Went to my annual show today. New Pics up.
Mesquite
Posts: 4,075 ✭✭✭
Local show, 45 to 50 dealers. Lots of coins, bought two. Here are the first pics. I'll be shooting these under the lights tonight to get better pics. The colors are pretty much spot on but using ambient light put the shutter speed at 0.1 sec so they are not as crisp as they could be. I had great fun today. Got to hold a 1795 (half? or dollar?, I forgot to pay attention) in 63. One of those you rent by the second to hold. 
#1. Saw this sitting in the a dealers display and thought - could very well be AT. But, the dealer had plenty of untoned examples AND, the pull-away strongly suggests that this is not ATed. Most likely would not slab at PCGS but I don't really care. Cost me $40 so how could I go wrong? Love the color and the die cracks which are numerous on the obverse (in fact if something looks like a scratch to you rest assured that it is a die crack). That die was on its way to falling apart - just adds to the coin's character. She is raw and I've named her Ricko's nightmare!
#2. Only my second CC. She is raw as well. The luster is muted on the reverse and not great on the obverse. This reverse shot is really not good, I'll get a better shot later today under the lights. This one cost me a bit more than $40.
#1. Saw this sitting in the a dealers display and thought - could very well be AT. But, the dealer had plenty of untoned examples AND, the pull-away strongly suggests that this is not ATed. Most likely would not slab at PCGS but I don't really care. Cost me $40 so how could I go wrong? Love the color and the die cracks which are numerous on the obverse (in fact if something looks like a scratch to you rest assured that it is a die crack). That die was on its way to falling apart - just adds to the coin's character. She is raw and I've named her Ricko's nightmare!
#2. Only my second CC. She is raw as well. The luster is muted on the reverse and not great on the obverse. This reverse shot is really not good, I'll get a better shot later today under the lights. This one cost me a bit more than $40.
There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.
–John Adams, 1826
–John Adams, 1826
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Comments
–John Adams, 1826
No way, blind dealer??
bob
–John Adams, 1826
–John Adams, 1826
<< <i>NO! The fist one was $40. The CC was 10x that (a "bit more than $40"). I may have overpaid for a raw CC coin, but not by too much. >>
You sound happy with your purchases, and that is the main thing. That said, $400 is strong money for a raw 1878 CC, as is $40 for a questionably toned common date. The same $400 gets a very nice certified MS63 or an average MS64 1878 CC already in a slab.
As I said, the main thing is that you are happy with your purchases. However, I'll leave you with this thought, that you might do better than buying from that particular dealer if you spend more time shopping. Morgans are everywhere. Toners too, especially raw toners with questionable color. Look at lots of coins. Listen and learn. Morgans are everywhere.
–John Adams, 1826
Although we are all quick to throw the AT designation on every coin not fresh from the Mint, I like these (and feel they are perfectly natural).
Drunner
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson