I am looking into buying a US silver coin from the 1700's. Not looking to spend a ton but would just like to own one that is not a cull, but nothing spectacular in condition as I don't want to spend too much. I am guessing it would probably be a Draped Bust Dime, but looking for suggestions.
A certified Large cent would be a great way to go. 1798 is a fairly common date that is quite affordable. Here is a nice one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321408112328&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT I would stay away from the raw coins on Ebay, most wont pass with a TPG. Good luck in your search.
Thanks for the suggestion. I collect silver and small gold so I would be looking for a silver coin. Not really looking to spend more than a couple hundred bucks and looking on eBay I could probably spend what I am looking to, but you are right about purchasing raw on there.
It's nearly impossible to find and pre-1800 U.S. Silver or small gold for under $1000. I have searched daily for years.... I am yet to find any.
Yeah I figured as much. I seem them on eBay for cheaper, but like you said its tough to trust the raw ones. I'll just probably have to venture into the early 1800's.
You can get some great early 1800's capped bust halves for what your looking to spend. In my opinion, it's a heck of a deal too.
Reasonably inexpensive US silver from the 1700s? No such thing unfortunately, unless you count a grand or two for a low-grade coin as "reasonably inexpensive"...
Your cheapest bet will likely be a 1795 flowing hair half. They made over 200k of them and a clean original problem free graded one in g-vg can be found for 8-1200 I have one in pcgs g-06 I paid $990 for a couple years ago. If your not as fussy a details graded one could be bought for less. Your other option would be a draped bust dollar again in the g- vg area 1799 is the most common date and can be bought slabbed and problem free in this same range both are nice big coins and in my opinion attractive even in well circulated grades
If you want an early silver coin for a couple hundred etc I'd look at the 1805-7 draped bust halves and quarters I bought a 1807 last fall raw but in hand for $250 pcgs called it f-12 was a nicely retoned old dip but graded problem free you really gotta know what your doing to buy raw tho me I'd stay away from feebay a good place to look would be ha often the end of their signature auctions they have a lot of lower grade early coins and if there's quite a few something decent could go reasonable I often see bust quarters and halfs sell for under $400 sometimes $2-250
Another thought might be buying a 18th century coin that was extensively used in the US. Here I am talking about a Spanish 8 reales or smaller piece minted in Mexico City. This was the real "silver dollar" in the US, and its fractions were the real workhorse US coin denomination for well into the 19th century. Something like a one reales piece in the 18th century can be bought for well less that $100 in nice shape. For US, due to extraordinary collector demand, there simply is not any "reasonably priced" 18th century silver. I own some, but would never call any of their prices "reasonable".
