I bought a few 2005 silver eagle PCGS MS 70 regular strike since 2013 for my small personal collection hoping their prices will rise given the small pop. However, the price of this variety 9975 (regular strike) has seen a sharp decline in all major auction sites during the past few months, from about $800 to $300. I believe it is a result of misunderstanding from the PCGS pop report. pcgs.com/cert/28440623 (as an example) shows that the pop of this variety 9975 has a latest pop of 240 (as of 11/22/2014) which is still much smaller than that of the first strike variety 89975 which stands at 423 (as of 11/22/2014). If you check the pop report: http://www.pcgs.com/pop/detail.aspx?c=939 It shows that "2005 silver eagle PCGS MS70" has a pop of "1243", which is the total of ALL varieties, including 240 for "Base" (regular strike, variety 9975), 423 for "First Strike" (variety 89975) and 580 for "First Strike Mercanti Signature" (variety 519351). However, if you check the PCGS CoinFacts website, variety 89975 shows a pop of 423 (for this particuar variety only) but variety 9975 (regular strike) shows "1243" (which is for all 2005 varieties). This is absolutely an inaccurate and unfair display information for the regular strike. Collectors and dealers are most likely thinking that "1243" is the total for variety 9975 regular strike while in fact it is only "240". I suggest all owners of this variety to ask PCGS to correct this so that the value of our coins can return to its reasonable market values.
Modern MS/PR 70's are a dying fad. The prices have been slowly eroding over the years. I doubt that it's the pop reports that are the cause of the price drop. My suggestion is to get out before you get even more underwater.
You are wrong. There are 1243 MS70 2005 Silver Eagles (so far). There is no difference between the First Strike coins and what you are calling "regular strike".
The primary reason for the drop in value is due to the end of the "feeding frenzy" one would associate with the initial release of any coin. Once all of the registry owners have had their fill, the prices always decline. The terms "First Strike" (PCGS) and "Early Releases" (NGC) are just gimmicks dreamed up by the tv hucksters. They bear no relation to the actual value of a coin except to bidiots. Chris
I understand the the "First Strike" and "Early Releases" are gimmicks but as long as there are buyers (whether new or not) are willing to pay for a premium, the prices are justified. "Sodude", you are right that the total of all varities for 2005 is over 1200. However, if you are right, then why "First Strike" is showing a different pop than the "Regular Strike"? 2005 silver eagle MS 70 First strike link: http://www.pcgs.com/Cert/26777413/ 2005 regular strike link: http://www.pcgs.com/Cert/24107446 Anyone might have a different opinion on this. All that I am trying to say is that, PCGS CoinFacts is treating them differently, showing total of all 2005 varities for the regular strike and showing variety specific only for the first strike. That is not fair for the regular strike. http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Coin/Detail/89975 If PCGS treats First Strike and Regular Strike the same, then the above link should show a pop of 1243 too, not 423 for the First Strike. That is what I feel unfair about. I followed the 2005 silver eagle MS 70 prices since 2012. From that time to early this year, the regular strike has seen a price range of about $700 to $1200 on major auction sites like HA, EBAY, Teletrade, etc. However, just during the past three months, the prices start to nosediving. And I personally think that this is caused by the misinterpretation of the PCGS CoinFacts pop.
That is designated by PCGS, not by me. As to the fact that a lot of collectors think these are just gimmicks by the grading company, that is a different issue.
Look, there are 1423 graded MS 70 so far. PCGS has provided a break down of which different labels were used (First Strike, or regular label). "Regular Strike" is just a term you made up. It just means some coins did not qualify for First Strike labeling. And why would a coin that didn't qualify for a FS label be more valuable? You could just take a FS coin and ask for it to reholdered. Use common sense. There aren't a lot of people who will pay $800 for a bullion Silver Eagle. And there are millions of those coins that have not been graded yet. Naturally the prices will drop over time.
