Newp! Finally got the 1851-O Trime I've Wanted Since I was a Kid!
airplanenut
Posts: 22,735 ✭✭✭✭✭
I think it's fair to say that my want list is a mix coins that have some level of universal popularity/interest, and coins that I just happen to want. This coin falls into the first bucket. Back when I first started collecting (in elementary school), I remember the idea of a three cent silver of any kind being a stretch. After all, a low-grade common date might be 20 bucks, and I didn't have 20 bucks. But in addition to wanting a three cent silver in general, the one issue with the ridiculously large and prominently located mintmark--from a less than common mint, no less!--was one I really wanted. But I wasn't the only one who was intrigued by the funny mintmark, and combined with a small surviving population, it was significantly pricier coin.
Over the years I've picked up some trimes, a circulated example or two for my 7070, and a colorfully toned uncirculated example I got back in college and still love. But the 1851-O has remained elusive. In the last few years I've spent more time looking for one, knowing that an uncirculated example was more than I wanted to spend and a lot of mid to upper circulated examples, when they appear, just aren't that nice. With so few examples coming up for sale and quality being all over the place, putting a price on a coin is also tricky.
This coin popped up on eBay a couple weeks ago, and with some lustre remaining and what appeared to be nice, original surfaces, it was way better than any similarly graded examples that have popped up in a long while. I had a question for the seller which led to a short conversation, and that was followed by an offer he accepted. The package got an extended tour of the Seattle USPS sort, but finally showed up a few days ago. And now I own a coin that I've wanted for around 3/4 of my life.
PCGS AU50, and holdered before the prongs came along to ruin the viewing experience of a small coin.
Comments
nice O-ne
Very nice coin!
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That one has been on my want list forever too, congratulations!
Congrats, I would love to have an UNC example one day myself.
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Congrats on finally obtaining one! The trime I wanted for a long time was the 1855. I finally got one that was in rough shape a couple of years ago.
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I've always liked the mint mark on these and awesome crusty look to it as well. Congrats!
A local shop had one of those recently in NGC MS66. Expensive key date.
I really like this type in Unc, much more so than the later variants because there’s something about the smooth/soft design versus the sharper corners that came later, combined with the frosty luster they can have. I’d also like a 64/65, but as a type coin, the 1851-O is something like 5x as expensive, so I divorced those two wants. There have been some choice/gem 1851-O’s available, but right now, that kind of money is still reserved for something that’s much more than simply a “neat” coin.
When I was a kid back in the late 1960's I bought an 1851-O from my great aunt who got it in change years before. It would probably grade VG or so. I sold it later. That is one coin that I wish that I still had.
Nice circulated example! ++ coolness factor. I binged on a 64 from Reeded Edge a few years ago.
Congrats! That’s a very attractive looking piece.
A pretty nice type coin but it is over graded by a lot.It is VF at best. I have 4 of them and here is a picture of a couple.
Open in a new window to see the pic. in full size.
Love this issue as well. I’ve included a circulated example in my expanded type set. The cool factor of a one-and-done, the prominent mm on the reverse. Whet’s not to love?
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I see a somewhat weak strike (which is typical for this type).
But I also see some luster and I would grade it AU50.
I'll buy your "VF".
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Me too. Details, but just wanted one.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I do agree with 1946Hamm that it appears a bit overgraded... however lets not yuck the yum congrats on your pickup
As a young collector I wanted one too. Maybe it was the “one of a kind” factor.
this was the first one I bought, years ago.
