What's the coin(s) you walked away from that you regret most.

barbershopper · March 16, 2007 12:08PM

I know we've all had regrets about not buying a coin. Here's mine.

Age 13 in Little Rock, I had the day to myself while my parents were paying big money for a bath.

About 3 or 4 blocks from the motel, there was a used comic store run by a gray haired man (like me now).
He was friendly and liked to talk. He also had box after box of coins he was selling for 1/2 of red book.
I picked out a couple or three large cents, 2 cents, etc. Then I found the 2 shield nickels that were
issued in proof only. 1877 & '78. Both BU. The 1949 Red book was $22.50 and $17.50. I could've had them
for $20 for the two. I looked at the mintages and longed for them but $20 would've just about
taken everything I had. Sure wish I had them now.

Hope this jogs some painful memories for you to share.
JT

droopyd · March 16, 2007 1:35PM

1922 "no-D" Lincoln, die pair #2, PCGS XF-40. Could have had it for just under $1K about 5-6 years ago. Would have stretched me big time financially, so after lots of soul searching I passed on it.

Elcontador · March 16, 2007 1:37PM

Not applicable. I don't regret any coin I walked away from. I walked away because either it wasn't nice enough for the grade, or the seller wanted too much $ for it. I can think of a few I bought that I wish I hadn't (bought), though.

Coinosaurus · March 16, 2007 1:39PM

I seriously considered an EF 1901-S 25c at 18K about three years ago. Doh!

clw54 · March 16, 2007 1:42PM

A few years ago I passed on an AG03 1901-S quarter that was going for $1750. It seemed too expensive. A year or two later I could have sold it for a lot more. It was a nice looking quarter, too, if you like them circulated.

AU58WALKERS · March 16, 2007 1:44PM

a pcgs au58 1921 walker, about 15 years ago at a "FUN" show.

my local dealer will never let me live it down.

TomB · March 16, 2007 1:47PM

I don't mean to pry, but why did you walk away from the 1921 WLH? Your user ID seems to indicate that this would have been a major coup for you.

mirabela · March 16, 2007 1:56PM

I walked away from a 1901(P) Morgan in PCGS AU58 last summer (or was it the one before??) at $400 (!!!) I didn't like the coin at all, but I could have done very well on the flip. Shoulda done it. I went back the next day, but it was already gone.

AU58WALKERS · March 16, 2007 2:08PM

<< <i>I don't mean to pry, but why did you walk away from the 1921 WLH? Your user ID seems to indicate that this would have been a major coup for you. >>

That is why my dealer will not let me live it down.
I was also "ate up" with standing liberty quarters at the time. Both of which I had been buying from the dealeer that had the '21.
when I walked up to his table he told me he had the walker and like a dumb ass I told him i was looking for slq's.
when I went back later (after my dealer slapped me awake) it was gone.

TomB · March 16, 2007 2:17PM

I'm sorry to read about that experience and had assumed you had been pursuing another series at the time.

curly · March 17, 2007 12:44AM

I turned down a commemorative in a Max Mehl flip aroun 35 years ago in Dayton, Ohio. Lord...what was I thinking?

dtkk49a · March 17, 2007 12:54AM

Lincoln cent 1955 DDO AU condition. Could have had it for a little over $500 back around 1984.

onlylincolns · March 17, 2007 12:58AM

I turned down a 1943-D copper cent for $79K and regret it every day...

dogwood · March 17, 2007 4:27AM

There was a 1897-o Barber Half PCGS 45 on ebay recently with a BIN of 1495. I thought "that's 58 money". It went quick. I don't "regret" not pulling the trigger on it but it seemed to be a trophy coin.
And I think about it often...
That's an R6...
And ever since I sold my NGC 25 there's this hole...
XF 45...

lasvegasteddy · March 17, 2007 4:49AM

4 others and i were to acquire in partnership one 1894-s dime in 82/83 at 10k a piece but 2 of them flaked 2 days before the auction.that was my once and only chance of an out of my league coin with a future-i do have regrets over that

jdimmick · March 17, 2007 5:44AM

2 years ago at baltimore, i stumbled on to a very nice 1804 Quarter in PCGS-40. It was priced at 13500. I called a few folks to get opinions on price, as I thought the price was a bit strong, but the coin was nice. I hesitated a few minutes and walked a little more on the floor. Decide to come back and get it anyway as it was the nicest I had seen for the grade. Gone!

mozin · March 17, 2007 6:42AM

I regret that ten years ago I did not step up and buy key varieties of Capped Bust Half Dollars in AU grades. Should have skipped buying the common late dates, and used the money for a few key varieties instead. At least what I bought still looks good.

droopyd · March 17, 2007 7:37AM

Here's another from about a decade ago -- Later date Seated half, looked AU/BU with nice original luster, with multiple die cracks on the reverse as if the die were about to shatter. The price tag wasn't too high either.

rabbitracks · March 17, 2007 8:19AM

About 5 Years ago a dealer I frequented quite often had a 55 Double die I would have graded MS-63RB had it for sale for $700 at the time thought the price was to much and passed. Now at the price there at today
I wish I'd picked it up.

Oh well that's gone by will have to wait till another day.
Mike.

Someday REAL American HERO's will be on our COINS.

orie · March 17, 2007 8:36AM

I was checking my ebay searches early one morning and this L&C gold commem PCGS was on ebay for $800. It was put up late the night before. I wrote the seller to see if he would wave the shipping if I sent him a cashiers check. When I went back 15 min later it was gone. Tried to get cute and it blew up in my face. I usually forget these, but not this one.

eddieg · March 17, 2007 8:39AM

My cousin working at a grocery store found me a 1901 S Quarter that cost me the 25 cents. I was a low grade Good and not into Barber money, sold it to a friend for
$1.00, and it was later stolen from him. Wish-wish-wish.

