Minimum MS Grading

I like David Hall's book, "A Mercenary's Guide To The Rare Coin Market," and he says unless its old & hard to find, get rid of all your MS63 & stick with MS64 or better.

What say you?

 

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I have coins I like in 61,62 and 63 as well in MS plus lots of lower grades

 

I think it really depends on what you're collecting. There are lots of coins that really take a jump at the 64 grade and then skyrocket at 65. If we all had David Hall's money it wouldn't matter, I suppose..........but for the average Joe, this is just not a feasible collecting philosophy.

 

I am not familiar with the book. However based upon the title I am making the assumption that this is a book written as a guide to the investor coin market. That said, if the intent is to invest in rare coins, perhaps MS64 or better is a fair strategy. Being a rabid hobbyist coin guy, I wouldn’t know.

 

I always buy the coin, not the holder (I personally collect NGC graded pre-Euro Belgium)... so I have coins graded as low as MS-62 that I have had confirmed by Belgian experts as being MS-64+ coins for the type. I try to get 64+ graded pieces, but dont shy away from lower holder grades, as I sometimes know more than the grader at the TPG (especially in my field of interest). I also know, having studied certain series, that examples of certain types simply aren't available in higher grades (especially siege coinage). As a dealer, I know that the TPG holder is not the final word...

 

As a collector I collect what I like. If it increases in value great, if not then that is the price I paid for the enjoyment of participating in this great hobby.
Many hobbies you don't get any of your money back, at least with US coins I'll always get at least face value for them. That book sounds like it's aimed at the investor segment and not the hobbyist.

 

"Buy the highest quality key date coins you can afford"
...Scott Travers

Over the years, I've seen the greatest return when I've followed that simple advice.

 

Forget what other people say and collect what you like.

 

As @Randy Abercrombie said, I'm also guessing it's written as a guide to "investment-level" coins as well as gaining an eye for quality. That's one way to collect coins (from a monetary value that increases over time viewpoint.)

As others have said, there are other ways to collect.

I've personally sort of been using this idea (weeding out my collection to only include gem-grade quality coins) as a way to thin out my collection and keep it more manageable. That doesn't mean I have to always adhere to this principle - it's my collection, so I'll enforce the rules as I see fit and make exceptions when needed.

I have to say, I find the cover art for the 1987 Hardcover version I found on Amazon pretty hilarious.

 

I read the book. A long time ago. Still have it. I say (and still say) he was a talented numismatist and a darn good sales person and made a darn good market for the bestest of the bestest and brilliantly conceived a market plan to prove the bestest of the bestest, so everybody had a buy-in point to kibitz and opine and increase the use of the market strategy.

And here we are.....

 

@desertgem Why don't I have permission to report a post like the one above?

Edit: Nm...someone took care of it.

 

I have several 64/65 grade coins that if cracked out they would lucky to get 62 on there best day. So much for top two TPG being the best.

I split my collection into two sides. Old coins I like and collect then Bullion coins as a hedge against inflation(investments)

 

I have several 64/65 grade coins that if cracked out they would lucky to get 62 on there best day. So much for top two TPG being the best.

I split my collection into two sides. Old coins I like and collect then Bullion coins as a hedge against inflation(investments)

 

which post was a problem?

 

Amen to that, in building my mini sets as outlined in the book, i found better looking coins in lower grades...

 

It's gone now and not worthy of discussion.

@desertgem took care of it and gave me permission to report spam posts in the future...(thanks!).

 

I'm a collector, not a reseller or investor. I invest in index funds and stocks. Like some of my fellow posters above, I buy coins for fun, I can buy a lot of fantastic coins that aren't MS, heck some details coins - like my 1921 SLQ which is VF Details - that are great eye candy (look at that full visible date! Check out her shield detail!!!). I don't see how following such a rule would bring me any satisfaction or joy. I get it if you're looking to be an investor or reseller I suppose. Otherwise, nah! Here's one of my favorite details coins, as mentioned,

 

Congratulations. Let me be the first to give youa reporting task...the JT Stanton is Alive and Well thread from 200 6 that just pooped up here.
Go git em'!!!!

 

That's a beautiful key date coin! If it's the highest grade you could (want to) afford, you're following Scott Travers' advice!