Went to an estate auction today where they had no clue how to identify coins . The coins didn't start selling until after dark so they held that part of the auction inside. The lighting was so poor that the auctioneer's help was shining a flashlight on the coins (in plastic baggies) so that you could see 'any' of the details. The auctioneer refused to start bidding on any lot for less than $5 (quite a few went unsold), people are bidding up an '87 Constitution dollar to $27, silver bullion going for over spot...I'm thinking, "Why am I here!?!". Well, a lot comes up for two "Canadian Large Cent 1847/1851". The paper tag is covering the obverse and they're stacked inside the baggie. I looked at the reverse and jumped into the bidding. Results below ($22.50 for the lot) and there was a 1940-s nickel in the bag too. So, did I do OK? Or should I stay away from the dark backwater auctions?
I think you did ok, not good, but ok. I have seen some pretty rough ones sell for 5/10 bucks on ebay. At least I do not see any signs of corrosion, just a heavy cleaning, a few scratches and some rim bumps. Glad they found a good home! Congrats - gotta love large cents.
You did ok on them. I would of bid had I been there just because either one of them could of been an overdate. (without looking at them of course like you stated)
