I am going to start collecting classic commemoratives off Ebay. Im going to start with slabbed coins until i can get a good enough feel for the series to risk buying raw and i wanted to know what the differences in grading standards are between the grading company plus what differences are from the same company with new slabs vs old slabs.
Why not just buy 'em in OGP? I've picked up many a bargain, at well below mint issue price, from reliable dealers.
Luke, I'm uncertain how to answer . My suggestion however would be to collect encapsulated commemoratives. Personally, I think you might be setting yourself up for loosing hard earned money unless you know how to accurately grade and determine cleaned items. Even the slightest cleaning could potentially have a significant financial loss. I think the grading standards among the top tier grading company's are very constant. However I haven't been into Commemoratives for quite some time, but I don't think much has changed . If you don't have one already, get yourself a copy of the A.N.A. grading standards. I'm not bad mouthing EBAY , just be careful and ask opinions here, BEFORE BUYING . BOL.
Luke: Before you go meddling around with these coins on eBay and worrying about slabbed coins, why not do some R&R, Reading & Research! Below are some titles of published books which you should really consider reading: • A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins: History-rarity-values-grading-varieties (The Official Red Book) by Q. David Bowers • A Guide Book of United States Coins 2011 (The Official Red Book) by R. S. Yeoman [Contains a broad section on Classic Commemorative Coins] ...and for quick reference online: • Coin Community.com: Commemorative Coin Histories
FWIW, One could find classic commems with some original paperwork (COA?) or an envelope they might have been distributed in (OGP)... :smile
Quite possibly true Chris, however, I would feel rather uncomfortable buying something like that on an auction site such as e-bay. I'd have to see something like that "in hand".
'In-hand' review is always best practice. No matter the item. You sure have scooped up a few nice Classic Commems this year that could be instructional for the OP: [1] [2] [3]
I think it's great. Get them by PCGS or NCG and start with some commons so you can make sure you want to do this. Teletrade and HA has many for sale there too that you might want to check out. It's a great set and I think there is alot of room to grow in prices in coming years. Also I'd think about when buying getting the PDS sets all at once as you can usually get a better deal that way and can cover all of that vararity at once. Good luck.
These and the other two mentioned are fine, but you really need to know how to grade the coins before just buying them based on the label in the slab. If you do your homework on learning to grade you may spot over/under graded slabbed coins, this will help you know how much you should pay and if you are getting a deal on the coin for the grade or not. Don't just buy based on the TPG company and the price you find is being asked for it. It goes for all of these four TPGs.
I dont' mind them and I used to like IGC quite a bit. They seem to be off a bit more the the other 2 IMO. And if buying with them not in my hand I'd have to save a bit more for me to want to purchase them that way. But at shows and such I look at the coin so they are a go for me there for sure.
Chris gave you some solid advice. Check that coin in the holder on these two TPG'ers before ya go pullin' the trigger.....
Aw heck. For that matter check all coins in all holders. I picked up a Vermont Sesquicentennial that was holdered (NGC) ms-62 that I felt was way under graded
Please learn about grading and specific characteristics of the individual issues within the series, before spending money on them. Overall, I believe that PCGS is somewhat stricter than NGC, but that doesn't mean that a particular NGC example isn't as good as or better than a PCGS one. And, generally, both companies probably graded more conservatively when they first began, than they have during much of the time since then. But, there are many dogs that were graded long ago and many jewels that have been graded more recently. In other words, overly broad generalities about grading and the grading companies can get you in trouble.
Yes yes yes. And this is a tall order, too, as there are so many commemoratives - each with their own set of issues. For instance, strike is a major concern. Certain commemoratives are generally poorly struck. I strongly agree with the prior comment about "R&R" - reading and research - but that alone won't cut it. No one ever learned to play piano by reading a book; likewise, no one ever mastered coin grading by reading books. Hit coin shows and look at as many coins as you can - slabbed and raw. Ask lots of questions. A good dealer is happy to work with you, answer your questions, and encourage you to look at their coins. Absolutely. For that matter, nice coins can be found in ANACS, SEGS, and ICG holders. Yes sir. No question about it. All of which inevitably leads to the age-old truth - learn to grade for yourself and make your own personal decisions, coin by coin, based upon your own personal expertise. And as Mark mentioned in the first sentence of his response above, learn by observing, not by making purchasing mistakes. That said, don't be too shy about "taking the plunge". Learn up, then dive in.
Hey Luke, How is your collection coming along? I've been doing the same thing. I've stuck to PCGS (just to be consistent) I've got them from pretty much all sources. Ebay mostly, local coin shop, heritage, David Lawrence. Learning as I go. Definitely pick up that Bowers reference book. Its golden. I'd be interested to swap hints, tips, war stories.
