Barber Half eBay auction question

MoneyCollector · August 14, 2006 4:33AM

What am I missing here with the price? Had this on my watch list.

1893-S in VG08 for BIG$$$1893-S in VG08 for BIG$$$

rhedden · August 14, 2006 4:37AM

It has to be a rare variety. If it isn't, then it appears that unknowledgeable collectors have bid it into the stratosphere.

MFH · August 14, 2006 4:43AM

The bid's at $620...that's outrageous.

Here's one that sold for $637 last month...yes, I was underbidder at $632.

And here's the coin in question:

Casey · August 14, 2006 4:43AM

I've been watching it as well in amazement. There are no known varieties that I'm aware of (or identified in David Lawrence's book). It is an extremely tough date, but the price level is blowing away other recent sales.

USCGCraig · August 14, 2006 4:46AM

I recently picked up my XF45 93-S for this price and was very happy to do so. I would have paid a bit more. Now then, this is a VG8. IMO, there is not a single Barber Half in VG8 (aside from the 92-O Micro O) that should go for this kind of money. Pure nuts.

MFH · August 14, 2006 4:50AM

Craig,

Maybe someone read my thread about my 2,000th post on the PCGS US Coin Forums saying that I still needed an 1893-S to complete my VF/XF set ...

...maybe they think they can sell it to me for a bit of a profit....

TomB · August 14, 2006 4:50AM

I have been watching this auction in amazement, too. Here is a slabbed F15 I purchased two years ago for $330.

USCGCraig · August 14, 2006 4:53AM

You would love this XF45 I have Mike. Can't let it go though. I'll give you the dealers name in a few. I'm trying to work a few more deals on some raw Barbers they have.

I basically have a deal with this company that I will pay for the grading fees and will be the coins regardless of the grade that comes back. If the coin is cleaned, I don't buy. This dealer is really good about describing the coin in hand. I bought that 1904-P i sent the picture of to you from them as well as the 93-S and the VF25 97-O. That is another sweet coin.

Coins101 · August 14, 2006 4:56AM

And to think I found one of these with my home made Heathkit metal detector when I was 14.

ARCO · August 14, 2006 5:33AM

It is very perplexing indeed. The date is quite difficult to find in anything with full rims or better. However, as a lowly VG8, its price is in the stratosphere. The PCGS holder might be the reason someone is trying to add it to a registry set and is willing to pay to get it. I bought an ANACS XF45 and switched it to PCGS eight months ago paying a mere $450.00.

I wonder what this one would be worth on Ebay? It is a F15, but PCGS graded it VF25.

Tyler

Tom, your 93-S definitely has overall VF detail, and is a real looker.

InYHWHWeTrust · August 14, 2006 5:58AM

Here is the About Me Page of the high bidder:

Coins of Georgia & More-tdeb6060

I am an ANA member, ICG dealer, member of the Georgia Numismatic Association, FUN, local and regional numismatic organizations, The Society of Siver Dollar Collectors, and CONECA.. I am a retired Army Colonel,i.e. COL (ret.), JAGC. I blieve integrity is the most important business principle.

Our business is is to provide quality coins to the serious collecter, to the casual collector and to the novice. Coins make great gifts. Morgan dollars and Peace dollars are abundant and can be had at a reasonable price. I have been offering mostly slabbed coins. I intend to expand and offer raw coins. When buying raw coins on ebay ihave been disappointed more often than satisfied. I am not an expert grader but if I state a grade I do my best. I had one negative comment as a buyer when I received a coin that was advertised at least two grades higher than the coin merited. I left a negative, got one in return and I offered ANA arbitration. I provide some other items of interest including some offers of jewelry and and occasionally collectibles.

I will sell "whizzed" or polished coins because some prefer them for gifts, particularly for younger people who want "shiny" coins. I will always identify these in the description. ANA ethics require it , but I would do it anyway. Those who knowingly sell these without identifying them as such are cheating you.

My return policy is generous. I want satisfied customers.

Our operation is staffed with sincere folks. Jim Scarborough runs day to day operations and is always pleased to respond as am I.

Tom DeBerry

Between shilling, ignorance, Barber lust or someone who thinks they are cherrypicking, I am at a loss to decide the motive here? Maybe he (dealer) is buying it for a customer in mind?

