I have a chance to buy this coin. It is Described by the seller as an XF and the asking price is $1250.00 Is this a good Overton variety? And does it make XF?
This is just my opinion on why I do not think it makes XF - from the pictures it looks like more wear than weak strike, especially with all the tick marks. The color of the coin also makes me think harshly cleaned. I think this coin is over priced for the grade and the cleaning - I would call it VF details. I would recommend watching heritage or one of the other auction sites for a nicer coin. The O-112(which is what this looks like) is very common and a popular coin. Just my opinion, but please check out heritage auction archive results.
If you have to ask these questions then shouldn't shouldn't be buying this coin. Do you just have a pile of money laying around to toss about on any random coin? Do you collect this series? Knowledge is power ..know the series you collect. Learn how to grade on your own. Know the Overton numbers ...otherwise it looks like you are just throwing money around.
Admittedly Bust Halves are not my strong suit. But, I am building a first year type set and need that particular coin.
Buy the book. I think you'll find it very enlightening. PM me to remind me to post you the title. I don't have it here handy.
Well that sounds interesting - a first year type set. I don't think for this you need the overton book, but just a good grading guide. Keep in mind the variety on these coin can mean thousands of dollars in price. With that in mind I would research the coin on heritage to get an idea of prices and what to look while grading. Just keep in mind the overton number - that will help more than anything in my opinion.
This should have read - Keep in mind the overton number and its impact on price. All of these will help in my opinion. And to clarify even more looking at heritage for pricing and grading assitance will help. Sheesh - my fat little fingers can't keep up with my brain.
I am looking for an 1807 Capped Bust myself, but I would not buy that one for the same reasons everybody else is mentioning: the toning (or lack of it) is unnatural, and not pleasant. If and when I do buy mine it will probably be from Heritage (or Stacks). That way I am sure of what I am getting.
eduard: That is debatable. I purchased an 1882 CC Double eagle in AU from a Bowers & Marena auction back in the early 1990's. I sent it in to SEGS and it came back as a cleaned XF-40.
Frank, now that you mention it, you are right: I bought a 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar from B&M in 1987 and it turned out to have been cleaned as well. No mention of that in the catalogue description. All the more reason to be wary..........
That coin appears to have nice details, but a very unnatural patina (or lack thereof). I would not like it in my collection. I need one for my set too, but this is more the look I'm holding out for.
should I buy this bust half? They say no no no. (sung to the tune of they want me to go to rehab) For 1250 you can get a really nice example, this one is not real nice. It is better than one I was offered about a month ago, That one had been dipped in rocket fuel and then sanded with 120 grit sandpaper. You talk about hairlines, that one had more hairs than an 80s metal band.
