Coins We Love - April 4
One of the best things about the coin business is that while we’re continually dealing in coins, no day is ever the same. Telling customers what we do and how we’re different is also unique from dealer to dealer. However, one thing that I’ve been noticing when reviewing ads from other companies and reading message traffic through various dealer networks is that everyone claims to pay the most for whatever coins they specialize in. In fact, when I think about it a bit, it seems to be the case for at least the last 15-20 years. It takes on different flavors like “Give us first shot!”, “XXX pays the most for PCGS/CAC”, “No! We pay the most”, “Use Our Auctions, We Sell the Most”, to “This is our specialty, how can you consider anyone else”, “We spend the most in marketing EVERYWHERE and you can see our Record Prices.” While I can’t say that we haven’t done some of this in our marketing as well, the same messages get pushed, whether it’s in our business or in another collectible business.
For today, maybe I won’t say we’ll pay the most. All I know is that we always need coins, we think we get fair returns for our customers via auction (some say it’s the Best!), and we have loads of dealers lined up to sell us coins at shows (if they shipped them to us, they’d get more though). Although, when I really look at what DLRC is, it’s the people here. And the people here treat customers with respect and dignity and work hard for them. Do I think everyone should work with DLRC? Yes, I do. But I can’t convince everyone. However, if you give us a chance, I’m sure you’ll be pleased.
Hansen Update:
We’d like to pass along congratulations to D.L. Hansen who is now the proud owner of the #1 set of Kennedy Half Dollars with Major Varieties. With a purchase through DLRC of some incredible coins from the Whitlock Collection, Mr. Hansen vaulted into first place with a 100% complete rating this week. You can see this fantastic collection here:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dollars/kennedy-half-dollars-major-sets/kennedy-half-dollars-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-1964-present/alltimeset/175476
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: When it comes to fresh-looking material, this coin is certainly in that upper class. A popular and scarce early Gold Eagle type coin that originally comes from a mintage of just 37,449 coins struck. A notably strong strike for the issue that offers plenty of remaining luster over these beautiful bright yellow-gold surfaces. The eye appeal and grade level make this piece perfect for both the advanced type collector and early gold enthusiast.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this early gold type coin valued at $25,000. This lustrous Old Green Holder example can be acquired in this week’s auction with a relatively low reserve amount of just $21,500. That is a fair discount of $3,500 from the PCGS Price Guide.
Why we love it: Coming from a long-time collector in the Bayou, this piece displays all the bells and whistles that you could desire. A lovely choice uncirculated scarce, early Half Eagle type coin from a low mintage of just 32,488 coins struck. This is a gorgeous, original gold piece with a light rose rim toning on the reverse and beautifully lustrous fields all around. This coin is so close to a near-gem MS64, and the CAC sticker and plus grade are completely unsurprising and deserved.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this beautiful Bust Half Eagle valued at $37,500. This lustrous CAC approved example can be acquired in this week’s auction with a reasonable reserve amount of just $34,475. That is a fair discount of over $3,000 from the PCGS Price Guide.
Why we love it: This overdate is the top Cherrypick among Indian Head Cents. It is a highly demanded, rare variety and is a necessary addition for the Major Variety set of Indian Cents. This lovely choice AU example features rich original coloring along with wear that is so light its barely even visible making this an incredible example of the variety.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $23,000 with the CPG Value coming in far lower at $18,200. Both assessments are quite bloated but do show the desirability and rarity this variety holds. It is available for purchase via the Make Offer function for just $11,500, which we find to be an excellent value for an NGC-graded example.
Why we love it: A much tougher S-Mint Buffalo to find, which in gem condition becomes notably rare. At PCGS this coin is part of a population of just 14 with only one piece graded finer. This gem is lightly toned and crisply struck with incredible luster across these pristine surfaces creating high-quality eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide sits at $21,000 with the CPG Value coming in lower at $18,800. This rare gem example of this S-Mint Buffalo Nickel is available for purchase via Make Offer for just $15,500, which we find to be an exceptional value.
Why we love it: A gorgeous near-gem Large Cent that only has three other pieces graded finer for the issue. These lustrous surfaces are bright red complimented by lovely, frosty reddish-pink tints. This immaculate coin is boldly struck with amazing overall eye appeal that makes it hard to believe that it is not in a 65 holder.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this pinkish-red stunner valued at $18,500 in its MS64 grade. This coin that is on the brink of true gem territory is available for purchase via Make Offer for only $14,500. This is an incredible value at a sizable $4,000 discount off the price guide for such a lovely Large Cent.
