Poll Question: Have you ever added anything to your collection that was over budget? How did you justify the purchase?

I purchased the U.S. Mint issue Gold Mercury Dime and Gold Standing Liberty Quarter. The quarter was over my budget at $400 at the time, but I believed that the value would increase over time. I didn't purchase the Gold $800 plus Half dollar because that was extremely over budget. I have regretted that, but I am glad I purchased the Dime and quarter.

Name and Address withheld

On my last day at a major coin show, I bought a PCGS MS64 red 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent. It wasn’t on my list, but I justified it as deserved because I hadn’t spent much otherwise. Also, I told myself it was only money.

Mike, Mississippi

I had an opportunity to purchase a $500 note at a fair price. It was well over my budgeted spend, but it was priced reasonably.

KE, Germantown, Ohio

A chance to purchase a 1896-O Barber Half Dollar in PCGS AU58 with a CAC sticker became available. I had recently received some inheritance money, so the timing was right. At that time, there were only two CAC-stickered 1896-O Barber Half Dollars in PCGS Almost Uncirculated 58 condition. One was very colorful, known as "The Property of a Lady," sold by Heritage Auctions on Feb. 23, 2018. This coin was a rarity in Uncirculated condition and seldom offered in AU grades. It had brilliant interior fields with amber-gold, violet, and ocean-blue borders. PCGS #34970559.

The second coin, which was up for auction at Stack’s Bowers on April 13, 2022, was more white and golden-tinged than the Heritage coin. The digital images of this coin amplified certain scratch lines on the obverse, making them appear worse than they actually were. In reality, the coin's quality was much better than the images suggested. This may have helped keep the eventual purchase price reasonable. Despite my budget being lower than the actual cost, I decided to stretch my budget for this purchase, considering the coin's potential future value. With only seven certified as AU58 by PCGS at that time, and only two of those with a green CAC sticker, this coin was in the condition census for Everyman collections. For the PCGS #44029591 Barber Half, Stack’s Bowers stated: "It is a lightly toned, golden-tinged coin with nearly full mint luster on both sides. Sharply struck, and sure to sell for a strong premium. Over the years, we have handled only a couple of other coins below the Mint State level whose quality and desirability rival that of the present example." PCGS #44029591.

Today, there are nine certified and a 3rd approved coin with a green CAC sticker. I have seen this new CAC’d coin digitally, and it shows as darker in color and seemingly not as pleasing. I am grateful for owning the #44029591 half dollar, and I believe if it were re-sold, it would go for multiples of the previous auction win purchase price. Any over-budget purchase has to have a firm return on $ value spent.

Name and Address withheld