Ok, maybe I'm still in the optimistic mindset of when I was collecting these as a teenager, but has the demand for XF Mercs been on the rise? The only reason I ask is that I was looking on Ebay and found a couple that I thought looked awesome, low starting bid, and thought, "Surely no one would buy these." I knew these were difficult to find at local shows so I put in what I thought was a nice bid (25 on one and 30 on the other). Auction ended, I take a look confident that I just bought two dimes and one went for $90+ and the other $40+. What's the deal! Maybe I'm just out of the loop but I thought for sure I could obtain an XF early Merc for less than 90 but then again, I may be wrong. Just wanted to feel out some opinions. (Dimeguy climbs off soap box)
Thos Merc dimes seem hot in auction format. People that are filling their danscos need certain dates. They want VF-XF for their danscos. The Semi-Keys are getting a lot of action it seems like. Not to mentioned the toners.
I was looking at a '23S and a '19D. Just shocked at how high they went for. Crazy, I say! Just crazy!
It's eBay. I was bidding on a 40-S Jefferson BU nickel I was seeking to fill in an album hole which should have gone for just a buck or two at most, I got outbid at the last second with an ending price well above the actual value.
Correctly Graded Scarcity Coins I believe you'll generally find this type coin prior to 1930 being relatively scarce between the grades of Very Fine to "Mint State". It's also a coin that appears seemingly "market graded" by many, including the "Top Tier" TPG. I believe this certified specimen is a currently offered example of such grading: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1919-D-Mercury-Dime-Error-Coin-PCGS-MS62-Original-Looking-/270896861005?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3f12b60f4d As one who has spent virtually half a century searching for these "gems" through countless bags of Mercury dimes, I believe "Grey Sheet" dealer pricing partially reflects the scarcity of these coins. If you view present and recently offered specimens of these infrequent correctly graded (to A.N.A. written standard) coins, I believe the premium is understandable. The A.N.A. EF-45 Reverse written standard is: HIGH points of fasces diagonal bands are LIGHTLY worn, and all details are clearly defined. EF-40 is similar, but only with HIGH points worn. This definition seemingly dictates that vertical lines are separated, and that the diagonal bands are elevated above (not melded into) the vertical lines. Just my humble opinion, from one who prizes these treasures. :thumb:
This is on my mind right now. I bought a really nice 1917-P a week or two ago for about $12. When I received it, I was stunned -- it's got lovely toning, and lots of luster. But it looks to me like the high points of the obverse aren't fully detailed, and the diagonal bands appear to be worn down almost to the level of the fasces. I bought assuming that it was a colorful XF-40, but all that luster makes me wonder if it's a higher-grade weak strike. I'll post pictures when I can. Even if it's only VF, it's a beauty to me.
Well, I'd say the mid grades of older coins probably don't come on the market as often as the very high grade or very low grade ones. I was lucky to find this nice 1918-D which is a conservative high VF from the dealer's junk silver for about $2.20. I was happy.
That says it all. I know a lot of people disagree with me when I say that ebay, in general, is a terrible place to buy coins. People just over-pay waaaaaaaaay too often. But if you watch ebay long enough, and pay attention, you'll come to the same conclusion.
