I might see one every week or 2 when I run through the SLD listings, but 4?? Even the 2 raw examples look genuine to me. (I didn't count the 2 BIN, which makes 6). Bowers estimates about 600 survivors in circulated grades. The most available explanation, of course, is the economy. Any other ideas?
I think you mentioned a powerful possible reason: the economy. As a further example, a few months ago a small hoard of 1804 Quarters (Rarity 4 issue) was put on the market. These are scarce (to rare) coins which are not seen that often, but this small grouping (not sure how many but about 10-15 is a guess) did surface and that also may be attributed to the economic situation.
i could see someone hoarding this issue, it being the first year silver dollars were struck at Carson City. The pcgs graded xf one is especially nice looking.
LOL, yeah, almost always these turn out to be from way west of Carson City, but I think that even the raw ones for sale are genuine (appear to be, IMO).
How much would one cost you? Now, are you willing to risk that much on a raw coin? A quick look at the Red Book tells me that I definitely would not.
The PCGS VF coin sold for $2,550; an NGC XF details w/minor rim hit sold for $2300; I don't see any of the raw coins in the completed listings, yet (no surprise). I bought mine raw in an eBAy auction, but the seller was familiar to me, is in the same town, and I have a friend in the local P.D. fraud division. I wasn't worried.
