I'm new to coin collecting. I was reading about the 1-70 grading scale. If I started collecting graded Washington quarters, what grade is considered a high end collection? Thanks!
to CoinTalk PGK. Most people consider MS65 to be the "bottom" of the high end. Before you start spending big bucks for graded coins, please use the forum search buttom at the top of every page, and read up on the various grading services. If you stray from the first tier - usually identified (in alphabetical order) as ANACS, ICG, PCGS, and NGC - before learning to grade for yourself, you can make some extemely expensive mistakes.
At MS65 and above, you can make some serious mistakes even in the above mentioned slabs I can't tell a PF 69 from a PF 70 - but the difference in the slab can easly be several THOUSAND dollars. Ruben
And about the Franklin, what grade is considered a high end collection? and i mean with the ANACS , NGC, PCGS of course? because for instance, the best i try to collect is MS-64.... thanks
For franklins i dont think its possible to assemble a complete colection of ms66.... let alone if they are FBL or not. They have some coins that grade 67 and i think one or few that are 68 and 69, but none higher... the franklis were just a very weakly struck coin series. The franklins are my favorite coin series to collect, he is one of my favorite literary figures, i love the way the coin 'ages' with the musty coloring it gets. I try to get all MS65FBL when i collect franklins. And i also stay within the top 4 TPG's ....
I agree with what was said above. 65+ is considered "high end" to me. When you get down into the 30's, 40's and maybe 50's for Washington's, those 65+ coins are really going to cost you a pretty penny. Honestly telling the difference between a 64 and a 65 is hard for me. What I think is a 64 can be slabbed a 68 or something and vice versa. Best bet is to look at LOTS of slabbed coins and you'll start to get a feel for what is what. Washington's are one of the hardest coins for me to grade. The silver ones, forget about it.
New to coin collecting? And you want to start out at the top? Must me nice to be wealthy. However, welcome aboard. So strange since most new collectors just want to get their feet wet with low grades and common coins. Good Luck.
When I was new, I didn't want to start out collecting low grade, circulated, commom coins. But, if you don't do some reading and lots of looking at coins, it is true that you can get burned pretty easily. If you're interested in purchasing slabbed coins, I suggest doing lots of looking around on auction sites like Teletrade and Heritage to get an idea of what you're looking at. Also, take a look at how a coin can often double or triple in price between two grades such as MS64 and MS65. Also, if you're interested in Washington Quarters, take a look at realized auction prices with pictures. See what grades of coins (and their associated prices) suit your fancy...and your pocket book. If you find that you in general like MS63 and think that they will fit your budget and desire for your collection, get those. If you like MS66 coins and they fit the budget, get them.
Unless money is no object or you don't mind wasting money on coins that will never be worth what you have paid for them "educate yourself" BEFORE you collect. If you're an investor this is really an important factor. There are so many rip-offs out there today that you could get burnt fast and hard. Just because a coin has been graded and slabbed it does not mean that it is what it claims to be nor is it worth what any book claims it is worth. Find a good coin dealer or better look for a coin clubs in your area and join. This is a money market for so many that your love of collecting can make you a target of opportunists. Good luck, learn learn learn about what you intend to collect. These coins will always be here, the price many vary, but the coins aren't going to disappear all of a sudden. Take your time be smart and you'll be happier, and more pleased with your collection years from now.
None of the 1932 to 1998 Washingtons exist in MS-69 or MS-70. High grade starts at what appeals to the individual collector. This set can be a challenge even in nice attractive MS-63 and a few of the coins will be pricey at this level. MS-64 is the level at which the coins are getting relatively difficult to locate, the level at which you might have to search a few rolls to find so nice a specimen. MS-65 is gem and there will be many more difficult coins and it's the level at which some of the clads start getting tough. MS-66 is doable but the prices can start getting high. All these exist in MS-67 and costs get very high. MS-68's do not exist for many of the dates. Learn as much as possible about the coins, availability and grading. Sell some coins from time to time so you have a feel for the wholesale market and how well you're doing. Keep your eyes on the coins and try to have fun. Good luck.
As a collector of Franklin Half Dollars here in my suggestion. I would stay with NGC or ANACS.....and really if you want FBL.....they are much harder on the Franklin Halves and therefor you will get a better coin for you money....and most of the time cheaper than if you would have bought the same coin in PCGS slabs. Don't go for highest grade out there....go for coins you like.....if that means every coin is MS64....then great but if that means that some are MS65 and some are MS67 and some are MS63.....then that is just as good. As long as you like them that is all that matters. Speedy
