My kids and I went to a coin show over the weekend and picked up a few things. I got one 1876 and one 1875 three cent nickel in fine, my son bought a few assorted foriegn coins and a 5 cent fractional currency. My daughter decided she liked the design of the three cent silver coins so we started to search. We noticed this one in the case and even with the damage we could not pass it up in this condition. The little scratches on the back do show with the naked eye, but not near as obvious as under magnification like the pics. I wondered what you think of the coin and if the scratches would have detered you from buying it. I'll wait for a few responces and let you all know what we paid for it.
viper: Nice coin, however, are you sure that they are scratches? Altho they do look like scratches, could they have been on the die? Also, yup, I would have passed on it. [Sorry.]
If it was cheap and your daughter liked why not. Just don't expect any resale value but I doubt she was thinking of that. The last 3 cent silver I bought was cleaned. I knew, the dealer knew yet I bought it. 1855 - tougher date and the price was right.
I wondered what you think of the coin and if the scratches would have detered you from buying it. I'll wait for a few responces and let you all know what we paid for it.[/quote] I,think your daughter got the coin because SHE liked it. Isn't she the person who should be happy with it ? I think it's a great place to start. A few years ago I bought a 1916D Merc with a couple of small scratches on it. I got it for cheap money compared to one without scratches. I recently sold the scratched Merc for 2X what I paid for it.With the proceeds I purchased a better 16D. The guy I sold it to said he hoped that one day he'd be able to trade up too. He knew I was selling to upgrade. I am a firm believer that if the price is right or if it is what YOU can afford Go for it. My friend told me I was crazy to buy a damaged coin. Shows you what he knew. He still has an EMPTY 16D slot.. John
even if the marks are on the die they would be raised, the question is whether there is a depression (scratch) that caused them to be raised. Good luck.
Figure it like this: Silver content of the coin + numismatic value + going to a coin show with dad, finding something YOU like, asking for it, him saying "yes", you having a treasure that you will hang on to forever and remember always. Priceless. We all have a special coin in our collections that is worth more than book value! Mike
Very true, but I'm not too worried about it either way I guess, just curios. Like others have said, if she's happy I'm happy.
The marks look like scratches (on the coin) to me because they are on the fields AND the devices (the III). A scratch on a die would typically only be on the highest parts of the die - the fields - and not in the lowest parts of the die - the devices. If the scratch extended down into the device on the die it likely would not be a continuous scratch from the field (i.e., it would most likely not extend to the edge of the device).
LOL! In that instance, Dad said to the dealer: "Do you really want to disappoint this little girl, with the puppy eyes?" The Dealer, hardened to a stone, replied: "Yup, ten bucks." Dad: " Well, little daughter with the puppy eyes, I guess that you will jsut have to wait." Dealer: "Wait, did I say ten bucks? I meant $5.00." Dad: "Oh, well, I can't disappoint little girl with puppy dog eyes. Okay." [Kinda brings a tear to your eye, huh?]
I can see the suspense is killng everybody. We paid $18 for the coin. Considering heritage value list has it at $15 to $20 in good and $60 to $80 in XF, I think we did alright, Although I wish we had tried the puppy dog thing. If she wanted one of that design I would rather pay $18 for a coin that looks AU/XF than pay $15 for a worn out coin in good condition. Anyway, shes happy so I'm happy.:thumb:
I would have bought it - esp at that price. 3 cent silvers with that amount of detail are not very common - It would be a nice addition to a type set.
