Coins We Love: Where Coins and Customers Come First
What a week! We’ve launched our first two auctions in the upcoming series of Selections from the Hansen Collection as well as some really nice, new pieces from our travels, packages, and relationships that we’ve cultivated over the past 40 years. I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite offerings of coins that we’ve ever presented in the CWL. So, please look and see how far down you can get on this email, I promise that even if the coins aren’t for you, it’ll be enjoyable to read. And hopefully not quite as dry as one of the phonebooks of auction lists you receive in the coming weeks.
While we’ve listed some fascinating coins in the past two weeks, I’ve been around the office frequently enough (my wife is thankful for the lack of travel!), and we’ve had a lot of interesting conversations with others in the industry. No matter how other dealers feel about us from time to time is truly not our concern. We believe staying focused on a core mission & knowing and continuing to do what we do well is the right long-term approach. So, I won’t go further into it, but to say that we hope our customer appreciate that. We think you do and it’s why we continue to strive to do our finest for you, no matter the size of collection or value of the coin. It’s always in our best interests to serve you.
This week I’ve had two fascinating questions that I think are worth addressing:
Q: “Why can’t you match the offering we get from the other auction house? No seller’s fees is a great deal.”
A: I REALLY wanted to say, “Why would I offer that; I offer better without advertising it.” However, I answered it in a much nicer way: “I don’t want you to pay 12% on the other internet auction house or 20% with some of the larger firms. Your coins qualify for 90% of the final sales price. That’s 2-8% better without discussing it. Yes, it sounds better to have no seller’s fees, but it’s not particularly accurate. The quest is ‘what is the total price paid’ then figure how much the seller is going to make. 90% of the final sales price is the best out there.” It does take a few minutes to understand, but in the end, it makes sense.
Q: “Why don’t you cover return shipping on an outright sale if I don’t like the coin?”
A: Two reasons. I didn’t mark it up enough to cover that cost and I didn’t charge you to ship the coin to you. In the end, it’s costing you far less to buy the coin from us than the other seller and we’re not charging random fees to account for it.
These questions are a bit to the extreme, but they are real. The short answer that I can give on any question like this is either: 1. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is (or they are charging you elsewhere) and 2. It’s simpler to just not charge extra. No Buyer’s Fees, No Shipping, Best consignment rates. We might have a more simplistic approach, but our goal is to make it easy for everyone and to keep the process of buying and selling coins simple. We think that you’ll appreciate it in the end and if not, we’ll still do our best to satisfy you and treat you as someone special - a DLRC customer.
Sincerely,
John Brush and Your Friends at DLRC
Why we love it: The Morelan Collection of Seated Dollars was long the unbeaten set of Seated Dollars. In fact, when looked at, the coins simply should not exist. The quality was truly the best and the coins were amazing. This coin is a gorgeous example of this Civil War Date Seated Dollar from a low mintage of 77,500 coins struck. The surfaces are completely original with moderate blue, rose, and green tints. Well-deserved CAC approval as it is truly high-end for the grade. So, why on earth would you sell a coin of this quality? Well, the Hansen Collection houses another MS65 example with a CAC sticker as well as the finest graded MS66 example for the date. While two is plenty, three is a crowd, and we’re happy to offer this piece in this week’s auction as the true highlight of the first offerings of the Hansen Collection in this new era of sales.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $52,500 in MS65 and $125,000 in MS66. PCGS’s Price Guide does not factor in any premium for CAC approval or premium toning. Our stunning colorful CAC’d gem is available in this week’s auction with a starting bid at just $59,500. This is truly an opportunity to acquire a piece of numismatic history.
Why we love it: A rare proof Quarter Eagle from a miniscule mintage of just 132 pieces struck with only 11 pieces graded finer by PCGS. Frosty devices with strong black and white deep cameo mirrors, the grade accounts for the light marks behind the eye and on the nose of Liberty. Absolutely astonishing in eye appeal and a highlight for any collection.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $32,500 without any premium for its D.L. Hansen pedigree. This gem piece can be acquired in this week’s auction at a $6,500 discount off the price guide as the starting bid is set as low as just $26,000.
