I need your advice on keeping or returning a set of coins. They are... 1805 25c Draped Bust (4 year coin, mintage 121,394 which is 2nd lowest) 1815 25c Capped Bust (first year, 89,235) 1837 10c Capped Bust I bought these together and the seller would like the set returned as a group if I return them, which I don't have a big problem with. The question is... keep 'em or return 'em? here's the rub (literally)... The 1837 10c seems to be original (the picture below is lighter than actual, it has a nice deep gray tone all over). Out of the three, this is the nicest (and cheapest, heh). 1805 25c and 1815 25c are cleaned, which I knew. But the 1815 (which is lighter than the pictures) has some rather unpleasant rubbing (bright silver scratching) in the red areas (picture c). the 1805 actually has a bit of it too, but not nearly as much and it's harder to see. I really don't want to pay more for this group (under $450), so while there may be better examples, they just aren't anything I really am in love with and they are more for the type album than anything (which these would be fine for). I know it's hard to make judements without having the coin in hand, but...
Here's the 1837 10c (too many files to attach in last post). EDIT: And here's another angle (sorry for the crappy p[icture) of the 1815 which you can see the rub when tilted at a certain angle to the bright light.
The best way I can answer this is to ask another question. First of all I agree with your assessment, so knowing what you know - will you be happy with the coins as they are ? Or will you always be looking at them and second guessing the decision to keep them ? Now since you have already asked the question - then I suspect you know the answer you would give.
Well, as they are just for the type album, and not something I'd get slabbed or show off as a "wow look at this!" piece, I'm having a bit of trouble deciding actually. What I really don't want to do is spend more for the set (if I were to get them one by one elsewhere), and from what I can tell, ones in this range aren't all that better, so if it's a case of trading these for some that are similar -just for the type album, then I might as well keep these.
My advice, send them back. Here's why-the two bust quarters are cleaned, they have multiple scratches, and you/I would easily be able to find comparible examples of those coins elsewhere (coin shows/internet) for a lot less. I could probably find and buy those three coins for $250-300. You did say that you didn't want to spend alot.
I haven't been able to find comparable examples, for a lot less. I just took a quick look through completed on ebay and there isn't much for 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808 25c, let alone just 1805. there was one I did like, but it sold for $380. The 1815 is another toughie. If you look for 1815, there isn't much. it was a first year and although that's not crucial to me, it's nice to have the first year. Thsi one seems to be almost exactly the cond. of mine... http://cgi.ebay.com/1815-F-Bust-Qua...ryZ11963QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem -it is probably more original (not cleaned or not cleaned as harshly), but it also went for $60 more than I paid. It probably sounds like I'm trying to convince everyone that I should keep them, heh. Trust me, I'm not. What I'm simply trying to determine is if it's not worth it to send them back because there's nothing all that wonderful to replace them. The 1805 (draped bust variety) is hard due to the short 4 year run. I really didn't see much there. If I forgo the first year 1815 capped bust, and just look for any capped bust (1815-1837), then there's more choices. Before I started the thread I was almost certainly sending them back. As I've checked what is around, and past prices, I'm more inclined now just to keep them and NOT hold the album (what they will be in) at an angle, one inch from the halogen desk lamp, heh. Can you show me anything that would indicate $250-$300 for 1805 & 1815 25c and 1837 10c in similar condition? If I saw something, I'd definitely toss them in the mail. EDIT: Most often when people ask for advice, they know the answer and just want others to reaffirm that decision. I truly do not know the answer, and am 50-50 on what I am going to do. Normally, without question, I'd send these back. But there are some cases (example: 1793 Flowing hair chain reverse large cent) when you take a clean or rub and not worry so much about it. These coins are nowhere near that level, but you get the point.
