Aloha everyone, I am looking at my next big purchase at a Proof Indian cent in atleast PF-64. I found this one and it is dead in my budget, It looks nice. I'll only buy them as certified. Is this a good price? Mahalo, Coinguy56 http://cgi.ebay.com/1881-Proof-Indi...67?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item5d28a7e2e7
$475 + $10 shipping. I love the looks and it surprises me how low the prices are on these considering they are older than MPL's but maybe a higher mintage?
I can say this much. If you do buy from Randall you will get great service, bought many coins from him over the years.
To me, the coin is spotty. There's a big one obverse 'twixt the feathers and "A" in AMERICA. There are several spots / discolorations on the reverse. For PR64 money, you can do better IMO.
I agree with 900fine. I think the spots just does it in, but looks like a well struck coin. I would check out heritage, they have a bunch of proofs up for auction. There is what looks like a nice pr64 1881. You might even be able to save money.
I'd pass as well,although Randall is a great seller & I have bought many Bust Halves in the past from him & always had a speedy transaction.
I don't like Heritage that much, too much buyers premium bull. All though they had great service and fast shipping, just by the time you add up on buyers premium, you just paid over $100 more than the coin is worth. Edit: The seller who is selling this 1881 is Randall. He has a 1880 and it is just stunning for the same price.
There is little that could be farther from the truth than what you just said. Now I am not saying this to try and convince you personally of anything - you can believe whatever you want. Rather I am commenting for the benefit of others who may read your post and think it is true - when it isn't.
I think you are wrong. The coin posted is $450. Heritage you can get one around $350 for an 1881 PR64 - that includes buyers premium. Then add maybe $12 in shipping so, it might be $370. Only rarely do I see coins cheaper at a dealer(or same cost) than on Heritage. So in this case you could bid $311, maybe win it at $358(or so), plus shipping you are looking at $370. When you buy off ebay the buyers premium is already build into the cost of the coin. Besides a lot of coins go straight from Heritage(teletrade, etc.) straight to ebay with a 20%(or more) profit built into them.
I always check a number of price guides when considering any purchase over $50. One source for Indian's I check is Rick Snow's online and constantly updated guide: http://www.indiancent.com/priceguide.php. He knows better than anyone else of current trends and reflects these in his price guide. Interestingly, he has the value of the 1881 PR 64RB listed for $400 - so I'd pass on it for $475. I do feel this is an average grade PR64 RB, but agree with the above comments that you could find a nicer one out there.
The 1881 is long gone, I found a 1896 PR-64 BN for $450. And everyone can say what they think, I still hate buyers premium. $90,000 coin turns out to be $103,000. No hard feelings, I know there's alot on here that disagrees with me. I love Heritage, they auction any coin regardless of it's rarity. Its the buyers premium that I don't like. All though I am watching a few on Heritage right now and I found a few that are to be auctioned. I'm getting stoked....:smile
I see your point, GDJMSP. But I think Heritage deals in too much buyers premium, atleast it did when I won my MPL. I just think its outrageous that you bid $500 on a coin and it ends up selling for $587. I was really happy with everything else, including the coin. Maybe I'm too used to the bidding on e bay