Everyone was of such great assistance on my previous post about Flying Eagle Cents I figured I would put a few more coins out for comment. As I work through a few of the nickels for the type set, I am focusing on a 1883 N/C Liberty Head Nickel. For this type I would like at least a descent strike (nearly all stars struck, no completely flat stars) and it would be nice to have some left ear corn visible (although it is difficult to see in some online pictures (maybe the corn isn't there when I want it to be ). I have come across the following in the MS-62 to MS-64 range: #1 #2 Thoughts? If you have other options from a reputable dealer I will be more than willing to take a look..
Thanks for all the replies, looks like most are voting for #2.. From the dealer #2 is graded a point lower than #1, so lower cost. With this type coin I am budgeting $50. #1 is at that mark, while #2 is about 25% lower. Originally I liked #2, I think it has a stronger strike than #1 (stars are stronger). The part that I notice on #2 is the mark on the cheek and the white haze in the field in front of Liberty at about 10:00. #1 doesn't have these marks, but has a weaker strike (although they both have better than average strikes). Thanks for your thoughts and I look forward to further input.
This is a coin you can afford to be exceedingly patient with. There are many, many examples to choose from. My advice to you is to not rush this addition -- wait for the "perfect" coin.
The main areas to tell for a quality strike is the stars; they should be well defined and not mushy, aka you should be able to see a clear star and and not a mush pile, and also the hair on the obverse will be well defined on the tip of the head.
Finding a fully struck 1883 nickel will take some patience. This issue was not well struck, typically. On the obverse, the stars stick out, but it's the hair that also is an area to check and often overlooked (as was pointed out above). On the reverse, the left ear of corn and the wheat tips above are two areas to focus on. Finding a coin with full stars, hair, corn, and wheat will take some time. Here are the examples from my typeset: The one from my childhood collection[XF-ish], with a strike typical for the issue (note weak stars and obliterated corn on left: The one from today's type set, fairly well struck, but not quite 100% [NGC 65]: And one I picked up a while ago just because I liked it, and with a strike a touch stronger than the coin above. What's even better, at least to me, is the attractive toning and eye appeal. Although it is lower graded than the previous coin [PCGS 63, and an AU63 at that, IMO], I much prefer it. Have fun...Mike
I took a look at Ebay for a few other options. I alredy searched through my 6 or so trusted type coin dealers and have not found anything better then the 1st 2 I posted. On Ebay I found the following: Strong Strike on the obverse (stars clear, hair...), seems to have muted mint luster: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1883-Liberty-V-Nickel-NO-CENTS-CHOICE-BU-/251016967188?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3a71c6f414 So may poor pictures on eBay.. I remember why I love that place so much.. :rollling: Thoughts on this link?
I found this one on eBay last week - and I have dealt with the dealer many time - and he always has a few things I like ... Try him out... estatesales... his name is David Kahn.
I wouldn't try to buy a bunch of different coins all at once, like.... the 1883 v-vick 1913 Buffalo and whatever else, and limit yourself to $50 a coin You will eventually want to upgrade these. Buy one $200 coin in like MS-65-66 instead of 4 coins to upgrade later that are MS-62 or so. That gem will be better than settling on some mediocre stuff to fill the holes, you will usually lose money buying lower end type coins and upgrading "later" Maybe just concentrate on the nickels or something for now, but don't buy MS-61 type of stuff, you'll lose doing it. Patience is a virgin....or something like that...
Thanks for the tips everyone. I have spent the last approximately 12 months on and off searching (only purchasing a coin or two for the type set). I understand and have heard many times that patience is a virtue. I posted about these 2 nickels to educate myself on what I should be looking for on these types. I have found that you can spend a lot of time searching for one coin and then move on to the next, when you could have been using that same amount of time to search for a couple coins that you know well, as was stated, maybe stick to Nickels. I am sticking to grades that are the break point between a lower cost coin and a much higher cost coin. For the 1913 T1 in MS-64 it is $80 on NumisMedia, for the MS-65 it is $156. For the Liberty Nickel, in MS-64 it is $81 on NumisMedia, for the MS-65 it is $206. Personally it is not worth the extra money to get to the higher grade, that is my thought, many others disagree. My grandfather got me started in the hobby, his collection was not full of choice examples (MS-66, etc.) but it meant a lot to him and meant a lot to me to see what he loved. I don't have $200 to set aside for a coin of this type (for other types I will certainly have to), I would much rather spend in the range I am considering and be happy with that I purchased. Each of have our own philosophy. I enjoy the collecting and like to get a nice example in the price range I set. Having the knowledge for the coin types is a must if you want to purchase something and be happy with it many years down the road. If you don't know something at this point and realize it later after the purchase, that is when buyer's remorse will set in. I have certainly gained knowledge on Liberty Nickels after posting this thread, so I can take that, add to it and make an informed purchase in my budget that I am happy with. Again, thanks for all the assistance in this thread!
