Neener neener! Got my First Peace Dollars

Silver coins I don't mind taking a little bit of a risk on, but I will NEVER buy my first gold coin sight-unseen. I'd rather get a graded $5 Gold Eagle (right now I'm eyeing a 1769-M PJ 1/2 Escudo Spanish gold coin in XF40 because I love Spanish gold.). In terms of buying habits: seems like I have a store or seller that I buy specific stuff from because I've done enough business with them to know they have consistent quality stuff. BUT: I like to explore other stores, make a few purchases, and if I'm happy: continue buying from them for certain things.

 

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That's a beaut!

 

I'll be honest.. I try very hard to avoid buying from sellers using "stock" photos.. the reason being simple.. they show a pic of a very fine MS coin then send you an AU/MS slider.. Not saying all dealers do this, but those that use stock photos tend to be more likely to screw you.. I honestly hope you get some good coins for you money

 

Hey, I'd rather you be straight forward/honest than try to walk on eggshells with me. Personally, I'm feeling pretty confident I will. But if they condition is a little lower than expected, I'll be looking for stores that provide pictures of the exact coin being sold (which I've come across already for the same coins I'm looking for).
I'm always up for recommendations on eBay/online sellers that you/others go to as well

 

I'm always a WYSIWYG buyer. Leaving my purchase up to someone else, specifically the seller, is not a recipe for success. You'll always be counting on someone who does not have YOUR best interest at heart making the decision on what you get.

Can you get a good deal on a stock picture purchase? Apparently you can. The positive reviews prove that. I can't be sure the other reviewers have the same standards I have. Nor can I base my purchase on their review.

 

100% agree, but it definitely brings a lot of confidence in purchasing. However, if I think I can get a better deal at other stores that offer even slightly better condition/better luster and finer details being sold in a posting as *Exact Coin Pictured*: I’ll go straight to them. Eliminates all the mystery.

 

You probably already know this, but eBay has MANY filters you can set to find exactly the dates, mints, grade (or none) that you are specifically looking for. It cuts down scrolling through endless junk listings, although there are some really nice ones and sometimes a real bargain. A lot of small sellers are selling granny's coin collection and have no idea what condition or value they have. The downside is like walking into a hardware store needing one specific thing and you leave with a buggy full of merchandise.

 

Yep! I'll even look at "sold listings" to give myself somewhat of an idea of how much I should be paying for certain coins in certain grades, or to get the best deal possible. I also have separate saved searches for US only, and Authorized sellers on pricier stuff. Actually just stumbled upon this and watching it out of curiosity to see if it sells because I have an 1883-CC Morgan that has less rim damage

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1869216735...uid=rYYw9bLoQeO&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

Just quick pictures, but you can see they are DEFINITELY not Gem BU, I'd say AU at best (MAYBE one or two MS60) but for the price point i paid, I'm not disappointed. I now have 3 Morgans, 3 Peace Dollars (going to try to buy at least 1 of every year and mint Morgans were made.) However, I'll definitely be buying "Exact Coin Pictured" from now on, I've been seeing too many NICER coins with those kind of listings to pass up

 

Al, they sent you one with a ding at the bottom. I'd return for a refund. Too many nice ones out there that aren't damaged and cleaned to pay good money for. Also keep an eye out for auctions, there are some decent deals out there, just don't go chasing the dragon too hard. (Unless that is a 1928 and not a 1923, that's a game changer, it's hard to tell in your photo).

 

Yeah I saw that ding, they're all 1923's though. But you're definitely right, because I've seen a lot more sellers providing better quality with "exact coin picture" listings. Not crapping on the seller, but I know i can get better. I have an idea already of what i want to do with the money

 

Yep, definitely going to play it smarter from now on. Seller was quick to respond so I’m not going to badger them, I just don’t want to leave it in the sellers hands as to what exact coin I’m getting anymore when I’m the one handing out the money. One time is enough for me.

 

oh 100%, I'm not afraid to take some risks from time to time (with Silver I'm a little less strict) but I won't be doing the same thing when i get my first gold coin (I'm thinking about starting out with a $5 Gold Eagle from Apmex).
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained.

 

A HALF Eagle is a $5 gold coin.

A quarter eagle is a $2.50 gold coin.
An Eagle is a $10 gold coin.
A double Eagle is a $20 gold coin.

In an investigation, details matter.
- Jack Reacher

 

I was just going off what I saw on the slab, something like this I think would be an ideal 1st gold coin for me.

 

Sounds sort of the same with ASE's but I know there are the "technical denominations" when it comes to the Gold Eagles (Quarter/Half/Eagle/Double.) To add on top of that confusion: the St.Gauden's everybody knows and wants (including myself) is the Double Eagle, but St.Gauden's design is also on the lower denomination AGE's (at least on the obverse, correct me if I'm wrong). So if it is the St.Gauden's design, I COULD call it a "St.Gauden's", but it's not THE St.Gauden's, so I wouldn't. LOL

 

True. And here we have the confusing part. Truth be told, he never did mention he wanted to buy a modern 'American' $5 Gold Eagle. His original quote was:

And now with his addended quote where the APMEX ad literally says, 'Random Date', the selection of modern vs pre-1933 is even more obfuscated.