Coxe · March 17, 2007 8:53AM

1921-S NGC MS64DPL Morgan.

jmski52 · March 17, 2007 10:50AM

rabbittracks - I agree. Bob Hope really should be honored.

rabbitracks · March 17, 2007 1:31PM

Jmski52, of all the actors out of Hollywood he has done more for the American People than any other individual that has performed on stage. I saw him live in SE Asia when I was in the Vietnam War zone
to put oneself in harms way to bolster our moral at the time of Christmas is a true HERO in my humble
opinion. I have always thought that many more actors also are due such an honor He would be the first
in any honor to be bestowed on American Hero's. My thoughts would be to honor those that gave joy
to us through there humor and acting abilities. Would it not be another great coin to be able to look for
instead of dead LEADERS. The coin that is hardly ever used 50C coin would be the ideal coin to honor these
American HERO's on. That will only happen if all who would be interested in seeing these Amazing Acting Ledgends on a Coin to contact your Congressman and Senators to let them know of our thoughts on this
request. This is just my thoughts on my favorite American HERO.
Mike.
Someday REAL American HERO's will be on our COINS.

BigRed · March 17, 2007 9:16PM

looked at a draped bust half dime ( PCGS OGH 1800 in VF 35) a few years back for $1000 but passed. It was a nice original coin but a little weak in the reverse stars and I wanted to find a better struck one but never did now they are out of my budget.

Bikingnut · March 17, 2007 10:17PM

2006 20th Anniversary Gold ASE SET. Could have sold one and added a semi-key or possibly even a key date Washington to my registry set.

I know, modern crap.

Dennis

39Special · March 17, 2007 11:12PM

Mine is nowhere near the rarity or value of the others, but it is still a coin I should've jumped on. I noticed a 1941-D MS67FS Jefferson up on eBay late one night with a BIN of $125, starting bid of $.99. After people started bidding the BIN went away and I watched as somebody eventually got it for about $250. The seller had huge closeups of the coin and it is to this day the nicest Jefferson I've ever seen. It looked MS68.

coindeuce · April 21, 2007 10:39AM

In 1995 Heritage offered the sole PCGS PR-64 (none finer) specimen of the 1878 7TF Rev.'79 Morgan in the Anaheim A.N.A. sale. The lot supposedly received a single bid at 25K. Today that coin would fetch over $300,000. An NGC PR-64 specimen (Richmond Collection)sold in 2005 realized $155,000 (to a dealer),resold for $275,000 to a private collector

ziggy29 · April 21, 2007 10:46AM

It was an 1846 (I think) seated dollar, PCGS AU-58, sold by RCNH a couple years ago for $1050. Great coin, original, properly graded. Just didn't have the funds at the time. Had a shot at it and let it go. Haven't seen one like that since, and I'd probably have to pay almost twice that for it now.

Colquhoun · April 21, 2007 11:53AM

Multiple 1990 No S proof sets for $1000 each as the dealer pulled them out of the shipping cartons in 1990.

Dollarhunter · April 21, 2007 12:46PM

NGC 16 D Mercury dime G4...It was Christmas time 2001. Funds were much tighter than usual and making Christmas good for the family was all that really mattered. The price 300.00. I told the coin shop I would be back within a day or so. The dealer said they would hold it for me. I called less than 24 hours later to let them know I was on my way. They had sold it to someone else for 350.

jpo1965 · April 21, 2007 12:59PM

could have bid and got 1883-s morgan and guy was giving 1804 heraldic to boot.83 was au so price was fair.I STILL WOUNDER IF 1804 WAS FAKE .with my luck it was real.he said he found it attic of deceased grandma.my world may never know

Dismeguy · April 21, 2007 1:24PM

1874-CC seated dime with problem free surfaces that graded EF 45. Asking price from a local Maine dealer was a whopping $5000 in 1988. Just could not afford the dime after building a home two years previously.

Today? 10X increase in value....what a blunder....but this is what life is all about. Live and learn.

Longacre · April 21, 2007 1:28PM

None, really. If they were not right for me at that time, then I have no regrets later.

Aegis3 · April 21, 2007 2:45PM

There was a nice 1802 C-2 half cent in good I passed on a couple of years ago at the Baltimore show. I thought I had spent enough already, but I still regret not getting it.

Also not getting a double denomination 11c piece back when I was in high school. One was priced at the local store for $100. I just couldn't conceive of spending that much for an error. Then they went to the unaffordable range for a while. My income was able to catch up for a while, and I was then smart enough to grab one up, as now they've gone back up into a (new) unaffordable range (or, more accurately, more I'm willing to get a single coin for at present).

fc · April 21, 2007 3:08PM

rabbittracks, too bad he does not have the staying power
of bugs bunny tho.

imagine most kids do not even recognize him anymore or his
long nose!

rec78 · April 21, 2007 3:25PM

I have more than one. The top two would be 1: I almost bought a nice VF 1916 SL quarter for $2300 just before the price run-up. Now it remains one of the two quarters i need to complete my SL quarter set.
2. A few years ago on ebay there was a nice low grade 1874-CC dime for a bin of $1000. I did not have $1000 at that time, but could have easily borrowed it fast. I took the bin away by bidding (i was the first one to see it) any sensible collector would have jumped on it. It turned out i did the seller a big favor by taking away the bin. It sold for over $1800.00

These two coins may now be permanently out of my purchasing range.

What's the coin(s) you walked away from that you regret most.

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