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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;National dealer, post: 20980, member: 487&quot;]Many of you have the desire to hit the bargain scene and see what happens, so lets take a moment to reflect on the bargains available in the coin market.</p><p><br /></p><p>Most people believe that Bargain means getting something under the current value. Looks good on paper, but seldom is this the case. </p><p><br /></p><p>First you really must know what the current value is. This is where the learning curve begins. While it is possible to rough idea a particular coin, it is not a price set in stone. You search through the various coin price guides to see that many have a wide range of prices for a given coin in a given grade. The sole purpose for any price guide is to give you a basic idea of value. Even the fabled greysheet is just a guide. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here is just an example. </p><p><br /></p><p>1903-P Morgan Dollar in MS-63</p><p><br /></p><p>Greysheet value $66.00 Bid $72.00 ask</p><p>CoinWorld Trends $85.00</p><p>PCGS website $90.00</p><p>Heritage Index $39.00</p><p>Current Dealer network buy offer $44.00</p><p><br /></p><p>So you can see how hard it is to know what to pay for this coin. </p><p><br /></p><p>So you are off on the internet searching for your 1903-P Morgan and you see one for $60.00&nbsp; Is this a bargain? As you can see by the prices given it could be. </p><p><br /></p><p>All MS-63 1903-P Morgan dollars are not the same. Some may be weakly struck, have ugly bag marks, be very weak for the grade, or strong for the grade. May be toned or blast white. May have fingerprints or a scratch. Could be cleaned. Could be the coin has sat around collecting dust on some shelf for a long period of time and the seller just wants it gone.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>So how do you find a true bargain? First you must do the research on prices. Second you must know how to grade the coin. Third you must know how to spot cleaning and altered coins. Fourth you must be patient. Lastly you must know yourself. </p><p>As mentioned many times here on the forum a dealer or long time seller can spot a sucker. Do not convince yourself that you are better than you are. There are no coin fairies giving away problem free coins just for the sake of making you happy. </p><p><br /></p><p>So now that you have searched your soul deeply and you have figured out that you do need help, how do you go about it.</p><p><br /></p><p>READ all that you can. Become involved in your hobby. Join a club, attend seminars, read some more, practice grading coins, talk with dealers and collectors, visit many shows, visit the local coin shop, read again, subscribe to a few coin magazines, look at many coins on the internet, read a lot more, ask many questions to as many people as you can. Last of all, when you think that you have learned all that can be learned, start the process over again. No one can know it all, and if anyone tells you that they can, run away. </p><p><br /></p><p>The only true bargain: Any purchase that you make based on what appeals to you will be a true bargain. If it brings you joy, and keeps your passion for the hobby high, it is a bargain. If you buy the coin because it has touched you, the value is priceless.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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