Why we love it: In early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, John Dannreuther estimates that the mintage may be as low as 3,500 coins for this date as many of the issues from earlier in the year may have been dated 1795. An underrated date compared to the earlier issue of 1795; it is estimated that 125 to 175 pieces survive heavy melting in previous generations. This piece is a lovely AU example with light orange-golden highlights and plenty of luster.
Value: This coin in this grade has not been sold at auction in over a decade making this a vital opportunity. The CPG comes in at $63,500 while the PCGS Price Guide values this coin at $67,500 without any premium for its D.L. Hansen pedigree. This gem is available in this week’s auction at an $8,000 discount off the price guide with the starting bid set at $59,500.
Why we love it: Regarded as the most famous of all mint errors, the 1943 copper cent is a true rarity. All 1943 cents were supposed to have been struck in zinc-coated steel to conserve copper during World War II; however, some mistakes were made at the Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver mints and some 1943 copper cent examples went into circulation. This piece was found in a gumball machine in Philadelphia in 1976 and was sold to a collector for the then-impressive sum of $1,000. It was passed down to the collector's children who submitted it to NGC for grading through Hudson Rare Coins.
Value: This coin defines the phrase “one of a kind” and is incomparable to any price guide. However, our best price via our Make Offer function on the DLRC website of $195,000 for this bronze 1943 Lincoln Cent is in our opinion a fair and reasonable value.
Why we love it: A beautiful satiny white gem example of this popular key date. One of the big three key date Barber quarters, the 1913-S boasts the lowest mintage of any 20th century silver coin issue. Just 40,000 coins were struck, and few are preserved in high grades. The Hansen Collection houses an MS67 example of this famous issue.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are extremely comparable on this key date Barber Quarter with their estimates at a respective $42,500 and $42,400. We gladly offer a starting bid below both price guides at just $37,500.
Why we love it: A desirable and popular key date in the Standing Liberty Quarter series. Especially rare with the Full Head as the striking was so weak that having the designation makes it a true rarity. With flashy, white surfaces and gleaming luster, this piece is gorgeous for the grade. Only a single piece is graded finer for the date.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are extremely comparable on this Full Head rarity Standing Liberty Quarter with their estimates at a respective $27,500 and $27,800. We gladly offer a starting bid below both price guides at just $24,000.
Why we love it: A scarce proof Liberty Seated Half Dollar from a low mintage of just 500 coins struck in which just a single example is graded finer by PCGS. A stunning gem piece that is fresh to the market with beautiful cameo mirrors with a slight hint of orange-gold.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide Value for this coin is set at $19,500 with its plus grade. Our starting bid in our Sunday Internet Auction is $15,750. That is a solid nearly $4,000 discount off the price guide making it an excellent value in our opinion.
Why we love it: Popular and desirable Carson City Trade dollar type coin with beautiful, lustrous surfaces. Mostly white with a light hint of gold, this near-gem's eye appeal is accentuated by the beautifully designed holder. The Hansen Collection holds another example of the same grade. PCGS has graded only six others finer.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide Value for this coin is set at $20,000 with no premium for its D.L. Hansen pedigree. Our starting bid on the DLRC website is $18,500. That is a solid $1,500 discount off the price guide making it an intriguing value.
Why we love it: Popular, better date New Orleans Morgan issue with excellent white surfaces and luster making for superb eye appeal. Well-struck for the date, there is only a single piece graded finer by PCGS, making this condition rarity a must-have for the serious Registry Collector.
Value: The most recent sale through auction of a similar piece came last year and brought $50,400. The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are extremely comparable and generous on this coin with their estimates at a respective $60,000 and $60,500. We gladly offer a starting bid below both price guides at just $47,500.
