Ok, I've been slowly leaning to liking Ike. Don't know how that happened, but am thinking of looking for an Ike (probably slabbed) to get. So, what should I be looking for?
I'm actually trying to *yeah, I know, coin collecting is a hobby, not an investment* find one that is affordable today, but combo of year/high enough grade/variety to be (possibly) 'worthwhile' (i.e., 'salable'). It is subjective, but I am thinking perhaps the Ikes could be poised for a nice little collecting niche and I would like one that I could be 'proud of' (subjective, I know).... Perhaps some who collect Ikes and tell people not to get below X grade or whatever will chime in. I'm trying to understand the market and all. And I tend to like Business strikes.
Here's a good read - but I always compared Ikes to bedbugs - once you get them they are hard to get rid of!!!! http://www.numismaticnews.net/article/nobody_likes_ike_clad_dollar_series
Looks like HIGH MS and 72 TYPE 2 Eisenhower Dollar Red Book MS-63 vs. NGC/FMV & PCGS MS-65 Coin Red Book[1] MS-63 NGC/ FMV[2] MS-65 PCGS[3] MS-65 1971 $7 $97.50 $225 1971-D $6 $41.25 $60 1972 T1 $6 $87.50 $250 1972 T2 $70 $1,880 $1,900 1972 T3 $6 $150 $190 1972-D $5 $33.75 $55 1973 $14 $56.25 $90 1973-D $14 $50 $59 1974 $6 $55 $82 1974-D $6 $25 $42 1976 T1 $7 $162.50 $240 1976 T2 $5 $27.50 $15 1976-D T1 $5 $57.50 $15 1976-D T2 $5 $23.75 $15 1977 $2 $23.75 $50 1977-D $2 $26.25 $47 1978 $2 $43.75 $50 1978-D $2 $30 $57
I would suggest you buy not by grade, but eye appeal. If you have a lower budget, there are SO many Ikes out there you can spend time waiting for some to turn up you like. Don't be in a rush to buy because you think they are gaining in popularity and will be worth more sooner than you can get one. Identify your budget and stick to it. Define if you want a clad business strike or an MS 40% silver type. The clads have a different look from the 40% silver, IMO, so you need to choose which appeals to you as well. In your research and study of what to buy, you may also get hooked and become an Ike collector too, so be ready to accept that very real possibility.
Well, I don't have thousands to spend, so the highest grades are out. But perhaps say between 100-400.00...... Trying to keep away from anything MS64 and down as they are too "common" to find, overall. Don't have to have top of the pops, just trying to find the sweet spot of what might at the very least retain value, if not go up if more collectors are in it in the future (and I kind of think it's quirky enough that with time passing, and the resources that are available to study this issue, that could happen)...
Don't get too hung up on those guide book grades they are very generalized. Most collectors will simply go by auction results anymore what with resources available online, and which are more up to date than published material.
Try to find one with semi-pl surfaces. They are far more attractive, although somewhat tricky to find. If you can't find one of those, look for a nicely toned one (make sure its NT). If you don't want one of those, go for the highest grade you can find/afford.
Wow, I didn't know there was a real market for these. The silver blue envelope ones go for $10, slabbed MS65's go for $10 - $15. The poof 1976 set I picked up was $11. I've purchased mint cello P & D sets for $5 (2 Ikes). I'm surprised the budget is so high. I would think you can get the entire set for that, maybe even two sets. I've also swapped for them in AU to UNC for $1.50 value against each Ike.
I would get a slabbed 1976-S Silver proof to start off with. Many nice examples on eBay. Reasonable prices.
If I were looking for a $200 Ike for a type set, I'd get a 40% 1973-S in MS68. There are enough that it won't be too hard to find one you really like, but not so many that it's a common coin. It would also fit in my prime set, but that's just me.
Buy yourself a really nice, high end MS65 1976-P Type 1 . . . not Type 2. There are lots of doggy MS65 coins of that date out there, so you have to be selective, but if you buy a true gem, you've got a coin with a future. - Mike
Thanks all! I will start looking at the Long Beach show. I will share when I find one. All I need now is to know what a doggy coin is