Howdy, I was looking over my Morgan collection this morning (changing my storage arrangement) and while looking at my 2 GSA Morgans (1884NGC63) I got to wondering. Is a graded GSA that much different than a non-graded GSA? Mine has the GSA slab with the NCG stickers on it. I've seen GSAs ungraded and there's a definite price difference, but for a collection, is the grading stickers worth it? Thanks.
There really is not difference. The difference comes in the fact that the graded ones show proof of grade thus a higher/more definitive price. On the ones that are ungraded, it just means they are ungraded and thus you don't really know what you'll get, thus a possible lower price. And just to be clear the GSA factor doesn't mean a whole lot either outside of a historical story. It's general service administration which is part of the government and sold the coins out of a government hoard found in the 70s. If there is someone more knowledgable that want to adjust what I said feel free, I'm just kind of basing this off assumption and no real determination of graded vs ungraded GSA coins. Another way to look at is the ungraded would be kind of like a raw coin, no defined grade and the graded ones as your typical professionally graded slabed coins. And yes I'd keep the stickers for the collection as proof of the grade and for just in case you ever want to sell them. I hope this answered your question.
TX - It's no different with GSA Morgans than it is with any coin, raw or graded the coin is still worth the same amount. The only thing TPG grading does is make it easier to sell a coin because it increases the numbers of your potential buyers. That's because there are far, far, more plastic buyers out there than there are coin buyers. In other words there are more people who buy the slab than there are people who buy the coin. You ask if the grading stickers are worth it, I'd have to say no, not for those coins. The percentage of cost of grading to value is just too high. An '84-CC GSA Morgan in 63 is worth about $200, to get one graded would cost you about $40, each. That's 20% of the value of the coin. Not worth it in my opinion.
My 2 are in a plastic sleeve to protect the NGC stickers. I guess I should have asked if having non-graded GSAs would have close to the same interest later as a graded one. I would like to add some other dates to my pair, but I don't know if the collection would be scrutinized if some of the GSAs weren't graded.
I'm a GSA collector. I'm always looking at ungraded GSA's and trying to determine if it could garner a high grade (MS65). If I feel the coin could earn that grade, I'll bid on it. The amount I'll bid on it will depend on my confidence. So, IMO, keeping them ungraded will not hurt interest when you decide to sell. If you want to maximize your price when selling, I would send in any GSA's you think will grade MS65. If you are not positive, I'd keep them ungraded. Keep in mind, I'm talking about the common CC's dated 82, 83 and 84. Without knowing what dates you are discussing, it's hard to give firm advice.
Agree with Doug also--OMG, that is becoming too often!! A GSA uncirculated coin is generally a 63 or so. There are a few above and a few below, but the vast majority of the Morgan GSAs are 63 or 64. Not worth slabbing, unless it is PL or DMPL, and one needs the designation.
I preferred NGC because I could keep it in the original packaging. Personally, I find it cooler than a non- GSA 84CC, even if the price is about the same. I agree that most of the ones I viewed were MS 63s.
