SapperNurse- I must say that the 64 quarter I got from UGS has given me nothing but pleasure. I would much rather get from PCGS, but what if? I mean if I am not spending a fortune while taking the risk, why not try. I still haven't purchased another one, but I might.
I think you can find good coins in any name slab...yes even SGS....I wouldn't look too hard at UGS..... I agree 100% that PCGS mess's up....I've heard of them slabing fake trade dollars before too....that was a BIG mess up... Speedy
I don't think I could ever buy an SGS coin. I think I would take a risk on an out of the slab, with the seller's Feedback at 89.5%.
So if I buy SGS or UGS, do I price them at maybe 2 or 3 grades lower than specified and fell confident?
The photo of the quarter from ebay does not do it justice, this is not the best photo but it gives an idea of the luster.
That is where you must grade....if you think that it would only grade PF65 then don't pay over that.... When buying from SGS I set a price that I won't go over...for the Jefferson Nickels I got I didn't go over $3 each....I've tried to win some Franklins from them...I would't go over $10 for them.... YOU are the one that must grade and decided. If I was buying sight-un-seen...I would only pay maybe PF60/1 price for them.... I would never suggest a newbe buy coins from them....not untill they get the know-how to grade and know what is good and what isn't. Speedy
I agree, and it brings up a question I have had. If buying PCGS, if the price is getting close to the value PCGS posts on it's Web site, is it a good Idea to pay that price just so you wont have to travel and look elsewhere for the coin you want?
Never buy the slab.... For any coin I wouldn't suggest going by PCGS price guide....I know that some say that it is right on the dot...but then I've also seen it way high....I've always wondered who does the value on there....Mr Hall (Past President of PCGS) sells coins....he doesn't even go by their price guide so that shows how good it is. Go by ended auctions on places like E-Bay or Heritage. Remember...it is sometimes worth the time and travel to look at another coin...it could be more what you are looking for. Speedy
Here are two examples I need help with. I bought the slabs on Ebay. Was I taken? What is the green stuff and will my coins be destroyed?
I wouldn't buy from a seller with a feedback rating less than 99.5%. 89.5% wouldn't even get a second look. But that is a personal decision.
The green stuff appears to be verdigris and yes it will destroy the coins. It has already done enough damage that they are no longer even gradeable. You can return them to PCGS, but they are going to tell you that the coin turned in the slab. They will probably still honor their guarantee though.
Ya beat me to it I was thinking that they might honor their guarantee at least on the Quarter....on the Cent I don't know....I know ANACS will guarantee everything but copper and I was thinking PCGS did the same....wern't they the ones that slabbed that PF69 cent that sold for LOTS and then up poped carbon spots??....if I remember right...they bought the coin back but not with the guarantee. Speedy
That's funny. I wouldn't trust any seller with a 90+. THat just means to me they know how to manipulate the ebay system. Ruben
Is this what you mean by dont buy the slabs on ebay? I was under the impression for many years that buying in the slab was safe, this is heart breaking! The comment about buying from a seller with a low feedback % was sarcasm, I am that scared of SGS. If the slab has never been crackes open, it has to have happened in the slab right?
In regards to UGS, about a year ago, when they were Nugrade, they had a sale (or someone did) on ebay with slabbed misc coins selling off for $3 each in their slabs. I figured it was small risk, and bought 30 of them. While most of the coins were lower value coins, there were some nice S mint red cents from the 40's, a few great Eisenhower dollars in MS64 and even a really nice silver proof Eisenhower, in PR67. There were also a bunch of MS65 state quarters. All in all, I would say that there was not a single coin that was clearly 'misgraded'. I might have the opinion that a few were a grade high, and I though a couple had a shot at a grade higher. Frankly, about the same results I've gotten with any other grading company. So, I was thrilled at these coins for $3! I think that UGS is a legit company, trying to grade coins fairly and well. If I was spending hundreds would I buy UGS? Well, if I could see the coin and make my own assesment, sure I would. If I was going to sell it, would I crack it and sell raw or re-holder in PCGS or NGC? Of course. That's just the way the market works.
