I GAMBLED on eBay - and I liked it!

Looks like glue residue. Try a pure acetone soak. $5 at CVS Pharmacy, and it won't change the toning.

 

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Got a new one coming my way. Nothing special, just a Colombian Commem.




I'm pretty sure this half will look quite nice in hand. It's the second Colombian I've purchased in two weeks.

 

My best "gambles" were poor ebay photographs on 3 separate 1911 $2 1/2 Indian (paid about $240-$260 for each) that were all 1911-D weak D. Graded pcgs xf45, pcgs xf45, and ngc AU55. Just sold the AU55 for about $6k (which is too much, but he was happy with it!) I buy a ton of gold on ebay, and have only gotten lucky 3 times like this, but I love when it happens!

 

Here's the update to the Columbian Commemorative Half dollar.

Before



After

 

^ they called that a '62' by the way. I'm pretty certain it should be at least a 63, more likely a 64 though. Does anyone see anything blatant that I am missing that would be holding this coin back from a better numerical grade?

 

I'd say a 63, the gouge on the jaw is pretty noticeable.

 

I love eBay gambling! one of the biggest chunks of the budget for my collection from flipping bad picture coins bought off eBay. I haven't had any huge scores yet but I have broke $100 profit on single coin a coin and had numerous scores in the $50-75 range. Seeing all these other great scores gives me hope for landing a big one someday though.

The other thing I love about eBay gambling is it is a great way to learn too, not only the coin market but how to properly grade.

Plus who doesn't love when your coins show up? It's kind of a Christmas morning type of feeling when the coin that was photographed by a drunk seller turns out to be a beauty.

 

This may be my favorite eBay gamble ever. eBay pics:

My pics:

 

What a stunning coin, and you probably stole it too knowing how good you are at hawking in on bad ebay pictures.

 

It looks even better in-hand. The holder is scratched up. I just got it in today, but it is going to CAC and Stacks and Bowers for the Chicago ANA auction in August. eBay cost: $3850. I was stunned when I opened it up this morning. The color and target toning is just incredible!

 

Am I the only one who thinks bidding on a PCGS graded coin is not really a gamble? Don't you know exactly what you are getting?

 

Yes, but it went from being a generic $4100 AU53 to possibly a $5500 AU53.

 

Actually, it still is quite the gamble. Toning can make or break you and the pictures don't always do it justice. I have had PCGS slabbed coins that toning sways the price $100 in either direction.

 

Great thread.

 

Don't gamble very often but the sellers pic of the reverse showed there might be some meat on this one. Not a huge gamble at $10.50 shipped but it ended up satisfactorily.
Sellers pics and mine.

 

This next one was a double gamble. The eBay seller nor the NGC photos were very good.

We shall see.

Sellers pics



NGC pics




It is graded an XF-45

 

I think I remember this coin from a few days ago. Did you snap it up on the BIN? I made an offer on it.,, That could be a beauty of a coin. Will be interested to see some decent pictures when you get it.

 

Yea I had an offer in too. We haggled but he said there was another person making offers and that if I didn't accept his final price it was going to someone else. I'm interested to see how it looks in hand. Info see a bit of hair lining in some images also. May just be normal circulation wear, but I guess we shall see.

 

Here was a pleasant little surprise today.

eBay pictures.





Now my photos.

 

I still think it's wise to closely examine every coin you aim to buy, no matter the TPG. Yes, I think you can have a lot of confidence in PCGS (and NGC too, but you didn't mention them); however, they too have over graded coins in holders.