coin grading crash course

As we have discussed before coins in estates are very problematic. Way too many heirs have gone to a buyer who knows how to buy them for a lot less than market value, even if they are in PCGS or NGC holders. I have even seen major PNG dealers use unethical methods to get certified coins by saying that the coins are overgraded, or that they have problems and could "turn in the holder" and that you need to sell now at Bluesheet prices. Even more reason to sell through an unbiased method now. Rarely do heirs appreciate collections. Coin collecting is an aging demographic in 2011. The 1950s through the 1980s were probably the peak of the hobby and business.

 

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i have a 2011 ms-70 w burnished and it dont look as good as my 69s do so really just what you want

 

How would it be unethical for a major dealer to get coins offered to them in the mail and then say that they are over-graded or that they could turn bad in the holder at any time? So the dealer says that a better date $20 Liberty coin in mint state is MS60, not the MS62 grade that the service has assigned. Do you realize how big the spreads can be in many coins in this series?

So the dealer scares the customer into selling, he then turns around, makes a couple calls and sells the coin for MS62 money to a major market maker. That is very unethical--two versions of the truth, equivocation, one with the customer selling, quite another with the market maker, and buyer. A dealer that tried to pull this on me, name rhymes with snack bar.

Dealer two with all the credentials, says the coin *could* turn in the holder. How many years has the coin already been in the holder and not turned?

As with most businesses where there is a lot of incentive to fudge on the truth or do so to advantage, there is no where near enough debunking going on to the advantage of the consumer.

 

As to the OP's question on getting coins estimated as to how they would grade at NGC or PCGS, I think he/she is going to have a hard row to hoe. There are no "crash" courses that will bring him up to speed quickly enough, the best that can be done is to give a rough estimate of potential grades. Even if he were to go to a local coin shop, I doubt the owner is a)going to expert or proficient enough to grade the coin right, or b) if he is he probably is not going to give that knowledge away freely, based on my experience; and c) if he goes to a coin show, he may be lucky enough to find someone like Randy Campbell who will give him a really honest, sharp estimate as to where he would be in terms of grading on that coin(s).

 

Wow, this thread seems pretty old, but I am curious, being it is 2018 now.. What are the sentiments of collection coins for maintaining wealth?? Not necessarily for collecting as a hobby.

Is it better to purchase bulk, leave them sealed from the mint? in this instance Silver Maple Leaf Monster boxes, because they have a better metal content?? or purchasing pre-slabbed coins (MS70) for maybe $10 over spot price depending on the coin of course?

I am looking to invest a significant amount into Platinum, Gold and maybe some Palladium for future purposes. I have also notice that a Sealed monster box can appreciate of 20% in 10 years.

Canadian Maple leafs seam to be much better intrinsic quality that US coins, aside from the Gold Buffalo Dollar.

Any Comments are appreciated, so let me have it..

 

Most coins are neither a good investment nor a good store of wealth. The coin market has been declining for a couple of decades.

 

Asking a bunch of coin collectors for advice about investing in precious metal bullion probably isn't going to end well.

CoinTalk has another sub-forum for that. You'll get better advice there.