Hi, I have started collecting AU and BU examples of Lincoln cents, up here in Toronto, and i stumbled across this listing on ebay today. I saw it with 30 mins left and it was going for 70 dollars. I immediatley sent an email to the seller, as indicated, to see how much it would be to ship to Toronto. Unfortunatley he never got back to me on time. A last minute bidding frenzy got it up to 170. Can anyone advise me, if 170 still seems like a good deal? The grades of these coins seems exactly what i am after. Im finding it hard to find these better grades up here, and am considering driving 1.5 hrs to Niagara Falls NY, or Buffalo and find a dealer down there. Thanks for any comments http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=150330470799
$170 for one hundred and forty nine raw, uncirculated lincoln cents dated 1944 thru 2007 seems too expensive to me. In my area, dealers typically charge 50¢ or less for BU examples of most of those dates and that is the price for customers purchasing just one specific coin. I would think someone purchasing an entire set might expect a volume discount.
The seller's point about the time and efforts to find all is possibly important. If one does have a coin shop nearby, or lives in a city where coins shows occur, this might be a moot point. I think in today's Lincoln market, it is a fair offering, especially if represented in grade. Jim
Thanks everyone. Im sure the listing when I initially saw it at 70 bucks would have been justified. I just went through my collection and out of the 149 coins he has got listed, I could only use approx 35 for empty slots and upgrading into the BU or UNC category. It seems he was missing alot of S mint marks as well. I think I got a little too excited early without thinking it through properly. On another note, I have approx 3 dealers i can go to. One had them for and average of .50 - .75 cents each, another had them for .80 cents to 1.00, and another high end place that I hate dealing with wanted 5.00 bucks each. (For you Canadian members.... Yonge Street in Richmond Hill who sells whizzed coins and bleached notes on The Shopping Channel for the granny market). I turned around and walked right out. Anyway, thanks everyone.
Just buying a set seems kind of boring. Why not try assembling a set over time? It's a lot more enjoyable watching your set grow over time, and it will probably save you a few bucks in the process. My experience is that in the last year there are no deals on Lincoln cents on ebay. The 100 year anniversary has caused people to bid many times what a coin is actually worth. Just look at what the 2009 cents are going for!
$170 seems a bit much but I can understand buying a whole set at a good price because it can cost much more to buy each one individually. Just keep an eye on deals and you will soon find out what a good deal is. Missing the S mints isn't good because usually those are the most expensive to buy..
Good food for thought. I wouldn't dismiss building it up over time through ebay, but the S&H charges always add a premium to the cost. Thats why buying a large number of them with one S&H charge, wasnt a bad choice economically.
There is a monthly show in Cheektowaga, New York that I've been to a couple of times and may be useful in terms of picking up a lot of BU Lincolns at one time. (Some of the dealers there come to the Rochester area shows also.) The Fort Erie Bridge would be the best approach for you since they are south of Buffalo and a bit north of the I-190/I-90 interchange if I recall correctly. I just recycled the flyer (figures) but I believe they are at a Knights of Columbus (or similar fraternity) on Union Avenue. Interesting report about Richmond Hill... I think Thalia Elizabeth and I have been there once or twice but didn't buy.
In Coin World $$$$ Most of the add by well known shop's list a set of Bu 1941-2008 and a Dansco or equal type book for $299.00- $304.00 But I would collect it coin by coin it is a little bit funner that way.
Thanks for the lead George. I just googled it up and it seems the show is today. I cant get down there on short notice like that...but Ill keep watching the attached for updates http://www.numismaster.com/ta/inside_numis.jsp?page=CoinShowsCalendar
Price seems ok for me- I agree with Jim. It's a lot of time/effort on sellers part. Question is the keys. Was the 1970 S small date in there- about $50 in Ch BU. I have personally enjoyed slowly getting sets of inexpensive coins. Keeps the coin bug going without going broke. Some of us need an e-brake on the high priced coin game. I certaintly do at times.
