Need Help Understanding This

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by JeffC, Oct 24, 2020.

  1. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Recently I saw two separate eBay sales of 1883 Liberty Head Nickels (No Cents). Many times, I understand how prices can vary due to the usual influencing factors (grade, cleaning, mintage, eye appeal, etc.). But in this particular case, I'm stumped. I need help to understand the price disparity. Here are the two V-Nickels.

    V Nickel A.jpg V Nickel B.jpg

    Granted, one seems to be a better grade. Both look cleaned to me (but I'm a novice and could be wrong about that).

    One sold for nearly $500 after 51 bids. The other sold for $20, BIN. I immediately went to check my Red Book to see if 1883 had a special variety which could explain why one sold for more than 20 times the other. But no.

    I'd love to hear from the folks here about this disparity. I don't get how the prices can be so different. What am I missing? What am I not seeing? I purposely did not identify the more expensive coin so you can be objective. I'm really looking forward to learning another new thing here. And, as always, thanks everyone. Seems like the weekends are the only time I have to ask these questions.
     
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  3. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    The above coin looks much nicer than my MS-63 from PCGS. I wish I had it in hand but it is home where it is a little safer. Top one looks like it could go 64 but I really can't speak on the cleaning.

    Rim damage on the second makes it much less attractive. 40 dollar coin without the damage but it is a coin I would certainly avoid.
     
    JeffC likes this.
  4. ZoidMeister

    ZoidMeister Hamlet Squire of Tomfoolery . . . . .

    Part of the problem with the bottom coin might have been the seller listing it with a low BIN number.

    If I see a coin I think is undervalued with a low BIN, I jump on it. Had it gone for auction, who knows what the bidders would price it at?

    Agreed that the rim dings and bag marks on it keep it from being a high dollar coin, but perhaps the seller did himself a disservice.

    Z
     
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  5. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    Ohhh, Buy It Now. :banghead:

    Yeah, definitely the seller did himself in. I was happy to get mine for 40. Still a very nice coin for 20 BIN, I would have jumped in too, but I wouldn't get in a bid war over a coin with ugly rims. For some reason I love the rims.
     
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  6. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    Just by the looks of the coins. The first has plenty of luster the second has been rubbed with a cloth. It has no luster. That is the dark grey appearance you are seeing. A light cleaning is still a cleaning.
     
  7. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Evan, your MS63 was only $40. Wow - that IS very nice. Whenever you get back home, post a pic.
     
  8. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    I'm still not very good at detecting cleaned coins on photos. In real life, I'm a bit better. For example, the cartwheel effect and very fine scratches will be apparent. But in photos, I often can't tell. I can't even tell that there is luster in the first coin. LOL!
     
  9. Evan Saltis

    Evan Saltis OWNER - EBS Numis LLC Supporter

    The gentleman was very old. I had a nice chat with him somewhere in New Hampshire, he said I was the smartest kid he had seen in a long time, even though he probably said that to everyone. I felt it was necessary to make a purchase from him. It was my only buy that day. Must have been 14 or so?
     
    JeffC likes this.
  10. Pickin and Grinin

    Pickin and Grinin Well-Known Member

    One quick glance at the two photos. Look at A see how crisp Lady Liberty's portrait looks. Then glance at B. the crispness is gone. That isn't the lighting. The surfaces are dull and lifeless.
     
    JeffC likes this.
  11. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    I don't see the second one as any more than AU-58. It would make a difference.
     
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  12. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Thanks. I gotta admit I'm still struggling with "seeing" it. Wish these were live classes.
     
  13. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Her's my MS61 for comp. " I paid $50 " :
    1883LibertyHeadnocentsobv-tile.jpg
     
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  14. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    I can readily see the luster in yours for sure. But still can't see it in my first photo.
     
  15. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

    Both are cleaned , I know
     
  16. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    My aunt gave me this one in 1948 straight out of her jewelry box. It is lightly circulated and appears to be a weak strike.
    1883 V WO Cents Obv.jpg 1883 V WO Cents Rev.jpg
     
  17. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    The type 1 1883 nickel is fairly common in better grades. A $20.00 BIN number for a high AU coin is a very fair number.... On the other hand, I can’t see a type one getting in the $500.00 range unless it is incredible. Say 67-68 range. I think that a couple of guys were in a bidding war. I do not see a $500.00 coin there.
     
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  18. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    I like it. For me, an old coin is more attractive when it looks its age - vintage, like yours. To me, it has more appeal than a BU one. It looks very Indiana Joneish!
     
  19. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Good to read your comments. I thought that there was something special about that coin (attracting 51 bids) that I needed to learn about.
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  20. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Most of my coins, especially those before 1964, are all from circulation. I like coins that look like they worked for a living. They need character and eye appeal. They don't need to be MS anything.
     
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