I'm looking to buy a top population coin for a gift. It needs to be a mint state and I'd like a cent or nickel preferably graded by PCGS with a small population (maybe 100 or less). Can anyone tell me where I can find one? Thanks, JasonB
Top Pop coins can be v-e-r-y expensive. The most affordable would be modern bullion in MS70 / PR70. They are available everywhere - coin shows, e-bay, teletrade.
I can't imagine a coin that meets all of your requirements. Perhaps some PR-70 modern dime that nobody has bothered sending in lots of yet.
I realize it will be expensive. I was thinking of a Wheat cent or something like that in a top grade. I know one company sells top pop coins, R&I Coins but they have mostly halfs and proof coins. I know this site attracts a lot of dealers so I figured someone might know where to go.
? My requirements aren't that strigent. There should be thousands of these available. Only problem is they'll be pricey. JasonB
Top pop coins are very popular and can be somewhat rare... and popular and rare usually equals pricey... is their a price range in mind? The only thing I can think of that isn't modern would be some of the later date wheat cents... I think the top pop pieces usually run $300-$600 on teletrade pretty often.
I was thinking $1,000 or less. I've never heard of Teletrade. I'll Google it. You just reminded me that Heritage may have something like this also.
Here's another way to narrow it down... Let's say it's a cent or nickel (per OP). Go to the PCGS and NGC pop reports and look at each issue. Find the top grade for each issue. For some dates it will be MS67, others MS68, etc. Now go to major auction sites such Heritage, Teletrade, B&M, and Goldberg and query for those dates / grades.
Do you guys have access to the NGC and PCGS pop reports? I checked and both are members only. Anyone willing to save as a pdf and email them to me for Lincoln cents, Mercury Dimes, and Jefferson Nickels?
If you're willing to consider Kennedy halves I have several pop-top Kennedys, including the 1965 SMS in MS68 PCGS and the 1966 SMS, also MS68 PCGS. There's also a pop-top Ike dollar 1973-P MS66 PCGS that was only issued in Mint Sets ... no cent or dime pop-tops though. There are lots of other Kennedy pop-tops and some are well within your price range ... take a look. Thanks.
I'll consider a JFK if the population is low enough. What's an SMS? I've seen that on some of the eBay listings.
SMS refers to "special mint set." These coins were produced in lieu of proof sets in 1965, 1966, and 1967. They typically have a prooflike appearance, as opposed to full proofs. I find it interesting you are willing to spend $1,000 on a coin, but are not familiar with this. It's your money, I guess. By the way, it's not a great idea to put your e-mail address in a post. Don't be surprised if your post is edited soon.
One of the highest-graded coins in the respective NGC or PCGS population reports. For example, I have a Kennedy half 1965 SMS MS68 PCGS, one of 25 so graded (currently), with none graded finer. So that is a pop-top coin.
I've been collecting Mint State coins, some graded, some not. I've spent a lot of time on DDOs and die varieties for Lincoln cents. I'm not crazy about the proofs or proof sets, so you're right, I don't know much about them or the special mint sets either. I'll edit it myself. Thanks.
There are several Jefferson Nickels in the upcoming Heritage Long Beach Sale that meet your requirements. I have posted the links below. http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=302 http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=7311 http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=313#photo http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=7317 http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=333 http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=1137&Lot_No=335#photo There could be more, I got tired and stopped at 1953-D.
