Re: Whats a 3 Ringer worth----Long Post---
We used to dig them and every one we'd dig up we say "well its another quarter" But now because of the N/S Traders Price Guide everything has gone through the roof even if it is common. We always thought the N/S Priceguide ruined the hobby when it came out. You started seeing alot more of them in the late 80's and early 90's. The guides were $20 then, now $39. Usually the prices were set by different persons who excelled in that particular item or collected those particular pieces like frame buckles, US buckles, conf. buttons, shells and so on. The only problem with that was if you collected confed. frames and had a box full like the guy I knew, then you'd stick a high price on them causing them to double in price. Kinda crooked if you asked me and alot of collectors thought so too. And my last trip to Franklin TN Show there was alot and I mean alot of US plates on every table for crazy prices, but they weren't moving.They aren't selling too many US buckles for $250 that was bought 10 years ago $125.we would sell buckles for $55-$65. Theres just millions out there.More than you realize.Dealers would like you to think everything is ultra rare but then their trying to sell you their wares.When it came to pricing some dealers would say " My stuff is rare, your stuff is crap.So now lets deal."
But back to your question: Whats a 3 ringer worth? About $.75-$1.00 for drops in todays reality and a little less in bulk due to buying a bunch at one time. There's millions and millions and millions of them out there. They are common. THe only $100 bullets were Whitworths, Collided and some Explosives and some real oddities. They reason because the outrageous and off the wall prices is due to eBay(were people are willing to pay more than its really worth which is stupid) and the internet websites catering to people in New York and places like Canada or California where little to no CW activity took place.
We used to set up at shows and buy and sell at Civil War shows for about 5 years in the late 80's and early 90's. Went to everyone that was scheduled like Nashville,Memphis,Atlanta even some down in Louisiana. We would buy gallon pickle jars with assorted minnies for $25 with a couple hundred in them.
As we once would say, "Theres an a$$ for every seat in the theater." hahaha