Why we love it: The 1893-S Morgan Dollar is a famous key date that does more than just transcend its own series as it is so greatly desired by every collector across the entire numismatic spectrum in all grades. This high-end Fine example features even wear and nice remaining details which both make the coin look like a low-end Very Fine. It comes from a small mintage of 100,000 coins struck, in which far fewer have survived and is the lowest of all business strike Morgans as is.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $4,350 with the CPG Value coming in slightly high at $5,000, yet neither factor in any premium for the CAC sticker. This relatively more affordable Fine example of this famous key date Morgan Dollar is available for purchase via the Make Offer function for just $4,100.
Why we love it: A gorgeous gem example of this rare proof Half Cent whose surfaces are pristine and coated in toning. The fields on this piece feature vibrant rainbows in the right angle and light highlighted by blue, magenta, lavender, yellow and green. From a microscopic mintage of just 20 coins originally struck, there are just two graded finer at PCGS with the Brown Color Designation.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this colorful gem at $15,000 in PR65 BN. However, through the Make Offer Function on our website, this rare, stunning proof Half Cent can be purchased at a $3,500 discount for just $11,500! We find this to be an excessively fair value for a coin with this level of scarcity and beauty.
Why we love it: A rare early Double Eagle Issue from a low mintage of just 35,250 pieces struck at the New Orleans Mint. There are only about 20 others graded finer at PCGS with just three in Mint State. This lustrous choice AU example displays gorgeous, frosty surfaces with a pleasant orange-gold patina and subtle mirrors.
Value: The most recent sale of the same date and grade sold this past June for a strong $38,400 right in between PCGS’s estimation of $36,000 and the CPG Value of $41,100. We are proudly offering this example of this rare coin for thousands below all those numbers with a low reserve of just $31,000.
Why we love it: The 1883 with cents issue in the V-Nickel Series is much scarcer than it's no-cents counterpart. These silky golden surfaces are free of any detracting blemishes and hold true to the grade. A true registry-quality gem with beautiful eye appeal and blazing luster. This example is tied with 11 others at PCGS as the Finest Graded.
Value: There’s a one thousand-dollar difference between the PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value, which are set respectively at $5,850 and $4,880. Our ultra-gem example is available for bidding in this week’s auction with a reserve set below both price guides at $4,575 creating a fantastic value for a finest known registry set.
Why we love it: A satiny CAC approved gem example of this popular better date S-Mint Barber Half Dollar. It displays pretty lustrous surfaces with a light golden rim tint that is quite nice for the grade and the overall eye appeal is simply captivating. This stunner truly belongs in an MS66 holder due to the extreme lack of marks.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $5,000 in MS65+ but at just a grade higher they estimate it to be worth $9,500. This gorgeous gem example with a CAC Sticker is available for purchase at the extremely fair amount of $5,000 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: One of the most affordable graded examples of this great early Half Cent type coin you’ll find. This piece is completely original with no cleaning or damage, making it the perfect method toward completing a type set without breaking the bank. This piece comes from a low mintage of just 63,140 coins originally struck.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this early Half Cent valued at $450 in its affordable G04 grade. This scarcer type coin is available for purchase via Make Offer for only $350. This is an incredible value at a decent $100 discount off the price guide.
Why we love it: An affordable and intriguing lot of five gem First Year Eisenhower Dollar type coins. All the coins display ideal luster, mostly blemish-free fields, and well-struck devices that feature sharp detail giving them premium eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide reflects a value of $225 for the combined lot. The group is available for just $200 via Make Offer. This is a great opportunity to obtain these attractive Eisenhower Dollars for $25 off the price guide.
Why we love it: A popular and desirable issue that commemorates the 200th anniversary of the famous frontiersman's birth. D-Mint and S-Mint issues were also minted in '37 with P, D and S-Mints also issued in '35, '36 and '38. This ultra-gem example displays pristine surfaces with some pretty speckled toning and plenty of luster.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $650. It is available for purchase comparable to that number at $575 via Make Offer. That is a fair value for this stunning gem example as this commemorative issue, which offers high popularity and desirability.
Why we love it: From a mintage of 274,077 issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine. Portraits of James Monroe and John Q. Adams are pictured on the obverse of this single year issue with no D or S mints struck. This gem example displays some light, lovely toning and blazing luster making for the absolute ideal eye appeal.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $500 in MS65 but at just a grade higher they estimate it to be worth $2,000. This immaculate gem example is available for purchase at the fair amount of $650 via Make Offer. That is a fair value for this stunning gem example as it truly looks high-end for the grade.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters