Not a cut bid this time...

I've just been watching the current Heritage auction session, waiting for one coin to cross the block. As usual, when internet bidding opened a couple weeks ago, I made an initial scan of the offerings and placed tiny bids on coins of interest.

One of the coins struck me from the beginning as a prime target. Although it is more deeply toned than I generally like, this one seemed pretty to me. It also has low population: combined NGC and PCGS count is just 10, with only a single NGC better. It is a 1873-S half dime, NGC graded MS 66. The lone 67 is in the number 1 set...

Aside from liking the coin (and I hope and expect to like it as much when it arrives in hand), I also like the price. The last two appearances of an 1873-S in 66 at Heritage were both this same coin (both times in an older NGC slab, but now sporting one of the newer edge view holders). It sold for $1610 three years ago, and for $920 less than a year after that. The NGC retail price guide has it at $1780, and the Numismedia NGC number is $1300. I had the high absentee bid ($750 [not including juice]), and was prepared to bid somewhere in the middle of the numbers above during the live event. But I did not have to. There was no advance, so I will be paying $862.50 plus shipping.

Obviously, one has to be a little concerned by the decline in price for this coin (both this individual piece and the issue in general). But it looks good to me in the photos. So I think I just got a nice, high grade, low pop coin at a bargain price.

Happy hunting to all!