for at a given auction would change on the next one.

Every auction really boils down to just two bidders - the buyer and the underbidder.

291fifth · January 25, 2015 3:00PM

Thin market.

leothelyon · January 25, 2015 3:19PM

I have the tendency to bid higher on a 2nd coin when I lose out on the first.

amwldcoin · January 25, 2015 8:17PM

Shill bidder was greedier on Sunday night!

TwoSides2aCoin · January 25, 2015 9:26PM

I don't like the dipped look but it seems to bring more moey in the market. I could draw one conclusion: The one that appeals to me cost less in this example.

AngryTurtle · January 26, 2015 1:44AM

Barndog, in your experience does the price for MS62 trade in a tight range around the mean - you mention $600? My observation on coin pricing in general is that there is quite a range, even for the same coin, often 10 or 20%. My fist guess would be to attribute this range to that - simply random variation.

Barndog · January 26, 2015 1:55AM

<< <i>Barndog, in your experience does the price for MS62 trade in a tight range around the mean - you mention $600? My observation on coin pricing in general is that there is quite a range, even for the same coin, often 10 or 20%. My fist guess would be to attribute this range to that - simply random variation. >>

my experience tells me that the 1836 fell more than one standard deviation below the mean. Shouldn't have gone so cheaply. There's a "free $100" in there or close to it for whomever bought it if he/she wished to flip it.

CoinRaritiesOnline · January 26, 2015 2:04AM

Not a big enough difference for me to conclude anything other than random auction variability.

WaterSport · January 26, 2015 2:06AM

Did you look at the bidders?? Was a tinkle contest going on between a couple of bidders??

WS

DennisH · January 26, 2015 2:12AM

<< <i>Not a big enough difference for me to conclude anything other than random auction variability. >>

I agree.

messydesk · January 26, 2015 5:03AM

Ebay -- 'tis a silly place.

BillJones · January 26, 2015 5:21AM

I am not a big fan of the reverse on the 1836 half dime. From the picture I'd like to look at the surfaces with a 10X glass to see if they have been etched by the toning. If they have been I'd pay less for that coin that I would for the one has been dipped.

lasvegasteddy · January 26, 2015 7:40AM

the 1835....looks to have upgrade potential or bean worthyness...looks to have luster
the 1836....not so much...just looks flat

my guess here

roadrunner · January 26, 2015 8:21AM

Great Southern Coin. We've talked about them before.

coindeuce · January 26, 2015 8:36AM

I would not buy from GSC without having prior opportunity to physically examine anything they have for sale.

rmpsrpms · January 26, 2015 8:44AM

The lighting is very different between these two images. The 1835 was shot with very vertical/near-axial lighting, and this emphasizes the coin's bright surfaces, but also emphasizes that the coin is nearly dipped-out. I see very little luster potential. On the other hand, the 1836 was shot with lighting at a much lower angle, making it look dark in comparison with the 1835. The side lighting shows a bit of a luster bar, so this coin has some potential. The coin also looks to have some nice coloration, but the lighting technique does not show the deep toning coloration at all.

Assuming these CBHDs should command "commodity" pricing (I am going by the OP's contention here) then I think the difference in prices realized may be simply due to the old adage "better picture, better price".

FullStrike · January 26, 2015 8:56AM

<< <i>There are a lot of variables on why coins sell for what they do.
Beside generic market forces there are personal preferences and timing.

Even modern 69 commemoratives trade for a range and they are all pretty much the same.

Classic coins can each have attributes that make them more unique, such as toning, and what one sells for at a given auction would change on the next one.

Every auction really boils down to just two bidders - the buyer and the underbidder. >>

Or the sucker bidder and the tricky shiller.

Draw your own conclusions, two auctions, two coins, same grade, huge price difference

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