TheRaven · August 14, 2006 6:04AM

Now I love that coin, would get popped out and put in my book really fast, but the price is shocking period.....

A good looking VG-8 coin from the picture, but not an upgrade candidate so don't get it.....

ricman · August 14, 2006 6:30AM

The crazies are out in force!:

Barberman55 · August 14, 2006 6:47AM

I snagged my AU-58, NGC graded, 93-S, on Ebay a couple of years ago. I paid a little over a grand for it. With the price of a VG-8 going for upwards of $620.00 +, I could probably sell mine for about $5,000.00.

I had seen this auction earlier today on Ebay, and couldn't believe my eyes.

MoneyCollector · August 14, 2006 6:58AM

I'm happy to see that y'all are in agreement with me on this one!

Tyler, you looking to get rid of your spare? Wish I didn't need this one yet!

Randy

MFH · August 14, 2006 8:21AM

<< <i> ...

Tyler, you looking to get rid of your spare? Wish I didn't need this one yet!

>>

Tyler knows who needs this date .....

USCGCraig · August 14, 2006 8:54AM

$620 was the final price. WOW! That's going to screw up the pricing on my spreadsheet.

rec78 · August 14, 2006 2:46PM

I am confused too. maybe someone trying to put together a vg pcgs set of barber halves? I guess that anything is possible in today's market.

Dave99B · August 14, 2006 2:56PM

Weirdness indeed....

What's shocking to me is that for a VG, it's really not that great looking. Doesn't have that nice circulated "look" Barber collectors demand.

As far as price goes, I've seen many of Tylers VF-XF halves go for 3x to 4x times Greysheet. Barber's are HOT!

Dave

rb345 · August 14, 2006 4:02PM

I bought an 1893-s in PCGS AU-55 got $1325 from Tyler on eBay this spring. I've wondered since then if I hit the top of the market
with that purchase.

USCGCraig · August 14, 2006 9:49PM

My observations with my spreadsheet seam to suggest that pricing is leveling out a bit as a few more coins are coming into the market (cross-overs and raw) and less coins are being bid on due to the coins already are in someones set. For example, if an XF45 comes up for auction and I already have the coin and the new coin would not improve my set, I'm not a bidder. I may put in a token bid to see if I can get it cheap (never happens). I'm sure this statement is true for the most of us putting togther mid-grade VF-AU sets. The exception is Tyler's coins which are real beauts.

I'm sure this auction is an anomaly. I'd love to hear from the buyer as to why he bid it up so much.

Barberman55 · August 15, 2006 12:42AM

As someone already alluded too........maybe I can see over paying somewhat, if I was the one working on a PCGS set of VG Barber halves. $620.00 does seem a little excessive though. The certified numbers for VG 93-S's is 5 for NGC, I don't have the figures for PCGS, but I'm sure the numbers are also low. I guess up to now most collectors, myself included, never thought about slabbing a lowly VG Barber half, even if it was considered a key or semi key date coin. It just wasn't considered cost effective. This particular auction could decisively change that way of thinking.

MoneyCollector · August 15, 2006 1:26AM

Dan,

There are 17 1893-s in VG to VF at PCGS. Pop reports are misleading in lower grades though b/c there is no incentive to slab the more common dates. I agree, we'll start to see more and more slabbed VG's if they start bringing this kind of money and I think that they do bring better money on average.

I just sent in some VG through VF better dates b/c I think I can get my money back if sold and I want some of them for my registry.

Randy

TheRaven · August 15, 2006 2:34AM

Don't slab your VG Barber Halves and Quarters...... I don't want them slabbed.....

I don't consider them lowly either, I like them in that grade.....

Barberman55 · August 15, 2006 3:11AM

MoneyCollector,

I was referring to the slabbing of strictly key and semi key date Barber halves. You're right, at the current time there is still no incentive to slab VG common date Barber halves.

TheRaven,

Excuse my comment when I referred to a "lowly VG Barber half", I should have rephrased it to read a "lower grade VG Barber half". My comment sounded derogatory, sorry about that........I personally love nice, original Barber's in all grades.

Barber Half eBay auction question

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