A couple of questions.

So I've been search for a couple older coins for my collection and finding them slabbed and in my desired condition is become a pain. So I'm thinking about going raw for these last few coins. Any advice on raw coinage. I buy mainly from eBay and have always had a stricked stance on buying only returnable coins. I'm also looking at xf coin which I feel I could grade. Finally, does anyone have any opinions on the eBay dealer greatsoutherncoins?

Thanks.

If your curious they ones I'm looking for are seated half, capped bust half and trade dollar.

 

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I'll give you a piece of advice first, and you are free to ignore it if you like; don't title a thread with simply a vague notation that you have questions since many knowledgeable posters will skip these threads. I write from my own willingness to skip these threads as well as the opinions I have heard from others who share their time and knowledge answering questions.

As for your actual post, I would urge patience. Truly, how fast do sets or albums need to be finished? Also, unless you know very well how to spot boinked coinage then you may be setting yourself up for a large disappointment by buying raw coins that are known to be tough coins. Lastly, do a search of this seller on the various coin forums (PCGS, NGC and here) and you may have your eyes bug out.

 

I would say capped bust and seated halves are easy. Most coin shows will have decent examples. Trade dollars are tougher, but can be found unslabbed by reputable dealers in nice shape.

Wanting to buy these with no knowledge of them strangers online? Yeah, maybe in that circumstances you should stick to slabbed.

Do yourself a favor, go to some local coin shows, learn about the coins, see them in person. Heck, even if you don't buy anything you will learn a lot.

 

When eBay is concerned, some coin series can be tough to identify "true blue" examples. Pictures are a crapshoot on there and sometimes the trick photography can hide serious problems like a cleaning, corrosion, pvc damage and etc.

My top two pieces of advice are:
You find something online you like, don't be afraid to start a new thread on here with an appropriate link. Let the panel of professionals take a look at them and give their assessment. If you're feeling uneasy about a specific coin, this is a good idea. There's never enough "second opinions" out there in the hobby.

And second, buy from a dealer who offers an unconditional 7 or 14 day return policy with a full refund. This illustrates the dealer has the utmost confidence in their product/coins/currency.

Those are the best I can give you on 3 hours of sleep, but there will be more great advice the other guys and gals will give ya.

 

And oh, GreatSouthernCoins is an up and coming dealer on the bay. However, I will warn they appear to sell lots of cleaned/polished pieces on there except their slabbed coins. They generally won't describe the cleaning/doctoring in the description and will keep it pretty vague. I've bought a seated dime from them and had to return it because it was obviously cleaned, no questions asked, they gave me a full refund.

 

Kook, once again thanks for the great advice. Yeah I noticed a lot of their coinage is cleaned but in this case their listing said nothing of it, thus I asked.