Having been toying with the idea to start looking into Commemoratives, I have been eyeing the 1892 and 1893 Columbian Expositions and the current year's WWI. Well, eBay for the expos looked like a major crap-shoot. Even the novice I am could see the nice looking ones were of cleaned coins (even feedback for other coins were complaining once they sent it in for grading). Those coins were also going for $18-$20 minimum. Even some of the slabbed versions seemed odd. They may be legit, but I really need to know how a coin that can look like mud gets an MS grade (The TPG has no pictures for the one I am actually referring to). Anyhoo, here's what I ended up with. The 1893 has a couple of marks, but looked really good. Now maybe they were cleaned at some point, but I'd much prefer learning on ones I can't tell on 1892 1893 While there I also decided to grab the 2002 West Point Bicentennial (the line under the O is one of my hairs on the case ) It's got some brown toning happening on the flags. Little hard to see in the pics as it needs to be tilted more to the side to see more of it. Just thought I would share.
I probably will, but before I spend big bucks on an older coin I have some real learning to be done first. I figured I couldn't really go wrong with these at an average price of $15. I also want to hit a coin show first and see really how the older coins are priced and graded. Like this eBay auction here makes me question this stuff: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1892-Colum...020057?hash=item1a60e8d019:g:fhoAAOSwyf1bNes7 For now, I have no real problem buying cheap items to get a feel for things and then replacing with much better items down the road. Now newer coins in slabs I will buy because it should be much safer. Older coinage, I need more knowledge.
The 1892 looks well struck and slightly better than the 1893. I go by the ropes on the sails on the reverse. They are generally the first things to go from wear.
Ty hit one out of the park by buying circulated examples........hope you didn't succumb to the exhortation retail prices (then and now).
Thanks. I was quite happy when I saw they were in that good of shape. I honestly expected to go in and see some ones with a harsher life. I see what you did there... and nope. You caught me. It really cost cigarettes and pruno to get these coins.
The 1892 has been polished or cleaned, but the other two appear to be attractive. Both Columbians are AU, but for the price you paid they aren't a bad deal.
Cool. Thanks for letting me know. I had my suspicion once I took the picture and saw the outlines of features. Already worth the money to know how that cleaning looks!
Ah yes, Life Lesson University I think teaches the more expensive classes. I hope to skip those classes.
