Hello. I have a 1866-S seated Half Dollar & from what I have looked at as far as quality, I'd think this will be a MS65 or better grade. I see that there are no better grades out there than MS65 as of yet. I'm new to this whole coin thing & was wondering my best route to take to get what I SHOULD get for this coin(10,000.00 it looks to be if my judgement is right). I have an appointment tomorrow with a certified dealer guy, but am getting a little scared of making a mistake & letting it go before I find other options. How does one get a coin certified anyways without mailing it...I want to be there??? Have any of you delt with a great condition 1866-S half before? Know anything about them I should know? I have a whole box of coins I just went through & quite a few collection series that are almost filled, I'm going nuts & getting no sleep! Thanks for any help...I am a newb! ~Tammey
Hi Tammey, Photos would help a lot. Obverse and reverse. There are, I believe two varieties of this coin for 1866S, with and without the motto "In God We Trust" above the eagles head. I'm new to collecting but I have found that the more information you can give about the coin the better.
Please post photos...and MS65 is not the last grade...but with a coin from 1866 it would be rare to have one in MS65 at that IMO... None that I know of...I would suggest that you send it to NGC or PCGS...they wouldn't let you watch when it was being graded anyway... So post some photos and maybe we can tell you what it would grade and what the value is.... DON'T clean any of the coins and hold them ONLY by the edge (or rim)---if you do either of the things I just said not too...it would lower the value a good size. Soeedy
Its my understanding that the top TPGs usually set up tables and offer same day grading at some coin shows. Two catches though, one its EXPENSIVE and second, you would need a fairly major coin show in your general area. Someone let me know if I'm wrong here.
TT please post some pictures. There is a tremendous amout of knowledge here and we would be glad to help if we can. How did you get the coins? and let us know what happens after your meeting. Thanks
Thanks all. Here is the coin...plz, any input you all have on it, shoot away. My appt. is at 11:00 am & can still cancell, so post away. Thanks very much. This pic makes it look duller than it is...really it reflects light well, this makes it seem 'drab'... hmmm also the "in god we trust" is perfectly clear & readable...brb, gonna see what happened, prob my resizing...
Yeah, these pics (my scanner) aren't picking up the detail as it really is. The "liberty" is perfectly readable & clear, also alot of detail is not coming through as it is. Should I get this certified before I sell it to this guy & possibly get a better price for it through general people or whatever? Or can I get a good price with out certification? HELP. I'm confused. I also have many Walking Libertys, half dollars, almost a whole collection in one book & a few in another plus extra of 1934 & 1934-S, 1946-S & 1939-D.
I don't see the "S" mint mark you are reffering to, it should be located below the eagle's tail feathers on the reverse of the coin. Even so it looks to be in great shape. I would go with the mind set of seeing what you got not so much as I have to sell now. Some Coin dealers (NOT ALL) will prey upon the weak if you know what I mean. This way the dealer can look at the coin in person and give you some kind of an Idea as to grade/condition and price. DO remeber grading is subjective and not everyone will agree.
Well Tammey, I hate to you to the forum by bursting your bubble, but IMHO there is no way that your coin will grade higher than XF. I have enlarged and lightened the picture to see the detail better, and it just doesn't have the "snap" of an MS coin. I'm just not knowledgeable enough about the market for U.S. coins to give you any advice on selling it, but just don't plan to buy a mink coat with the proceeds. Added:After reading Troyster's post which went up while I was typing mine, I went back and enlarged the tailfeather area to the extent that the denomination characters were about 1/4-inch high. I didn't see a mintmark.
Thanks. The S is on there, like I said, my scanner did a horrible job picking up the details, when I get back I will retry this whole scan thing. The thing is, is that this guy asked if I was looking to sell & made me feel like if I am not intending to sell right then, I will be wasting time...puts me in an uncomfy position ...not all the 'knowing' about the coin world. However, I have been doing lots of research & am getting the jist somewhat. How should I handle this guy? Let him make me an offer & tell him I will think about it? That seems smart, but you think he will buy it still?
When I have to go see and expert on a coin or paper money, I try to be honest and respectful with him. If you’re just looking for an appraisal then let him know. His buy price will probably be less than the appraisal value of your coin. Remember the dealer want’s to turn a profit too. If a dealer is disrespectful or dishonest to people asking question then they stand to lose customers. Unless you need the money you can just sit on the coin if the guy make you feel uneasy. Keep asking around till you feel better about it selling it.
Well It is for sure an "S" I see it now and I would have to agree with Cobra. Be honest and if you are not comfortable, find some one who is more helpful/pleasent
They do...but they still don't let you watch...at least that is what I have heard...that way they don't have you over there saying...oh..I hope it is a MS-XX....Oh I hope it is a MS-XX!!!!! The coin isn't MS65 by a long shot...I would go about what Roy said...XF--but I see some pitting on the back so it might get VF/XF....it wouldn't get slabbed IMO because of the pitting..it would come back with a Body Bag... As for the price---$60-$80 I would guess and I might be wrong...I'm sorry to tell you this because I know you thought it was worth more...but I can't tell you something I think is wrong....I hope that this info can be of some help to you as you collect. Keep on collecting and you will learn more everyday!!! Speedy
Howdy Tammey - Welcome to the Forum !! I have to agree with the others on the grade of XF, that coin is worth at the most $100. And that is full retail - a dealer will likely offer you about $70 - $75 if you're lucky. But there's no need for you to take our word for it - you can check the completed auctions on ebay and see for yourself - Click Here There are ten of them there that have sold recently in grades similar to yours - some like the AU50 are nicer, some are not as nice as yours. But you can look at the pics and compare them to your coin to judge for yourself.
Thanks all for all the input & advice. I did go to dealer (was late trying to get scanner working so I could post again LOL) & brought half of my coins. He said the 66' was EF to... mumble, as he con't to look at other coins. He offered me an amount for all the coins, but I refused, it just seemed way too low for the little knowledge I had at that time for what & the amount of coins I brought him. Since then I have read two books, one about how to grade, and have learned a lot more. More about history its self & about coins...interesting reading! Also came across an error, but will post a new subject on it...plz read & post ANY comments &/or suggestions. Thanks. I do live in Las Vegas, this means I have opportunity for good trade shows, experts in area, etc.. I hope to learn as much as possible & be an active part of the coin world. I have never had a real hobby before & I like the hobby & $$$ part of this coin thing. Now, I just need a great coin to put $$ in my pocket for re-investment! Thanks again, ~Tammey
That might be why you thought he offered low...more than likely---he did... Remember--Grading is not something your learn overnight...I've been reading and working on it for almost a year and still need a lot of help--- Maybe it was...and maybe it wasn't...but remember...since you turned him down...its not too likely that if you want to sell them to him he will give you the same price...it will go down I bit I bet.... Speedy
