I recently started getting back into coins, after not actively adding much to my collection since the early 90s. Back then, professionally graded coins weren't really a thing, so I'm only learning bits and pieces about that whole process now. Anyway, I bought a 1965 Kennedy 40% on ebay that's slabbed and labled "GSA MS 66" for about $6 with shipping. Some price guides I see have an 1965 Kennedy MS66 going for $100 or more, while others it looks to be worth a few bucks over circulated condition. Did I get a steal at $6, or just a nice coin for about what it's worth?
You did good! Probably a $20 coin. Any slabbed MS-66 silver coin is worth some money. The $100+ coins are different, they look to be cameo SMS (Special Mint Set) coins. For $6, what do you have to lose?
If I am understanding you correctly, let's just say that I wouldn't put too much faith into the claimed "grade". This isn't to say there is anything wrong with the coin itself - it may be a fine example - but it probably isn't quite what you may be hoping for, and likely isn't worth anywhere near what you mentioned in the OP.
I'm pretty sure GSA means the GSA Hoard, I'm not sure if it increases the price, maybe someone else can help. Who slabbed it? NGS PCGS ICG ANACS? Any photos?
There were no GSA 1965 Kennedy's. Sounds like a garage grade nobody. For $6 you are not out, but do not believe the grade on the plastic, its a phony comeon. The only grades to accept really are PCGS or NGC grades.
That's the one. Says it's a SMS coin. I didn't immediately recognize the slab but then again I'm not an expert on these things.
You have about $2.50 of silver but if you are happy with the coin then it was a good buy at $6.00 Here is a picture of 1965 SMS Kennedy graded 66 at PCGS that I paid well over $6.00 for my son’s collection (I think it was for second semester, sophomore year high school for maintaining high honors on his report card).
Even if the MS66 grading is suspect, it's still a pretty nice coin and worth a premium over circulated condition, correct?
If you are working on building a complete set of Kennedy half dollars (business strikes, proofs and SMS coins) and you needed the 1965 SMS coin then I wouldn’t hesitate paying $6 like you did it the coin fits into your collection perimeters. Maybe sometime in the future you may decide to upgrade to a CAM, DCAM, higher grade or a combination of them.
Funny, when they trueviewed my 135 degree rotated reverse, the photographer lined it up without any regard for the rotation.
In anticipation of his first semester grades from college, I’ve sent in 25 more of Caleb’s error coins in for TrueViews, four of them being rotated reverses. I will keep an eye out for Pete’s email that they are ready and make sure the photo is in proper orientation. The last 71-S that I sent in for TrueView, I had to email Pete back and ask him about correcting the photo to display the rotation. Sometimes I think Pete and his assistant are “under the gun” to get the back orders done and published that they just assume the coin is supposed to be the correct orientation and they want it to look nice for the customer.
