A friend of mine’s father passed away last month, and he wanted me to look at a box of coins his father had. There was a wide variety of coins in the box and ranged from cents to silver dollars. The first thing I came across was three half dimes. I had never seen a half dime in person, so I thought this might be a nice mix of coins. The three half dimes were: 1854 Arrows, 1856 O, and an 1860. All three had fully readable liberty on them and would rate a F to VF. That put them in the $20-$30 range each. The rest of the box had three Morgan Dollars; 1883 S cull, 1885 O VG, and an 1890 O VG. Three Peace Dollars; Two 1922 Ps F and VF, and a 1923 P in F. One Barber half dollar 1907 P in fine, and a 1912 Barber Quarter in VG. There was also a 1925 Stone Mountain Commemorative half in EF condition. The rest of the coins were in rolls and included silver half dollars, Roosevelt dimes, mercury dimes and Indian head cents. I don’t know how he stored them, but they were all a grayish color with no luster whatsoever. The melt values of the silver were $1400. Anyway, I bought the three half dimes for $60, and had a good time looking through the coins.
I get requests often to look at coins, but nothing as cool as these! Half dimes are one of my favorites, especially the seated liberty series. Nice coins!
I'm sure you know this but don't do anything to the coins. No cleaning of any kind. They look nice just the way they are and should not be messed with. I think you got a nice deal at $60.
I do too. It’s always been the same. The individual or family asks me to give them a value of fill in family members name valuable coin collection. Out comes the cigar box with common pocket change. Some look like environmental damage others were cleaned with a Brillo pad. After I spend time sorting and checking for any ringers just to be sure I break them the bad but truthful news that the few if any silver coins have melt value. Always a small fraction of the millions of dollars in treasure they thought they had. Then I’m the bad guy who doesn’t know what I’m talking about. I always did it as a curtesy. Never had any intent on making an offer to buy. Never saw anything worth making an offer on. I wish I had a polite way of declining.
I've had friends approach me to look at their coins, but nothing as cool as what you are describing. You got a good deal IMHO.
