Raw vs. Slabbed

You guys are missing the point. The fact is that buyers are not willing to risk the monetary difference in case the raw coin is overgraded. The Barber Quarter was listed as an MS64, but if it was actually and MS63, the price drops 40%. You are not paying for the plastic at a markup. Buyers simply are not willing to pay the price of the grade listed for a raw coin. They will almost always assume the coin is overgraded by at least one point. And in my experience, that is correct, and thus the need for TPG's.

 

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True. But, if they can't, like most people whether they admit it or not, tell the difference between say an MS 64 coin and an MS 62 coin, then whats the point? I understand the registry game, so I suppose thats where the difference lies. But to the average collector, is a point or two in grade, which is unnoticeable except for the writing on the slab, worth 100-200% more?

Guess I'm not getting the point...or something.
Guy~

 

If a seller thinks a coin is a 64 and I think it is a 62 or 63, the seller will take less or I won't buy the coin, simple as that. If I think a coin is a 64 and the "experts" say it is a 63, as long as I like it, I am happy. Remember it is for my collection and not for sale.

 

I buy what ever is cheapest. Since I only buy from exceptionally reliable dealers, I don't worry about authenticity due to being in a slab.

 

True.

The coin in question is not 300% markup, but rather 117%. Still ridiculous, of course.

Some thoughts :
Is the coin in question really MS64 ?
Would it slab 64 ?
Is it slabbed ?
Is $400 a fair price for that coin slabbed 64 ?

I don't think 117% is typical. If it were that easy, that would soon be the latest "get rich quick" fantasy.

 

Though they're far easier to scam, I like them raw and in the buff.

 

I went back to check I wasn't losing my memory , they are some nice coins .
rzage

 

Well there loss is our gain , if they won't buy a coin just because it's slabbed , they are missing out on some beautiful coins , I'm 55 and set in my ways with a lot of things , and the truth of it is I'm missing out on some very useful stuff .
rzage:whistle:

 

That sort if thing helps explain the mystique of 70 coins.

Though many can afford them, 70 gives the feel of "not settling for less".

 

I'm just an aveage grader , but I know what I like , Most coins I buy are 63-64 and I'm picky , and when you're looking for a certain coin you can start to see the difference in a 63 or 64 that's why I'm always looking for a undergraded coin , and many a times I wish I could afford the next point up because there is a difference in 1 grade .

rzage

 

You are bang on. There are many examples where you pay bookoo dollars for just a point increase. Take a look at early commemortives, such as the Vermont Half from MS64 ($290 gray sheet) to MS65 (around $800).

Excellent reply, which is consistently provided by you. thanks!

 

These questions can illustrate my point quite clearly.

Yes the coin in question is really MS64
It might slab 64 or it might slab 63
No it is not slabbed, it is raw.
Yes, $400 is a fair price if the coin slabs at 64.

The problem is that potential buyers will only offer MS63 money until the coin actually resides in an MS64 holder because they do not want to be the one that loses money.

Or we could look at it this way. How many times do collectors say a slabbed coin is overgraded. Now compare that with how many raw coins are overgraded. I trust the opinion of the professional coin graders at PCGS and NGC much more than some dealer trying to move his inventory while making maximum profit. The coin dealer can't overgrade the slabbed coins, it is on the plastic, but nothing stops them from overgrading their raw material.

I could easily send that 1916-D Barber Quarter to NGC and make a tidy profit whether it graded MS63 or MS64, but I bought it for my album collection of Barber Quarters and that is where it will stay.

Anyway, there is no denying that slabbed coins drive higher prices and they deserve it IMO.

 

I am for and against slabbed coins.

Nice, non-position right?

Not really, for any and all high grade pieces I don't trust myself to determine the difference between MS-63 and MS-64 or MS-64.5

On key dates? YES!

but--
On lower grade pieces common dates, a waste of money.

 

Thank you for your interesting perspectives. I am learning quite a bit.

 

I definitely prefer raw. From the NGC token slabs that I have seen, their identification abilities seem barely above beginner level, causing me to be suspect of their skills in general regarding exonumia. I have not been impressed with their grading of tokens either. Slabs hold no value whatsoever to me, and all slabs I've bought to date have been opened. I don't dispute that a slabbed item will bring more money at sale, but I collect for myself, not the next guy. I do think the tpgs provide a valid service for authentication, at least with regular coinage.

 

I only have 6 slabbed coins. a 1900 Lafayette dollar G-6 by PCGS, a 1999 off center dime MS 65, a 1995 double die cent MS 67 RD, both by NGC, An undated squirrel token MS 60 DETAILS CORRODED, an 1838 half dime FR 2 DETAILS SCRATCHED, both By ICG, and a 1961 PF 70 by SGS. All in all, I prefer raw coins.

 

I started out with raw coins, but have more recently bought almost only slabbed coins. I suppose it is an insurance factor, to some degree. If I thought grading coins via pictures was accurate, and since I buy many coins over the internet where I can't have them in hand, I have tended to move to slabbed. At least the TPG had it in hand.
John

 

The vast majority of my coins I get raw. Two ways I would buy slabbed is: 1. I get a slabbed coin in the grade I want and don't really have to pay for it. This has happened several times. 2. If I was buying something really expensive say > $500.00. This has never happened because I've never paid more than $500.00.

 

Haha! That's NOTHING.

1900-P Morgan Dollar... according to one guide (Which I somewhat trust)

MS64: $65
MS65: $160
MS66: $660
MS67: $13,000

From Pocket change to the value of a nice used car in 3 points.