For the copperheads out there, I tend to use numismedia for estimating fmv on my large cents. But I look at where a few guys are selling stuff, and they're clearly in a different world (much higher). JJTeaparty for one, or the EAC inventory lists that go around. I've noticed in part these guys are the ones that attribute coins they're selling. is there some secret source for large cent pricing i don't know about?
You are using the wrong guide and probably the wrong grading scale/criteria. Try CQR (Copper Quotes by Robinson) which is the standard price guide used by EAC members. You can request a copy via mail or PM me for his phone. Jack Robinson PO Box 9426 McLean, VA 22102 http://www.coppercoins.com/bibliography/early.htm#copper quotes See Post #10 by 900fine http://www.cointalk.com/t103667/ "It is extremely difficult to come up with price estimates for early copper, particularly when hard-core die variety collectors are in the room. My estimates often differed wildly from actual prices realized. I'm not talking about 5 or 10%... I'm talking about multiples of 3 to 5 times (sometimes higher, sometimes lower). Things were all over the place. Crazy, I tell ya. In particular... compare Greysheet with Copper Quotes By Robinson. Often you will find R.1 coins in the "same" grade priced 3 to 5 times higher in CQR than Greysheet. The first thing to realize is those aren't the "same" grade. CQR uses EAC grading, while Greysheet uses TPG grading. Early American Copper specialists grade by a different method, and 95% of the time EAC grades are two or three levels lower than the same coin in a slab. Take that into account when comparing price lists. Pricing is an art and a science. With EAC, it involves guesswork as well. SWAG it. Be opportunistic and patient, be ready, and when you see The Right One pull the trigger." Read more: http://www.cointalk.com/showthread.php?t=103667&pagenumber=#ixzz16w4el8S9
Very helpful. Next logical question, how to think about the difference between EAC grading and TPG grading? As far as I've read, it really relates to the practice of net grading. But I'm sure there are layers upon layers of complexity beyond that.
Excellent post. Also remember that CQR and EAC members also classify coins' CONDITION as well as detail. The Choice, A(verage) +(plus), A(verage), A(verage) -(minus) and Scuzzy conditions account for the greatest measure of differences between EAC copper and Ebay copper for the most part. If you've actually seen the difference, it's quite remarkable. Great Ebay coins are usually between A and A- in condition with the largest bulk being various levels of scuzzy. Then the unusual market for the available coins can cause a small handful of buyers to move the market substantially and disappear in a nanosecond when those same buyers turn to sellers. Also, don't be confused by Average when discussing condition. It's NOT the condition of the average coin, but the average of the range of conditions which is heavily skewed toward low condition coins. The (typical) coin is scuzzy+ - not Average. An average condition coin might represent the top 5% of a typical sample. A choice coin may only represent the top 1% of a typical sample. This should really make things confusing.
Robinson put out a new edition (19th edition) dated october 2008, so that is a fairly recent and actual guide. It is interesting to go through it. My question is: Dealers specilizing in ealy copperr go by CQR when pricing, that is for sure. But what do they use when buying? It would also be interesting to know whether coins sold through the major auction houses follow CQR as far as prices realized, or a more generalized price guide.
