Trade dollars, Scene 2

Doug the way we all learn is to have people ask questions like you do , then listen to all the answers from all the people . If you have a question ask , slabbed or raw . The only thing that people are telling you is that TDs are the most counterfeited coin out there and it's safer for the 1st time buyer to buy slabbed . Heck I've tried to learn everything I can about TDs and the fake TDs and I still would rather buy slabbed . Though I would buy an unslabbed one from Harlen Berks and some others , but be prepared to pay more for their expertise .

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Same here , as in anything in life you get what you pay for .

 

Bravo, and thanks for saying that, Tom. I messaged him a link to a gorgeous Trade Dollar that was AU 53, with lovely eye appeal, and was going for $450 or best offer from David Lawrence. He, instead, continues to look for a "deal." No free lunches in numismatics, unfortunately.

 

I've been into coins for over 30 years I've studied them passionately as I've done with early American furniture which is my business that pays the bills I've gotten deals in both some were just being in the right place at the right time but most were knowledge and my years of experience the odds of a novice making a hugecmistake trying to get a "deal" in either field are huge it can happen but the odds of making a mistake are huge in this case pay the extra buy slabbed from a reputable source once you've handled a bunch studied many seen many fakes and problem coins and can tell the difference then you might consider buying a raw trade but not before

 

Another thing to consider most people who have a raw trade that will make a grade get them slabbed my 2 raw ones went to pcgs last week I'm 95% confident they'll grade and 100% confident their real otherwise I wouldn't have sent them

 

I wouldn't be so presumptuous to accuse anyone of lying, but I have noticed that coin collectors tend to exaggerate the deals they get. I don't believe there's any malicious intent involved though. Perhaps they're a bit embarrassed about the amount of money they've spent, perhaps they wish to look like savvy buyers, perhaps their wives read their posts.

I learned early-on that when it comes to posting the cost of a higher-end purchase, inevitably a few posters will say, "You paid WHAT for that coin? Hell, I bought mine for half the price, yadda yadda." It can lead to the mindset that every coin you buy has to be a bargain, which is dangerous. I no longer post the cost of my expensive coins, and when I do manage to snipe a ridiculous bargain, I post a link to the auction to prove it.

It's important to know your market so that you don't get fleeced, but the advice of Tom B, rzage and Morgandude is eminently sound. You get what you pay for.

 

I'm seriously considering that coin. I think it only wise to consider all of one's options when spending such a sum of money. I saw that coin earlier in the day and wanted to rule it out. I don't know why I'm explaining myself to you, but I am.

 

I just recently acquired this genuine original Trade dollar for resale at a very good price which I will not mention here. The only reason why it won't go in to get graded is a small set of scratches on the reverse in the field below AMERICA. Other than that it is a very decent looking coin. The minor rim bumps are not severe enough to affect the grade. It would look good in a circulated type set.

 

It would not grade. It has numerous nicks and bumps, some of which are serious. The serious rim nicks alone would send it back as a details coin.

 

If it didn't have the scratches NGC would grade this coin without a details label. PCGS certainly would give it a details label. But I'm not sending it in as that would not be of any benefit. Like I said, if someone wanted a real Trade dollar with XF details for Fine condition money just to have one then they're not buried in it.

 

Got this one last week, while all the discussion was going on. NGC AU 58:

 

I like that 1877-S, Morgandude11!

 

Thank you, Tom. If you like it, that is great, as you're an experienced numismatist. I loved the original color, and tone.