Some Ebay help/advice please

So I've been searching for NGC or PCGS graded MS Barber dimes on Ebay to start my collection. I am running into a bit of a problem here. The coins I want, I can't afford. I will admit to viewing listing after listing, only to be frustrated by prices I can't afford.

I am thinking I have two alternatives

1) Purchase lower graded coins in AU or low MS that I probably won't be happy with, or

2) Try to get lucky buying a raw coin that looks good for a much lower price.

The problem w/ option 1 is that I'll be buying coins that I probably won't be happy with, but at least they'll be certified. As far as option 2, prices might be substantially lower for raw specimens, but the risks of getting a cleaned/altered/damaged specimen that won't grade (or will come back details) might be high.

I'm thinking that dealers know most of the AU/MS specimens that are still raw won't grade well (or will grade details), and that's why they're selling them raw/unslabbed.

I would love to pick up a nice AU or MS coin for a great price and be able to send it in for proper grading and slabbing without having to worry about a low grade/details slab.

Your thoughts on this?

Has anyone had good luck buying raw AU/MS on Ebay?? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Sorry for the long post.

 

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You left out option 3.
Save up and purchase the coins you will be happy with. This option may be slower, but in the long run IMO is the best answer.
If you need to feed the collector bug more often than the expensive coins will allow, I would recommend starting a second cheaper collection that you can make more frequent additions to.

 

Option 4.
Be patient and keep watching (not just on ebay). Every once in a while you can find what your looking for at an affordable price.

 

Ya, do what @bigjpst said. Save up until you can afford what you like.

 

Hi Mike. How right you are about scarcity!! I ran across this beauty the other day. Of course, I can't afford something this expensive (even if they cut the price 90%), but it's nice to dream....here's the link....drool worthy? Oh yeah...http://www.ebay.com/itm/20122453556...op=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_nkw=201224535563&_rdc=1

 

There is nothing to be ashamed of in a nice A.U. collection. And many A.U.'s in the dime series are half the price of B.U.'s. And it's a smart thing to jump on any of the Barber series as time has seen them all appreciate in value, especially the Half series. I would be proud to own a set of dimes in A.U. Patience my friend. Don't just look at Ebay, check some dealers price lists also.

 

Mike Hayes, aka Elbesaar, is a member both here and on the NGC forums. In my opinion, he is one of the more astute collectors in all of the Barber series. His raw collection of Barber dimes is outstanding. Perhaps you can contact him for pointers.

Chris

 

Many series are like this. Price guides, IMHO, almost ruin collecting. Yes, its convenient to know ABOUT what a coin runs so you do not pay $100 for a $1 coin. However, almost every series I have ever studied had great hidden rarities that always went higher than any guide, and most common coins always went lower.

I also agree nice barbers are scarce little creatures. Seems most at the time did not think it was terribly attractive, and few were saved in pristine condition at the time. Heck, any barber in VF or better is getting scarce, the only common ones are AG-F really.

As for prices, I would ignore Ebay and go to heritage and see what they typical run. Ebay is such a weird market you can take advantage of it if it goes cheap, btu do not think Ebay is "the market". Its not, its a flea market.

 

All so very true and factor in all that have been melted over the years before they gained in popularity, not to mention the fact that these were used harshly over the years being a commonly used coin for commerce.

 

Always buy something you will enjoy. You don't know how long it will be with you.

With that said, this is what I would do. Find another series that is affordable and that you will enjoy, even if it's not what you really want at that moment. Once you've assembled a nice little set/collection, start selling it off for a profit. All the while you can also be saving some cash. With the profits and cash hopefully you can get to what you want. Build up to it.

Now let me warn you, you may become sentimental of that first set or two. There's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the most treasured things are things you never saw coming.

 

I guess I'm just gonna have to be patient....or lower my standards...a lot...

 

wider net is perhaps a good course.

ebay is a good part of your search , setting alerts can be helpful.

the bst forum here and another similar site is a good option.

greatcollections is a great place to buy as well more and more coins are being sold there. Top notch operation.

 

go with option #5 buy common coins in high grade, key dates and semi key dates the highest you can afford.

 

You have the exact same problem every single collector has: there is never enough money to buy what you really want. Basically every collector sees higher grade coins that they really want but cannot afford. I am still fairly new to collecting and I started out buying lower grade coins and have started upgrading as I go. Don't be ashamed to buy what you can afford right now. It will give you a level of enjoyment now and is also kind of like a little savings account. You should be able to sell them in the future to help subsidize your newer purchase. That is how I am able to upgrade many of my coins lately. I know everyone wants to shoot for the moon right off the bat but just ease into it and get what you can at your point of collecting. I started off buying all the barber dimes that I could to try to complete the set and I came up 8 coins short from a full set. I have since upgraded some and sold off the lower grade ones as I go along, but have enjoyed the lower grades in the meantime.

I eventually picked out one certain barber dime date that I really wanted and went for it. I picked out the 1913 S because it is the second lowest mintage Barber dime. I was lucky and found a raw one online for $150, got it graded as AU50, and now can sell for twice my investment.

 

I have gotten lucky before so yes it is worth the search for me at least.

 

I've specialized in Barber coinage for years and will simply tell you to have discipline and patience and save up to buy the right coins.

 

I will add that there are other sources online as well. Try Heritage or Teletrade.

 

To the point of buying raw coins and hoping for certification; I would definitely not pursue that too heavily. I do a lot of eBay gambling and only twice this year have I been able to pick a coin that is truly problem free and prime quality for certification. I would venture to say that as much as 75-90% of the coins on eBay that are being sold raw, are raw for a reason.

As far as your question of being able to afford the grades you want; I think if you save your money and buy the best coin you can afford you will be most satisfied in the long run, and you'll get a better return on the investment. However, we all have our budgetary limits. Ultimately when you build a set you have to decide whether or not you can afford to complete it.

I really like early copper, but I know that I'll never be able to afford a decent looking Chain Cent. That doesn't mean I cant enjoy building the set. Lowering your expectations doesn't hurt as bad as you think it will

 

Look for AU58s. They sometimes look like 64s but way less money. Sure they won't have 64 money, but they'll be ones you'll like to look at. Just something to consider.