Please help me pick a Saint Gauden

The answer is WAIT. If you think Gold is going to stay at 1100 or so, you're fooling yourselves. Expect triple digit prices soon.

 

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Would you say either of these coins are middle of the road MS63 or nicer MS63?

 

They are average MS 63 common date 20 dollar St. Gardens gold coins. Certainly nice, but not exceptional in any way.

 

Taking gold price crystal balls out of the pictures for the moment, that 11-D looks spectacular for a 63, unless I'm totally missing something from those pictures.

 

I agree, I have a few 65s that may have more luster, but have many more bag marks than the 11.

I would also add that the prices for saints have not always followed gold prices. When gold was about 350 in the eighties, saints were still in the 550-600 range for common dates. The premium over melt has gone down with the rising gold prices, but I would expect that the trend would reverse as gold prices fall and the demand for saints increases as more and more people can afford them.

 

Both look above average for MS63. That price is very fair for current levels and you will have a hard time finding a quality coin for less.

If you wait and gold moves down $300 you may see these move down $150-200. I have been watching spot free, minimal mark Saints for about 2 years now and the moves in gold have had little affect on the prices. The only thing that has been changing is the premium to spot.

For the record I don't think a $50-100 change is price is anything to worry about when you are buying a $1400 coin. Much like $5-10 on a $100 coin. But that is me.

 

Toughcoins actually made a valid explanation of fair price, so I will concede that.

 

Many thanks!

 

I assume that you meant to say that he should be able to buy a middle of the road 63 for $1,360 (1,310 plus 50). Based on that assumption, wouldn't you agree that $1,400 for the 11 is a fair price?

 

I like the 11-d. I thought it was a 64 actually I don't think gold is gonna go much lower either. Right now it's about even with its production costs if it goes lower production will slow and supply will decrease i think it may stagnate for awhile but long term it'll go up

 

With both pics the 1911 by far . It looks like a + 63 so a small premium would be warranted .

 

Frankly, that 1911 is kind of a "scarf this upon sight" coin at 63.

Mind, these are essentially bullion; check out the Pops in grade and above. When 5-digit populations exist in slabs, rarity isn't really in play. But a nice example at the grade (rightly) also attracts type collectors like yourself, and makes the 1911 a sound investment despite its' commonality in grade.

 

I agree, but I'm not a type collector, I have nearly a complete date set of Saints. I have no delusions of completing the enitire date and mintmark set any time soon though.

 

I tend to think the pictures might be hiding some flaws as both look like 64s.

 

But, didn't he say they were MS63? In that case, the pictures would make them look better than they are.

 

I think he's saying that the pictures look like MS64 coins, and since the coins are graded as MS63, the TPG's must have seen something that is not readily apparent in the photographs.

 

Thank you for the help. I am looking for a common date in good condition. I have always wanted a Saint. I don't want to collect them. I like coins that have a tie to history so the 1914 was what I wanted since this was the start of WWI but the 2011 looked so nice and I like that the coin is over 100 years old. I am not buying for investment purpose but want a slab 63 or 64 in case there is a need in the future to sell. I understand common date high grade slabs essentially can sell sight unseen.

 

I bought just one (1908-D no motto) during 1997 for my type set in AU58 when gold was about $460 an ounce.

 

I think this is one of the most overlooked ideas on this forum. I often read about price compared to Grey Sheet or guide but few go on to discuss quality. When I use past auctions the most important thing for me is to actually look at the coin from each transaction. Most of the time a low quality coin is linked to a low number and a high quality coin to a full price. I don't even like averaging the auction prices because many of the coins sold are coins I would never have in my collection. I feel too many people focus on price over quality.