I know this coin has been harshly cleaned... certainly doesn't look like a coin of it's age.... I've been looking for a bust half for a while.... just kinda wondering if I missed out, or if it was a "good" miss.... Based on the closing price, should I be glad I didn't win this auction? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1831-50C-AU-Details-NGC-/150960439954?
In my opinion yes, but not so much because of the price. Anywhere from half that to that amount appears to be the going rate for that coin. Whereas a problem free AU example can be double to triple that much. But it is a common date and easily obtained. So unless you particularly like problem coins, then I'd say you are better off losing the bid.
What exactly are you looking for in a bust half? Condition, year, price, appearance, graded/raw, etc.? They aren't hard to find so I am confused about why you have been looking for a while. Stay away from problem coins, is my advice. Lance.
No you did not want that one. If that is basically the price range you are looking in, try to find a nice problem free XF
I would prefer one that is graded, just looking for an example for a type set really. Looking for something that is that general price range, doesn't look too bad....has some nice features. I didn't mind that it had been cleaned in that case. I appreciate all the feedback.
Improperly cleaned, but it lets me see for the first time what they might have looked like fresh from the mint.
If your car ever has a side view mirror swiped you could just hot-glue that bust half on the side of the car and keep driving.
Funny....but then again I would happily buy a coin with this design over the current ASE if they changed things up for a couple years... Would be a nice bit of variety. Kinda almost looks like an ASE in appearance, don't it??? Maybe that's why I liked it to begin with???
I didn't mean to be that harsh on that coin. I can see why someone would like it despite of the cleaning considering the condition and design. It is just the fact that there are so many examples that have not been cleaned available (but then that brings money into account).
Agreed stay away from the bright silver one cleaned like this one. You can get some nice gun metal grey ones from Harlan J Berk or Northeast in XF range for about the same price or less. Or try to snag one off heritage or teletrade. And be careful - just because they are not in a details grade holder does not mean there are not issues(at least to me they have issues). One I like from Harlan J Berk and one I don't like on Heritage - of course that is just a personal opinion.