Would like to purchase a $20 SG

Looking to purchase a $20 Saint Gaudens piece. Looking for a MS-65 specimen, but I’m checking around, it appears Apmex is one of the better prices I can find.
I went to the Hartford Coin Show, but didn’t really see anything in that grade for comparable pricing.
There are no coin shops locally…. One of the bad things about living in the sticks.
What advice do you seasoned folks have? Is Apmex a bad choice?
Thanks

 

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You can't go wrong with APMEX. I've had nothing but good experiences with them through the years. You probably won't find anything cheaper on the net. You could also check JM Bullion.

 

I did look at JM Bullion, but they didn’t seem to have anything better than MS63 in anything certified

 

If I may ask, what's the draw to an MS65 coin? I've looked at plenty of MS63's that look just as good as a MS65. I don't want to pay a premium for the perceived "numismatic" value of the higher grade when I can save the money for other things. Unless the coin is being used for a registry set, go with the lower grade. Just my two cents.

 

Do you just want something that says "MS-65" on the label or do you want a TRUE nice-looking MS-65 Saint ? I suspect that even if the best price, that online bulk sellers like Apmex are selling you "C" quality Saints for the grade.

What is Apmex quoting you and what did you see at the Hartford Show ?

BTW, what year are you looking at -- 1924, 1927, 1923-D ?

How much more are you talking about ?

You can always come down to NYC or up to Boston where there are more dealers, even in the suburbs of each.

Any chance you would go to a larger coin show like the Bay State Coin Show or even FUN 2023 ?

 

Are you just looking for a single Saint to have in your collection or are you going to be possibly adding more over time ?

If the latter, then you might want to get a really nice-looking coin even if you have to pay a bit more.

 

For me, I am looking for the best technical grade I can afford, which, in judging price, is MS65. MS66 is out of my price range.
I’ve actually been looking for a bit, but from what I’ve actually been able to put my hands on, most seem to be MS62,63, with occasional 64’s.
This will be my single Saint, unless I fall in love with them.
The year to me is inconsequential.

 

I get that...that's where I was from 2012-2015 when I bought my 1st Saint. In fact, MS-65 was as high as I could go until I went looking for my 1923-D and paid up at FUN 2020.

You might find some very nice-looking MS-63's (maybe even with CAC) that have good luster and clean fields.

Got it....then I would say since there is a very good chance this is your ONLY Saint (pains me to write that )....get a real-nice looking one. You're going to look at it and show it to people....you don't want to say you should have spent a few hundred more $$$ to get a coin that really blew you away.

I would check out the 1923-Ds which are close to a common coin in MS-63 but with very good luster and shine.

Here's my MS-66:

 

But your grade and price range dictate that you are going to be looking at only certain years in certain grades. Decide your maximum budget and then choose the year/grade.

I would probably go 1923-D, 1927, 1915-S, and 1924 in that order. A few more years are "commons" but less quantities to choose from. I'd stay away from the 1908 No Mottos.

Here's a 1915-S MS-63 I picked up basically for spot bullion:

 

Very good advice.

Here's a 1927 I picked up years ago. Graded MS63 by NGC

 

@BuffaloHunter , @GoldFinger1969 thank you so much for your informative answers….. I have the bug to do something soon. When I get something I’ll post it here and do one of those GTG posts so you guys can tear me apart.
One supposes that SG’s could be like potato chips in the “ can’t get just one” regard.
I’m still looking.

 

Good luck...be patient...the coin will ALWAYS be there so get one you are going to really like especially if it is going to be your only one.

A few hundred dollars can mean the difference between an OK-looking coin or a really great-looking one. Better to spend $2,500 and be blown away rather than $2,100 and say the coin is merely OK.

 

Get on HA stacks bowers GC and look at saints. Don’t be a slave to grade. Buy eye appeal. Find a well struck coin with good luster even if it’s a 63 or 4 and that’s the one you want. As others will too

 

I have often found MS-64 to be the “sweet spot” where you got good eye appeal at a more reasonable price. A nice MS-64 can be as good has a “C” quality MS-65.

 

This $20 gold is a PCGS MS-65, CAC



This one is a PCGS MS-64



And this is an NGC MS-63.

 

all quite stunning

 

Here is another MS65, bought this in 2009.

 

PLEASE NOTE.....I inadvertently had the 1923-D reverse photo as the photo of the 1915-S reverse.

It has been corrected.

 

Why not post pictures here (if available) before you buy it? That way we can help you with opinions and not tear you apart after the purchase.

 

I basically buy on appearance, some MS
graded coins have some serious issues
scratches and gouging among other things, I like the A/U grades 53, 55 and
58, most of the time these are problem
free just lack some luster, here’s a nice
58 from my collection.