It has less than 1,000,000 in mintages (886k i think), and you can pick up an MS quality one for <200 bucks. I'm really interested in getting one because I feel like they have nowhere to go but up in the future. Can anyone advise me on this particular coin? Why is it so cheap in comparison to its extremely low mintage? Is it just not old enough yet? Also, as an added inquiry, I'm curious to know what's the deal with Franklins. I've been collecting them for a bit now and have around 17 of them NGC graded in various MS grades. Are these coins likely to increase significantly in value in the future? If any of you have insight on the future of the Franklin half feel free to offer it up also.
Because there were bags of them saved from the original mintage - literally. There are over 10,000 of them certified. I cannot find it right now, but there are more than one thread giving the details.
Oh, wow. I'm proud that I was able to see that there was something about this coin that just wasn't entirely right... Are there any other pennies (or other US coins in general) that have a similar scenario in which the mintage is really low but the amount certified is extremely high? Or is this fairly localized to the '31 S?
09-s VDB not much of a premium for MS over low grade. 55 DD is often found in MS 50-d nickel was hoarded is more common in MS then circ.
There are a couple more; 09- VDB As odd as it sounds, a lot of the 199x/20xx proofs may be the extreme. Some have mintages as low as 2,000,000, but are nearly as common as dirt.
I'm sure a lot of Morgan dollars have low mintages and high circ. prices yet not much more for MS. The early CC ones for example
I would agree with you about the 31-S having nowhere to go but up. I think owning a well struck MS-64 or 65 key date is a solid hedge against inflation. That coin will always be in demand, and you own an above average piece for the grade, it will hold value nicely. I wouldn't bet your retirement on it, but for a couple hundred bucks, I think you could do worse that to pick one up and hold it for a few years. Worse case scenario, you lose a few dollars to inflation but you still have a great coin.
I've seen a couple on eBay floating around in PCGS plastic XF45 for around $130. I'm sure you could get an even better price on HA. There doesn't seem to be too large of a jump from circulated to uncirculated.
The 31-S has a low mintage but alot more were saved in MS grades. I even heard of a woman that hoarded 200,000 examples, all unc. Therefor making alot less expensive when your going to buy one in unc. Unlike the 14-D or 09-S VDB. I got my 31-S in AU-55 for $110. Its a great coin to buy. Because of the cheap price for a low mintage key-date coin without paying $1000's for one. I am proud to own mine.
Frankies have really taken a hit over the past few years, particularly MS slabbed ones in 65 and higher (to include FBLs). That said, I own a partial set myself (mostly 64 FBL), so they're sure to continue to tank.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1931-S-Lincoln-..._Individual&hash=item588a25f174#ht_500wt_1156 Did this sell for so much because it's a woody? I cant think of why else?
Just what do you think the going rate for a 64 red 31-S is? PCGS says $400, and Heritage is getting $260 - $325. $316 sounds about right for eBay to me. BTW, most woodies go for less than current market although there are exceptions.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1931-S-Lincoln-...Individual&hash=item230ac8a504#ht_2267wt_1139 You can get a 64 for a lot cheaper than 300. you dont think the fact that it was a 64 RD and also a woody helped it get a better price?
A - that coin is graded RB not red - at least according to the slab. B - It was graded by NGC rather than PCGS. NGC goes for less than PCGS An NGC 64 RB should go for $160 - $210 although that could be a fair price because it looks nearly red.
The coin I first posted that sold for 316.00 was also NGC; all my pricings have been relative to NGC standards. I suppose the RB distinction influences the price, but I doubt an 64 RD went for 80.00 more than a 64 RB solely on that distinction. It still seems odd that that particular coin sold for so much (the one in my first link).
I have no idea why you would doubt the RB would go for $80 less than Rd. Not that the PCGS price list is the end all. but $400 for red and $285 for RB. That is significantly greater than $80. Just to pick a comparable, a 29- 66 red lists for $400, but a 66 RB goes for $100. Yes, the "RB distinction" can make a very significant difference.
After taking a closer look at auctions selling RD and RB distinctions, I realize now that you are very right. I'm not very experienced with lincoln cents, I was always under the impression that RD RB and BN were just to clarify the individual coins' specific color, and that in general they commanded the same prices. Is there a hierarchy then, from BN, RB, to RD? Are those the only distinctions? And in general, are RD the most highly prized, or is it depending on the coin
