Yup....which is WHY I'm a bit suspicious/cautious. Might in fact look that same amount better if you had both coins in hand, but who knows.
The talk of them being from Europe has gained some currency in recent years, but I believe the original bagging -- falling apart -- traced its lineage to South or Central America during WW I. I believe the stronger evidence still points there, but I'd have to consult my files/archives and some of the threads where I posted over the years.
It's always nice to look at your coins, especially your gold coins. I don't have the kind of money it takes to buy a really nice coin which is gold. Over the past several years I have bought several gold coins from the Mint. I'm not a grader, so when I buy a coin from the Mint, I like the price and I like the way they package them, although they are getting cheaper in their packaging lately. The gold that I like and have bought from the Mint are the Liberty gold coins. I got into collecting too late to get the 2015 American Liberty One Ounce Gold Coin, but I did get the 2017 and the 2021. When I don't get the gold coins, I get the silver ones. If you have the time to look around at gold coins for sale, you might find one or more that suits your fancy. Best of luck in your decisions.
Its the availability of whats on line, there maybe allot out there but where, really to bust to make it to a coin show, so kinda of my only option, unless there falling out of the sky..LOL
Another reason why South/Central America is more likely than Europe: European hoards tended to be moved much more often as they were constantly being shuttled to settle inter-bank payments. The 1983 El Salvador MTB Hoard is a good example of a hoard that had the coins moved very rarely and thus bag marks and other dents and dings were kept to a minimum.
There are some very good looking coins that you can get for the price of 2 bullion coins. The 1923-D in MS-66 condition comes to mind.
Although I realize you aren't in the market at the present time, after looking at hundreds of coins, I found one correctly graded, which I will probably purchase. It depends on the owner who despises me, as I would purchase all of his quality competitive coins. I believe many principals of this site definitely know him! For those looking to acquire a properly graded MS66 1908 NM, here it is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3742279928...xSuXG28FU51dJmAjZdMc77Om7i|tkp:Bk9SR_Lt__XuYA JMHO
I believe that you can almost be guaranteed that holder/coin will have greater value in the future than any holder/coin you've selected. It's recommended that a collector learns to buy the coin rather than a holder. That coin is believed to be a stellar example of what should be found in a MS66 graded holder, regardless of TPG! JMHO
AGAIN!! I believe that you can almost be guaranteed that holder/coin will have greater value in the future than any holder/coin you've selected. It's recommended that a collector learns to buy the coin rather than a holder. That coin is believed to be a stellar example of what should be found in a MS66 graded holder, regardless of TPG! JMHO[/QUOTE]
No, I'm not referring to the grade and the TPG....this is the NGC holder that I like LEAST. I don't like the coin being totally encased in plastic....I like the newer NGC holders with the 4 prongs but this one where the coin is totally encased was never one I liked.
[/QUOTE] Believe it or not the holder is important, I personally only buy PCGS though I think NGC holders are in the same category as far as quality, I find them very bulky just what I prefer.
I think that the OP coin is over graded at MS-66. Here is the first $20 gold I bought back in 1965. I had it graded 20+ years ago. NGC called in an MS-64, which I believe to be accurate. PCGS graded this 1907 "Low Relief" MS-65. I bought it to go with my High Relief $20 gold.
Believe it or not the holder is important, I personally only buy PCGS though I think NGC holders are in the same category as far as quality, I find them very bulky just what I prefer.[/QUOTE] I've noticed that it appears the majority buy the holder! I personally would choose the PCGS holder also if my experience dictated that the holder determines future relative value. As stated previously I have purchasing agreements with individuals that buy supreme CACed coins, and attend major shows, where I purchase some of their normal inventory in addition to any exquisite coin they locate. I just returned from USPS, collecting 2 different CACed coins from 2 different individuals, one NGC $2.5, and the other PCGS $10. Both coins are virtually in fields/devices flawless, but the NGC MS63 is a winner having only one virtually microscopic "scratch" ~.04" long in the Obverse field, only seen by rotating the coin, where PCGS MS64 has 2 similar in the facial region. Both coins have virtually flawless "cartwheel luster"! I'm ecstatic, as usual with my choices for associates, and methodology for acquisition of coins, and the dealers will be happy to have a partial payment for their show attendance. Just as you locate some coins which I would reject, I currently have both the internet, and numerous other extremely qualified individuals available to me. I would/have acquired coins of technical excellence, regardless of their holders from ACG to PCGS, although I have some nasty notes from coin shows "top tier" TPG attendance dealers, when having the ACG coins submitted in their original holders. So, I agree with you that the holder may be of Paramount importance to some. LOL JMHO
I resolved your problem with disliking that holder, by buying that believed exquisitely properly graded holder with coin. JMHO