I don't Buy packaged silver Ike's. Is there much value to them? How common are Gem and Gem + coins in their original packaging?
Pretty much just the silver melt value. Brown Ikes in the plastic and box maybe a couple bucks more. If I recall 1973 is the premium coin.
Blue ikes and brown ikes (40% silver) 1973 lowest mintage by a few then 1974. Ikes in mint cellophane are cheap. I bought a bunch for $2 and there is $1.91 face value in each mint cellophane pack. Notice the bottom right cellophane pack, that's a 1976-s and the one that I wanted because Yes 40% silver, for the same price as the others.
I bought a couple of Blue Ike's yesterday, mainly for their variety's and condition. The 73 S could go as high as a MS68. The 72 S would be held to a 67 depending on the day. For 10$ a piece I think I did ok.
I constantly follow auction trends. As an example, a 1977 NGC MS67 sold earlier this year at Stacks and Bowers auction for $3600. Which is a new record. Since 2016 this same grade has been rising substantially. So the market is strong and rising for Eisenhower dollars. The only place another might come from would be original packaging. Historically, lower grade coins rise in value when top grade examples set records. Albeit at a smaller climb.
Both coins are quite nice but would not grade higher than 67 IMO. The luster looks great on the 72 but they come that way, but the 73 looks slightly subdued and will get hammered for that. Plus the scuffs on jaw and cheek would preclude the 68 grade.
I agree I think that 66 should be the end all be all on the 73. The 72' has a chance, at 67 the parralel lines going east to west are in the cellophane. It's very Perty in hand. Waiting till nest Friday to see what he has left. He is only open two days a week and not buying. Only selling back stock.
I don't know where you got those, but all in all, it is not cheap to get 73 mint sets. they are not expensive, but not $2.00