I have made a decision to begin putting together a Perth Mint Lunar Series 2 set in MS 70, and I was hoping to garner some insight from collectors with experience in the series. I am not one to buy a label, so I will be avoiding the ER flag examples and be attempting to either get my own examples graded or find regular NGC MS 70. What would you suggest I focus on as far as cost-effectiveness of this set? Purchase already slabbed coins or go with grading fees on the odd encapsulated original? Also, I am having a bit of a disadvantage figuring out if I am able to purchase these at release from Perth or if the MS versions are part of a secondary market. (All I can find on Perth's website are Proofs) If these are only made available through distribution (which is fine), my question is 'when' is the best time to purchase these from the retail sellers? I have always liked this series from afar though I never really paid attention until the Year of the Dragon.. now I've decided I'm in. I would appreciate any insight before I begin my research. Cheers.
You're making a smart move by avoiding the "Early Releases" label. It's just a come-on for sellers to squeeze more money from buyers. However, I also have to question your decision to purchase coins graded MS70. First, can you tell the difference between a 69 and a 70? If not, you're probably wasting money buying the 70's. Furthermore, if you're unable to find 70's on the secondary market, how much money do you think you will waste buying raw sets and submitting them for grading? I think you will find that it will be considerably less costly acquiring 69's. Chris
I've decided to do this at the 70 level for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are not quite a lot of coins in the set and I would like to begin the collection at this level as it will be easier to maintain. I don't have any series collections at 70 so this will be a first in that area as well (First collection in the series, first 70 as well). Secondly, I am noticing a good long-term appreciation in this series thus-far (some better than others) and feel like it will be a conservative risk on my part to put up the extra money in the beginning. You could be spot-on though, and I could be spending more than I should. I will have to evaluate everything once I become more familiar with the series. I am definitely up for all opinions at this point and would love to hear more first-hand insight. Not in the buying phase yet!
MS-70? Have you considered how many coins will be minted? And the price associated with each MS-70 coin? What happens to your collection if 1, just 1 coin in the set is graded MS-69 and no 70's? Just food for thought. Best wishes on assembling this set if that's your final decision.
Certainly weighing all the options. The conservative collector in me is screaming at me to just pick up raw encapsulated versions and just let the long-term appreciation determine the sets value. This would be the easiest/safest route.. On the other hand I can always grab 69 slabs as chris has suggested; fullfilling my desire to have a legitimate high-example set at a fraction. However, there's also a nagging desire to challenge myself to complete the new set as my first 70 (as i will only need to buy one coin a year once i catchup ).. This conflict is why I am reaching out to my cointalk pals, to gather as much opinion/facts along the evaluation phase.
Oh, really? Do you think it will be that easy? Don't forget, you will have to compete with all of the other Registry Set collectors who devolve into a feeding frenzy fighting for the 70's every year. It's this "Keeping up with the Joneses" attitude that drives the prices ridiculously high, and sometimes it takes a few years for the prices to drop. Might I suggest that you go to one of the larger shows and find a dealer that has specimens in both grades. Take a look at them carefully and see if you really can't live without the 70's. Chris
I.L. McDougal This would make a great first 70 set . Year of the Monkey silver coins include a reverse proof It’s that time again when the annual parade of Chinese Lunar coins depicting one of twelve animals begins to dominate the new releases. Coins dated-2016 are now being issued even though the Lunar calendar starts on February 8 of each year. 3% discount by using the code “THANKYOU”
