I was pleasantly surprised to see such an old intact proof set from 1859 but at the same time, couldn't believe the selling price, I figure its worth more, raw than slabbed? What do you think? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1859-ORIGINAL-MATCHED-PROOF-SET-1-50C-25C-H10-10C-3CS-1C/174387016596?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dc543ab8a39de413f9281250ad1d66168%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D13%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D174387016596%26itm%3D174387016596%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A4addafed-05af-11eb-96ba-7eedf0464fbc%7Cparentrq%3Aeff44f1e1740aadcf4c4cdeffff18256%7Ciid%3A1
If it were actually raw the answer would be absolutely not. It's a PCGS graded set when you read the description " 1859 1C PCGS PR65 CAC 1859 3CS PCGS PR63 1859 H10 PCGS PR64 1859 10C PCGS PR64 1859 25C PCGS PR64 1859 50C PCGS PR64 CAC 1859 $1 PCGS PR64 "
You copied the categories that company sells- What they have listed here and with photos is 1859 ORIGINAL MATCHED PROOF SET! $1, 50C, 25C, H10, 10C, 3CS, 1C BUT when you look at the item specifics you get this Item specifics Certification: PCGS Circulated/Uncirculated: Uncirculated Strike Type: Proof Denomination: 50C Year: 1859
The "Item specifics" section on eBay listings can be pretty useless. The "Denomination" field in "specifics" only allows you to select one value, and lots of sellers don't realize that you can leave it empty. If you look at the title, photos, and description for this auction, it's perfectly clear that it includes multiple coins.
For a matched, original set, that seems low. Matched original sets are worth more than assembled sets made from buying individual coins. The 1859 is the second year that the mint issued Proof sets on a formal basis. This is the kind of item you have to see in person before you buy. The photos are dark, and I have no doubt that that is the way the coins look in person. Dark toning makes it harder to evaluate them. You need experience to get though the toning. But the toning is the hallmark of an original coin. As for certification question, these coins worth more certified than raw. You need certification to insure that a “ringer” Unc. coin is not in the mix.
The total Grey Sheet bid total is $16,400. One coin is CAC’d which adds a little. Then there is a 20 to 25 premium if it really is an original set.
For a matched set, the ask price seems fair. To assemble a similar matched set would almost certainly cost more. Looking at the mintage numbers of each denomination, it becomes an extremely difficult undertaking should one venture to do so.
