Hi guys. As many of you know, my collecting has slowed down quite a bit but I do still pick up things here and there. I've been wanting to purchase a $10 Indian off and on for a long time. The bug has bit me again and I'm wanting one. Anybody with an opinion is welcome to vote, but I'd definitely like to hear from dealers or anybody who's into collecting them that have much more experience in them than I do. Any free advice appreciated. This is a tough one for me. I mean logically, I usually default to wanting the best grade I can afford (as many will say.) I tend to look at it from a collector and somewhat of an investment standpoint. The 64's are the last price step before they double to triple in price so from that perspective, it's a good price point. But still pricey. The hard part is that there are so many 62s out there that look really nice for 4 to $600 less. I want one that is full of luster. I know the 62s won't be quite as clean but I've seen quite a few 64s that I wish the fields were "cleaner" for the price. I could probably buy a 62 and be happy for a slight premium over spot. There are many 62 through 64s available. I'm shying away from 63s because if I do that, I may as well come up with the extra 200 and go the 64 route. And NGC has graded over 15k of the 63s. There's an abundance for the price. Overall, these really are not that rare. Are the 64s THAT much better in hand? Or should I try to find a very nice 62? Or, not even fool around and look for the best 64 I can find? Prices are all over the place on 64s but I know the general range. Trying to convince myself one way or the other. I've listed the options I'm looking at for the poll. Let the debate begin.
I think that, if you like coins with fewer marks, you might do better to buy a slightly better date in 62. Why? . . . the 1926 & 1932 are so intensely lustrous that they are always quite marky until you really climb into elevated grades. I think the TPGs tend to grade a bit less liberally with the better dates, so you generally end up with a cleaner looking coin in the same grade. You might pay slightly more money for a better date, but end up happier with the look for the money, instead of going the next grade with a common date 1932 or 1926. If you're a luster maven, and don't care as much about marks, then the 1926 or 1932 is definitely the date to buy.
I vote 62 here's why if the coin has eye appeal to Y You who else do You need approval from? When I started a set of ASE I went 68 ' why? Everyone wanted 69 and 70's. The population on 69 was flooded and 70's who wants to pay for the different between a 69/70? Not l..... Eye appeal to me sez it all. How many coins graded are under graded in slabs? Tons..... a nice eye appeal 62 today in a few years is going to increase in value. Why sweat the grade buy smart and be happy.
I voted 62 as well. My advice is to be patient and wait for the right coin. I was fortunate enough to find this one and am happy. I've seen many in higher grade that aren't nearly as nice. This is a MS62:
I'd go for the 63, that's my preferred grade for gold. The coin shown above looks pretty good for a 62!
I have a 64. I really think it is my favorite coin in my collection. It has very few marks, is well struck, and has a lot of luster.
If all ya want is to fill the hole then get the 62. But your question was - which is the best value ? Well, that's really IS the question isn't it ? And not just in coins, but in everything in life. From clothes to cars to homes to furniture, literally everything in life. So what do you do in life when faced with the same decision ? I'd wager that most of you choose someplace in the middle with most things because that usually is where the best value lies. But with some things you'll go higher end because they matter more and with others lower end because they matter less. So where are coins in your life ? If you collect them at all coins are most probably a source of enjoyment, of pleasure, for you. And just what is that enjoyment worth to you ? Well to me it was always worth a lot because enjoyment in life is just too hard to come by. So when I could get it, I always tried to get the very most of it that I could. And that's really where the saying - buy the best that you can afford comes from. It's kind of like a lot of other things, there are idioms and sayings about all facets of our lives. But they became idioms and sayings because there is usually great wisdom in them and in countless examples they proved to be true. So Vess, you have your answer yet ? You can buy that 62, but how many times will look at it and say - I shoulda bought that 64
I'd look to a nice 63, high end. But take your time looking, because there are plenty out there, it is a buyer's market so you can be picky. And I absolutely agree with Doug--hobby before $$$, this hobby has left too many collectors carved over more than a Thanksgiving turkey.
Something could also be said about seeking out a very nice AU-58. There are some great looking coins in the upper end of the almost uncirculated category
I would go 64, because I am a sucker for luster. Beware of nearly mark-free coins graded 62. These, in my opinion, are often really super sliders in mintstate holders - no real loss of detail, but missing high point luster.
I'd go 64 myself I like to buy the most appealing coin and the highest grade I can afford. I've seen some au-58s with all the eye appeal of a 62-3 too and nearly no marks. I'm a big fan of the grade