Why we love it: There’s nothing that says Utah state history more than the Mormon gold issues that were produced in the 19th century, under the auspices of Brigham Young himself. This fascinating piece exudes rarity and symbolizes much about this state. A beautifully designed Half Eagle with lustrous, yellow gold surfaces with almost no visible signs of wear.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are both accurate with their estimates at a respective $65,000 and $60,500. We gladly offer a starting bid in this week’s auction below both price guides at just $59,500.
Why we love it: A coin overlooked by collectors and dealers, this date is underrated and appreciated by just the most advanced specialists. PCGS suggests that only 30 to 35 pieces are known, with only a single piece that survives as uncirculated. This rare, elusive offering of this issue is an incredible opportunity for rare gold specialists. The Hansen Collection houses a pair of AU53 examples, which accounts for all three pieces that are graded by PCGS as such.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are quite comparable with their estimates at a respective $40,000 and $41,100. This exceptional piece is being offered at a starting bid in this week’s auction at just $37,500, which is below both price guides.
Why we love it: Slightly better date in the Indian Half Eagle series that comes from a moderately low mintage of just 408,000 coins. Choice uncirculated yellow-gold surfaces that show a great strike and amazing luster. Just 20 coins are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The last two auction records of this date and grade combination brought $10,200 and $10,575. The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are set at a respective $12,500 and $11,900. With those number stated, we still have a best price as low as just $10,250 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: Scarce Liberty Gold Eagle of true registry quality from a low mintage of just 76,270 coins struck. Tied for the finest known at PCGS with just one other coin. This is the closest to gem as it gets with the perfect luster and coloring along with a limited amount of marks. CAC approved for good reason as this piece is high-end for the grade.
Value: This coin, being CAC approved and the finest known example defines the phrase “one of a kind” and is incomparable to any price guide. However, our best price via our Make Offer function of $16,000 for this registry quality Eagle is in our opinion a fantastic value.
Why we love it: A registry-quality gem example of this better date Buffalo Nickel from Denver. Sharply struck with frosty, stunning surfaces, booming luster and fantastic overall eye appeal. Eighteen other examples are graded as such by PCGS with only three coins graded finer.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG have valued this coin at $14,500 and $13,300 respectively. The most recent sale of this date and grade was in a September auction and brought $11,750. With those number stated, we still have a best price as low as just $11,250 via Make Offer.
Why we love it: A scarce issue to find in full red, and even tougher with the CAC seal of approval. These surfaces that are high-end for the grade feature beautiful reddish-orange fields with stunning luster. Only seven pieces with the Red designation are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide has this coin valued at $4,000 although a premium for the CAC approval is not factored into that estimate. The best price via Make Offer for this beautiful red CAC’d Half Cent is set reasonably at that same $4,000.
Why we love it: Scarce, low mintage date in the Three Dollar Princess Gold series with just 7,036 coins produced that year. Frosty, lustrous yellow-gold surfaces that show far less marks than one would assume for the grade. Just 44 coins are graded finer by PCGS.
Value: The PCGS Price Guide and CPG Value are quite comparable with their estimates at a respective $6,000 and $5,940. We gladly offer a best price via our Make Offer function on the DLRC website below both price guides at just $5,100.
Why we love it: A stunning gem proof Barber Dime type coin from a low mintage of just 650 coins struck. Mostly blast white mirrors with the slightest rose-gold tints in parts of the fields. High-end for the assigned grade as backed up by its well-deserved CAC approval.
Value: The CPG comes in at $942 for a CAC-stickered item, while our best price via our Make Offer function is set at $900. The PCGS Price Guide has this gem proof Barber Dime type coin valued at that same $900 even with the CAC approval.
Why we love it: An excellent type coin for the popular Capped Bust Half Dollar series. High-end for the grade as shown by the lack of nearly any wear and the CAC sticker. Incredibly lustrous surfaces with rich, beautiful toning. Quality, premium eye appeal.
Value: Our best price via our Make Offer function is set at $825. The PCGS Price Guide has this fantastic Capped Bust Half Dollar type coin valued at $850 leaving a potential buyer with a $25 discount even with the CAC approval.
Check out all of the available "Coins We Love" from past newsletters