What Coin do You Regret Buying?
Goob
Posts: 266 ✭✭✭✭
We all make mistakes sometimes, right? No one is perfect. Sometimes we buy with intent, other times, due to impulse. What is one coin you wish you hadn't bought?
I know that there are similar posts to this, but from what I've seen it's usually along the lines of "what coins do you regret not buying?" So, that raises the question: what do you regret ACTUALLY buying?
For me it would be my 2010-S clad proof dime, graded PF69 UCAM by NGC. Birth year coins are cool and all but considering I already had a 2010 clad proof set as well as a 2010 SILVER proof set at that point, it just seemed like a pretty pointless purchase. It's a nice coin and all, but I had no reason to purchase it!
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- Someone, probably
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I can't find a picture of it but when I was first putting together my type set I bought an 1838 CBH in AU58. I paid 55 money for it... because it was dipped out and gross.
I learned a lot from that coin, particularly with help from this forum.
So, I am happy I had the learning experience as a silver lining. And I didn't lose that much money.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
My first bust dollar, 1799, looked like a nice raw vf (I don’t believe slabs were around then…) turned out to be a fake…. Spark erosion die, perhaps? Long time ago. On the other hand, it was also a valuable lesson….
There are others I somewhat regret, not because they weren’t worthy coins, but because my interests changed.
I nearly got drawn into buying those quarter rolls that released at the mint today. Glad I didn’t because I would regret those for sure. I don’t even like the design!
But to answer your question, my recent regret is the Army/Navy/Marine privy ASEs from the mint last year. At least they seem to have gone up in price, so I won’t lose money on them. But it will be a hassle to sell, wether online or at a local shop (where I would expect to lose money…)
I do like some modern mint stuff, like the silver Liberty medals. But there’s also a lot that they make which does not appeal to me at all, or which I find I just don’t enjoy after I buy it.
My main regrets are over having paid too much. There are a few pieces which I have upgraded, that I would like to sell, but I won't get much for them and would "take a bath" as they say.
Here's one of them.
I replaced it with this Proof. The window of opportunity to get a Proof of this type is really limited to couple of years.
Most of mine were years ago when I was working on completing an entire series set.
I paid strong money for some coins I never loved just to chase down “completion”.
A mistake I hope I wont make again.
None it particular come to mind, but I know the one's I wasn't happy with often got sold later, and they always seemed to help me refine my eye and my taste, so maybe I don't really regret them completely, even if they ended up not being for me and possibly cost me money in the long run.
In the days of coins purchased by images alone, like many transactions today, I always try to get a couple day inspection period so I can pass or play ... as if I was at a table and asked to see a coin from a dealer's case. I eat some postage costs now and then, but it's better than having a coin I'm not going to at least appreciate, if not love for a while.
Also, like @MEJ7070 I know sometimes I bought a coin that was specifically to fill a hole or a spot. That always seems to be a recipe for disaster unless I can like or love the coin first, and then can appreciate that it fits a hole or a spot after.
“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've bought a few that when they arrived, were much worse than I thought based on pictures, but I was able to move on from them quickly enough with minimal loss. I don't really have any regrets per se. Even the ugly ones taught me something.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
Low cost lesson. Bought an alleged racketeer nickel that was in an ICG slab and labelled as "genuine". Was it a gold plated Liberty Nickel? Yes. Was it from 1883? Well, the nickel was, but the plating was much more recently applied. Can't believe ICG reports these as genuine.
Casual collector slowly building a collection....
Was it labeled as "genuine racketeer nickel" or just "genuine". A gold plated coin would be properly graded genuine, regardless of when the plating was done.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I became aware of most of my “regrets” when I sold off the second iteration of my 7070 Type Set and realized I needed to improve my grading skills. Much of that regret came from purchasing coins I thought were XF–AU, but which were really VF. In a few cases, I knowingly bought details coins, but only at details-level prices. I didn’t keep images of those coins, but the selling process was an eye-opener and reinforced the importance of accurate grading.
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
I brought a 1919 ms 65, cac slq that I over paid for. Tuition paid
I’ve been collecting and buying since the mid-50s. Younger collectors have heard stories of the pre-slab era involving doctored and faked coins - all true. My first negative experience was a polished 2c sold to me as a proof by a local dealer. I was about 11. Next a whizzed Liberty nickel by another local dealer, sold as unc. As a young adult a fairly expensive seated half that had been cleverly doctored, and a 3c silver that had been doctored, all from dealers. Now, during the same period I bought many nice original coins that later graded at or above the “grade” represented by the sellers, honest dealers. The overriding lesson to me, in addition to specific potential issues to look for, is to know your dealer. I’ve applied this lesson to other collectibles as well. One cannot be an expert in all things one collects if one has varied interests. A trusted expert is essential when meaningful sums are involved.
There's only been a small handful I regretted buying, usually toners that looked great in the web images, but not as good when in hand. A few I did overpay a bit for (found that out at selling time) but the other ones I sold more than made up for it.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
Exactly - that was my lesson! :-)
Casual collector slowly building a collection....
Mistakes are part of learning and the process of becoming a better numismatist.
This coin did not grade as anticipated and I do not regret buying it. However, in looking back at this purchase. there is something to be learned/gained from the experience.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
A poor eBay transaction. The seller lived 400 miles away, sent the coin via Registered mail, and the coin arrived at my post office 22 days later during my field season and I couldn't get to the post office for another week. When I saw how pitted and ugly the coin was in hand, I asked for a refund, and it was denied. I was told I took too long to ask for a refund. The seller also made several false statements in the description of the coin and had low-resolution photos. He offered a $100 rebate to buy my favor, but I turned it down in order to give the guy the only negative I've ever given an eBay seller. He threw a small tantrum about it on eBay, and I considered driving to Atlanta and paying him a visit, hoping my physical presence would have helped his listening ability.
The first coin I ever bought. I've been broke ever since.
At the same time, though, my first purchase is also the the coin I least regret buying. It was the start of 60+ years of enjoyment.
This was a gimmie. Some one selling them to business' to people with not much knowledge in coins
I won't admit to how many rolls I purchased back in the day, but can anyone speculate when the 1989-P no-mint-mark quarter is going to worth $90. each again?
Thursday
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Please also provide the decade.
Thank you.
1855 Slanted 5's has been something of an odyssey... I wanted a "Knob on Ear" for my album and bid on this one:
It seemed like a medium brown color but turned out to have altered surfaces. It's my "chameleon copper coin" as it turns color depending on how you hold it... lol. Here's an updated picture:
I subsequently bought this one... not a Knob on Ear, but a different variety... I'll probably send this one to our hosts
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
Eventually 🤔
"Another day, another Collectors Universe forum scrolling session."
- Someone, probably
This one that arrived today, and is currently on its way back to the seller. Guess which are the sellers pics, and which are the ones I uploaded for the return.
Has a star been removed just left of top center on the obverse?
It's a recognized Newcomb variety... N-10. I believe struck from a filled die at star 6. Here's the coinfacts page and the auction label
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1855-1c-n-10-slanted-55-bn/406174
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
I can't think of any ... I've bought plenty of coins that maybe I shouldn't have, but I've learned something from all of them, and none of my blunders have been grievously expensive in the broad scheme of things. I've made more consequential errors elsewhere in life by far.
I Can't recall a certain purchase but more I sold too cheap.
I bought a 1944-S walking half in 65 OGH CAC. I paid up for it l, because I liked the strike and luster. It had an active spot that bothered me, though. Also, when I received it, the OGH was cracked on the stacking rim and there was sticker paper residue and glue that just wouldn’t come off. I sold it for half of what I had into it. I just wanted it out of my life…
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I effectively paid eBay graded prices for two raw early date Jefferson nickel proofs. I might get half my money back on them
Some time ago, when coins were certainly less expensive, I purchased an MS64RB 1909S VDB in an OGH sight unseen. When I received the coin and viewed it, it was presentable. A few months down the road, a small black spot appeared on the reverse wheat stalk and grew more so the following 3 months. I couldn’t keep it in my collection knowing it had a spot on the reverse wheat stalk, so I sold it back to the coin firm I purchased it from and I even made a $50.00 profit from it’s return.
I waaaaaaay overspent for an ASE because of a signature insert I was told was ‘one of a kind’…….and it was from a reputable dealer I had bought a lot of AGEs and ASEs from. Imagine my surprise when another, and another, and then another showed up with the same insert/autograph. The value went from $11K down to a couple thousand bucks with a few months. Needless to say he no longer gets my business…..
Many years ago when slabs didn't exist but crooked people did; I spent what was for me a small fortune on a Trio of Barber coins. All 3 were suppose to be high grade AU coins. All 3 were near worthless. It is only in the last few months I have revisited Barber coins. James
In retrospect, my local coin shop, circa 1975 or so? Total ripoffs. Couple about 60, very friendly. Cleaned coins as gem unc, etc…., in general taking advantage of young collectors. Every coin purchase from them was regrettable, but good education nonetheless.
Several decades ago, I purchased a damaged 1838-D $5. I never did like it. I kept it for several years and finally sold it for a profit.
.
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
A 1921 PEASE DOLLAR PROOF. IT WAS A STUNNING COIN!!
$ 800. AT THE 1975 ANA SHOW IN Los Angeles. BIG DEALER HAD IT.
I KEPT GOING BACK TO LOOK AT IT.
NEW TO COLLECTING, MAKING $ 10 K PER YEAR SO $800 WAS A LOT OF MONEY BACK THEN.
TODAY MAYBE WORTH 100 TIMES THAT.
The one I bid waaaaaaay too much on in an auction last week and now have to pay for.
Lol 🤣 Don’t you hate it when testosterone, ego and the ‘can’t live without it’ mindset take over and you have to be the ‘winner’ of the bidding war?!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Same. Add on to that the fact that my state is now collecting tax on coins and bullion, and my out the door price was a bit more than I’d factored in… 😂
It’s okay, that pain is temporary, and the coin is permanent.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
A pearl of wisdom for sure!
There have been a few, won't call them out singularly, but as a whole I just didn't like 'em. I sold them off and either replaced them with nicer ones, or realized I didn't miss them. The ones I keep are the reward for my judicious pruning over the years.
Man, am I glad I have NEVER done that! 🤪😂