If you missed me yesterday, I am new to this site and new to coin collecting after a 20 year hiatus. Many things have changed in the last 20 years, including how and where to buy coins. Could I get some help on finding the above listed coin for the best price; kind of a tutorial on the process? What I see is that I should be able to get that coin for $700 - $900.
eBay has quite a selection. For that particular coin, I'd stick to one in a slab if I was buying over the internet. Click on the link below. There are 42 of them for sale on EBay right now ranging from AG to MS63 condition. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.X1892 O barber half dollar&_nkw=1892 O barber half dollar&_sacat=0&_from=R40
First of all are you talking Raw or TPG, if TPG, then which one. Outside of that I would recommend not using any buy it now function on ebay as I have found that the coins there tend to be overpriced with regards to the market. As for myself, finding that particular coin is not exactly easy. The coin itself is listed as an R3, which means it is availble, but may require some searching. This in and of itself means that because it is not common the prices for it are going to vary or may be on the high side when you find it. I would put my target price, provided I was really interested in this for my personal collection and not investment or resale around the $650-750 range and then evaluate coins more than that price on their merits and how they would fit with my existing collection. Search Heritage, teletrade, large dealers (I'm sure someone has a list of dealers).
Here is a raw one on ebay that I would actually consider for my set (if I needed one) Obverse looks good, reverse looks like it is more XF40 than 45, but overall the coin has a good look. More importantly seller has a good rating, has a lifetime authentic guarantee listed, is an actual physical coin shop... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1892-O-Barb...03?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item2330738683
I think you did pretty well. Looking on Heritage...I'm seeing 3 PCGS AU graded examples selling in the last year. All went for more than this. They were: AU55 CAC: $822.50 AU58: $881.55 AU53: $998.75 So, I think you paid a fair price. Not a steal, but not bad IMHO.
Nice piece, nice price...the only real question is are you happy with it, because that in the end is all that matters.
I am happy with it. This was my first ever on-line auction so I was nervous and mainly worried that I would pay too much. And my first individual coin purchase since reentering coin collecting. My research told me $800 was a fair price. But I thought I'd ask all of you who have been doing this longer.
