Good buy? Grade opinion on NFLD 5 Cent

[JJ in TX]

These days I usually stick to trying to find third party certified coins - living in TX means a paucity of opportunity to see Canadian coins in person. Every once in a while, I take a gamble on something that is noncertified since the pictures online are often worse than what I produce (see below). At any rate, I purchased the following at a local online auction. They described the coin's condition as "Choice AU". In hand, the coin has a really pleasant luster that I failed to capture (it looks MS from a distance). The online photos never showed the scratch on the observe. After the hammer, I believe that I paid $104 USD. So, the question becomes, did I do well or not? Fingers crossed!

[Bucsfan]

If you sent it to a TPG in the US it would more than likely get details, for the scratches and marks on the obverse, and it definitely looks cleaned as well. I think it’s an easy EF-45 maybe even an AU-50. $104.00 US is about $145.00 Canadian so by this sites values you might make a few bucks if a buyer was okay with the scratches and the surfaces, and a grade of EF-45/AU-50. Just an opinion

[Bill in Burl]

I think that it's AU for wear, but the scratches and pits, will take it down. Vicky's face/head looked pretty well dinged as well. Given the exchange rate is $1.37, think that you broke about even on the purchase, as a TPG would drop it a grade and also make it a details coin.

[JJ in TX]

Caveat Emptor...

I would not have purchased the coin had their pictures been more clear - the fault is mine: if it's "too good to be true", there is probably a reason for that. Hence my preference to only buy TPG coins.

A few years ago I would often buy ungraded coins online - but only if Bob Armstrong was the one who provided the opinion. I believe GateWest used to sell a number of coins that he had graded. Otherwise its been hit or miss for me when buying raw coins online. Actually I have never taken Bob's coins out of the 2x2's that they arrived in as I think his hand writing on the cardboard is too iconic to replace.

As for this coin, a shame. Thanks for your expressing your opinions!

[Bill in Burl]

Yes, Bob's handwriting can't be mistaken for anyone else's. You still have a nice coin there.

[sunmooncoins]

Scratched and probably cleaned. Not very attractive coin. Not worth sending it for grading. It would be just waste of money.