I am a new investor and subscribed to the greysheet. I asked them, but they don't seem to keen on providing answers. I am wondering what the + sign means next to a price. I recently invested (heavily) in a 1927 St. in MS66 condition and the price on the greysheet is $1975 with a + to the left of it. Just trying to figure out the value of the coin and how much I overpaid.
Is it in a PCGS slab? I found this thread here that says: "A + indicates the price has increased since the previous update. Similarly, a - indicates the price has decreased since the previous update. And a price without a + or - means the price is unchanged since the previous update." - Hobo
Be careful using greysheet. Look at a 1921 Peace dollar in MS66. It'll be over $5000. But look at the average sale of them on Heritage and it'll be around $3500. Completed auction records are the best gauge, I've found.
Greysheets are only relative numbers. I look to Heritage for numbers to identify where collector coins are sold, along with when they last sold. Unfortunately there are only two types of coins.. No price guide will give yo absolute numbers .. Types are simple .. Yours and Mine ... Use multiple resources to determine the close costs of other peoples coins
Michael L, since you identified yourself as an investor then I would definitely advise you RESEARCH the field as has been suggested by C-B-D and others. The Greysheet is fine but don't take it as the final word. Watch and search and keep up with your interests. Do your homework well and your rewards should be okay.
It should also be said that just because two coins may be of the same type and grade (and TPG), this doesn't mean both are worth the same money, and this is where someone, particularly someone new, could run into trouble placing too much weight into past auction prices. Just look at the spreads from one coin (same type, grade, tpg) to the next, and is why it is so important to truly know both the coins themselves and your market.
That is part of doing the research .. price shopping is only one small part of it. If it was on Heritage there is also a good chance they will have a photo of that coin. Short cuts are few and far between
As an investor, do you believe what other people tell you things are worth, or do you believe actual sales results?
Older auction results are identical to "published" price lists in terms of relevance, which is to say "not really." It's also important to factor timing; a FUN Signature Auction is not necessarily accurate data because it brings out the spenders who aren't afraid to make a market.
