submitting coins in hope of winning the lottery or getting an MS70 grade ...

back in '84 i purchased too many GW commemorative half dollars. I want to get rid of them and can probably get spot price for them. of course there's always the notion that there might be some MS70s in there but i don't know how to discern the differences and wonder if it is even worth doing.

Also, I have some proof sets I'm not too committed to keeping but always wonder if it is worth breaking out some of the coins, particularly if the nickels evidence more detail on the steps.

Can ordinary mortals differentiate between one coin and another? I'm sure the dilemma of just selling or sending out for grading is very common. Would anyone care to share whatever might round out my considerations, like the time you sent in a hundred coins and none came MS70, or they all came back MS70, or that the gain from the one that came back MS70 didn't off-set the price to grade, or ... I don't know. I wonder if real-life considerations can inform mine before i just sell them for spot. And especially for the nickels because some of those steps do seem valuable - I guess i'd saw the proof sets open myself? A bother anyway you slice it!

I do note the threads such as
Grading High Grade Modern Coins (MS68, MS69, and MS70) http://www.cointalk.com/t115296/
but recognize that i'm just a hack and that rumoredly the TPGs sometimes seem arbitrary.

 

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If you are not a keen grader then you are likely to be giving away all your funds by having the coins graded in search of an MS70 GW commem or a PR70 proof coin. A quick glance at the population reports shows that PCGS has never certified a 1982 GW commem as MS70 and that MS69 examples sell for $100 or even less. The far more common MS68 and below examples sell at essentially melt. For the proof sets it would help to know the dates. However, I can confidently tell you that if you are not already expert in grading these coins that you will end up with far less money after certification and sales vs. simply selling the coins raw.

 

All proof nickels should have full steps and will not receive FS designation. You will find the FS designation only on MS Jeffersons.

 

The MS70 market is very elusive as what sells for multiple hundreds out of the starting blocks, often sells for half that price a month or two into the race.

I'm of the opinion that if you cannot tell the difference between an MS70 and MS69, you'd be wise to not bother submitting the coins in "hopes" of getting an MS70. You'll only end up broke AND disappointed!

 

Actually, it is easier distinguishing an MS or PF 70 from an MS or PF 69 than it is distinguishing an MS or PF 65 from an MS or PF 64.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT SPAM!

To give you an idea of what they might sell for raw in the OGP, you can view this current listing which has about 3 days left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221157400602?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Chris