Seasons Greetings CT-ers, I was just looking through pages of eBay’s Seated Liberty Proof auctions and had to wonder why there aren’t more collectors. The quality of the proofs are generally excellent & highlighting these early designs...... Not to mention their low mintage. Although more expensive than most (but not all) examples of the dime, quarter & half, many can be bought for less than $1K. I realize that not all members can spend hundreds of bucks on a coin. (I’ve been there) But for those CT members who can afford it , I am wondering if this isn’t a facet of U.S. coin collecting we’ve possibly overlooked...Anyone else thinking along these same lines? Now where’s that eggnog, J.T.
I wish you hadn't posted this.... I am a BIG seated fan and after following @Mark Metzger post with his gorgeous seated, I am starting to feel a bit needy here..... My only hold up is that when I spend that kind of cash on coins, I like to spend it with folks that I know and trust.
A lot of collector MUCH PREFER the business strike coins and don't like the Proofs as well. That's why they are less expensive. The trick, in my opinion is to find Proofs that have been dipped white and have original color, which can be very nice. This half dollar is graded PR-64. The high prices kick in when you get to PR-65 and above.
@Randy Abercrombie If and when I get the 1891 seated quarter graded and if and when it is confirmed to be a proof you can have first dibs. It’s a little too rich for my blood and the proceeds will help to offset the price of the type set it came with.
Well, some proofs just survived in greater quantities than High MS business strikes. The reason why is obvious. Plus, to @johnmilton 's point, some collectors will not mix proofs and business strikes in their date/mm or type sets so that helps keep the proof prices a tad lower. I include proofs in my type set without reservation and have included them in my IHC date/mm collection.
I just got my first proof seated piece a couple weeks ago and I’m hooked. A lowly PF61 from an eBay auction for under 500 bucks. Despite a bunch of hairlines and a finger smudge, it looks downright pristine under the right lighting. Like it was made recently versus over 150 years ago. Also it’s cool to have an uncommon date.
I love old proofs but only have a couple Here is my favorite 1875 pcgs pr63cam. I love the fact that these are very low mintage. This is my seated liberty quarter type coin. I
I’m heartened to know that there are other collectors who appreciate the seated proofs..Thanks to all who chimed in to this thread, J.T.
Original Seated Liberty Proof coins are beautiful, however like many nooks and crannies in US coin collecting they are not avidly pursed. I have been collecting US coins for a very long time, however from experience it is much quicker, easier and profitable to sell a 1909-s VDB Lincoln Penny in VF, than most Seated Liberty Proof coins in Grades less than MS-65. Demand is a far greater factor in the valuation of all collectibles, including Seated Liberty Proof coins. They are truly "collectors coins."
