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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;gboulton, post: 1257575, member: 27043&quot;]Before too long (could be any time between now and the next 6 months or so, depending in part on what I learn from this thread) I&#039;ll be on the prowl for a Draped Bust half cent for my 7070.&nbsp; While it likely won&#039;t be the most &quot;valuable&quot; coin in the set, it will be the first one of any real expense that I&#039;ve purchased specifically FOR the set.</p><p><br /></p><p>The problem is...I know nothing about half cents!</p><p><br /></p><p>I have, of course, read voraciously about their history, the common varieties, and have at least a rough idea of market prices in various conditions...but what I don&#039;t have is a &quot;feel&quot; for the type.&nbsp; I&#039;ve simply never been exposed to it, and it&#039;s somewhat difficult and expensive to get your hands on a significant number to really develop an appreciation for their finer points.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, experts....</p><p><br /></p><p>If you were only going to get ONE draped bust half cent, for a 7070 type set, what would you be looking for to get the most enjoyment and value for your purchase?</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are my conditions for this little exercise:</p><ul> <li>My preferred budget is in the $250-$300 range, though i could be talked into spending as much as $500 if it was truly warranted.</li> <li>Beyond filling all the holes in the album, I have no minimum grade.&nbsp; This isn&#039;t an album of &quot;All ____ or better&quot; coins.&nbsp; Having said that, I do demand nice eye appeal, and clear, legible, obvious devices, features, and lettering.&nbsp; I don&#039;t want to have to train someone to use a loupe to appreciate my set. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></li> <li>While I&#039;m willing to engage in an auction to purchase such a coin, <b>I DO NOT DO EBAY</b>.</li> <li>I have no long term intent to profit from reselling the coin.</li> <li>TPG, or lack thereof, is unimportant in terms of grade.&nbsp; If, as experts, you deem it advisable in terms of authentication, then that would certainly be considered...but if the coin looks nice, and presents well, I&#039;m relatively unconcerned about who thinks it&#039;s a 40 vs who says it&#039;s a 45.</li> </ul><p>The sorts of things I&#039;m hoping to learn here are, for example:</p><ul> <li>What are the common &quot;gotchyas&quot;?&nbsp; Is there a certain type of damage, wear, or weakness that&#039;s frequently hidden in photographs?</li> <li>Are there certain sources/dealers/sites that are considered more reliable and respectable with this type?</li> <li>Is there a particular variety or year that is &quot;underappreciated&quot; and might make a nice acquisition?</li> <li>Are there ways to &quot;sneak in to&quot; an attractive and appealing coin at a &quot;good price&quot;?</li> </ul><p>Like I said above, one can do research and read volumes...and, by all means, I&#039;m willing to add any links or sites on the subject to my growing list of bookmarks...but it simply takes experience and exposure to know what makes a type &quot;tick&quot; if you will...and I simply don&#039;t have it, so I&#039;m asking for help. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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