What is your best coin deal?

$30 at the bank bought me 61 Franklin and WL half dollars. Score of my life.

As far as actual purchases, I've done well, but nothing ground-shattering. Some very-well worn semi-key barber dimes over the past few months, and a '16 WLH in G6 for $11 (Melt) this past weekend is about as good as I've ever done.

 

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I bought a raw 1864 indian head cent on ebay for $26 including shipping. It ended up being a 64L that graded MS63BN. Sold it for $520 a few weeks ago. Bought another raw 64L for about $290 that came back MS63RB. That one is still in my personal collection. Total spent $318. Profit equaled about $200 plus an MS63RB 1864L worth about $600.

 

my first ever purchase was a bag of coins and bills from a library yard sale. i paid $5 and i end up with 2.6 oz of silver, a bunch of cool coins and south korean bills from the 1950s but of course there is no market for them so i guess i have to keep them. also got some MPCs, 2 1920's french bills.

 

My greatest deal was getting a 1864-s seated quarter for freeeee.

 

A few years ago I bought a collection from some lady who came into my antique/coin store. Among the many coins there was a large stack of 70's mint sets. I offered $5 for each box and she accepted. I put the boxes away for later pricing. Forgot about them for awhile and some 6-8 months later decided to put them out. To my surprise 4 of the boxes were not sets, but GSA Carson City's. Holy Cow!!

 

Over the years I have picked up some bargains (makes up for the coins I overpaid for, I figure!)
One of the best "junk box" finds I ever made was a Canada specimen cent from 1937 for less than 50¢. I've since had it certified (NGC - SP64) and it's still in my collection. Granted, of the Geo VI specimen coinage, the 1937s are the most common but it still was a thrill for me.
I still search junk boxes when I have time but rarely find anything of exceeding value.

 

Yeah, its kinda funny how we always remember when we did well, and tend to forget all of the junk, cleaned, overpriced coins we bought.

I would wager almost every collector if you added up the wins versus losses would total up somewhere in the negative territory, don't you think? I bet you I would. I try to make up for it now, but I know I dug myself a deep hole starting out.

Chris