Well, it's finally happening. Prices are getting lower. I should get closer to completing some sets.... Check out the closed auctions on e-bay the last few days for 1921 or 1921-D mercury dimes. You can get a problem-free G4 in the mid $20's! and a 21-D isn't much more. Slabbed ones for less than $50 (maybe in AG - but slabbed). VG and F12 1926-S and 1931-D's for under $10 shipped all over the place. Haven't had time to check the other denominations, but I can only afford so much on my little coin budget! Happy hunting!
Yeh, this summer has been good for buyers so far. Can't remember if it was this way in the past. I picked up two common date MS-65 silver dollars (one Morgan, one Peace) for less than CDN Bid + 20%. CDN Bid + 20% is my bidding max. You don't get many for that price, but the ones you do get are a real bargain. And I'm talking NGC, not the ripoff TPGs.
Forgot to mention that somewhere I saw that even the fabled 1916-D in AG/G is going for $400-$600 slabbed (top 3 TPGs). And lots of "Buy It Nows" for $1000 with no takers.
Summer is traditionally the 'slow season' for coins. Although it hasn't been that way for a few years. Back to tradition, also, perhaps the economy is finally hitting rock bottom. [look at the recent declines in gold & silver prices.]
The Summer doldrums do not apply to the Lincoln's...it's tough to find good deals. I've been trying to find a nice problem-free 1922 No D (die #2) for some time. Tough coin, and always at a premium in a good TPG slab.
It's got to be in some part due to the slow economy. Times are tough. For that reason, I'm taking advantage of it to the extent I am able the past few months. And will continue to do so. There isn't much in life that's getting cheaper with the passing of time.
Prices have climbed pretty steadily for 24+ months now. When this happens, coins tend to come out of collections onto the market again, only to be snatched up quickly. The funny thing is, the " key " Lincolns are not rare, or even scarce. The non key " semi's" are the toughies. At any major show, choose from at least ( 10 ) 1922-NoD, ( 10) 1955 DDO , ( 15 ) 1914-D and ( 25) 1909-SVDB. The trick is seperating the average coins from the choice, and knowing when to splurge " over sheet" for the good stuff. I cannot stress enough, DO NOT BUY PROBLEM COINS AT A DISCOUNT You want a rare Lincoln? A real challange??? Find a red 1911-D with a strong mintmark, a 1921-S with some whiskers, etc etc. A nice redbrown 24-D or 26-S,23-S, 25-D. I cannot go into the Merc dimes or the Buffs, but I would imagine, in collector grades this same theory would apply.
So what are good old VG/F coins? Bozo Grade coins? I know what you mean by "collector grade", but seems pretty snooty to me. I think the big difference is that MS-65 coins won't be sold if the money isn't there. It's easier to "let go" of a F12 coin at a discount if you want to generate some cash than it would be to sell off a MS-66 at a loss.... And just because prices are coming down does not mean these are "problem coins".
I think maybe he meant investment grade, or high end collector grade? Personally, I can't afford a lot and have a limited coin budget, but even I have been getting a whole lot for my buck this last month. Heck I just got some gold and large cents and it has cost me next to nothing.
I enjoy the talk about pocket change..thats how I fill my little cheapo coin folders!! pretty much stopped getting rolls from the bank for while..can't seem to find anything but late 50 early 60 nickels..noooooooo one ever turns in dimes or quarters that are older..oh well..
I apologise if I came across as snooty, let me clarify Collector grade coins generally mean circulated, and I meant to carry the " dont buy problem coins at a discount " over to the Buffs and Mercs. We have seen many times, corroded, cleaned, damaged....etc followed by the " I got it cheap "....only cheap until you go to trade up, then it goes from cheap to waste real quick when you can't even get " cheap" for it in trade and have to start over from scratch and try to move the problem coin on to someone else
