I notice the mention of TRENDS alot regarding price. I see it on E-bay alot and other places as well. Question: I've learned that prob the best way to asertain current value is past/current auction prices, but how much weight should be given to the TRENDS price, and how does PSCG arrive at a TRENDS price? TIA (Thanks inadvance)
Trends used to be the title of the price guide issued once a month by Coin World. It is now called Coin Values. But Trends is also a generic name given to price guides in general - in other words the current "trend" of the market, or market trends. So basically, it is meaningless as it could be said to apply to any price guide. So keep on doing as you are, pay attention to realized auction prices and forget "trends". As to how PCGS arrives at their listed values - that is a question no one has ever been able to answer. Of course that might be because, as a general rule, the prices are so far from reality that there is no answer
Ignore PCGS values. I've never ONCE seen a go sell for as much as they list their price at. I do use it often though, with the assumption that the coin will go for 50-60% of the value they list (seems to be about right most of the time), and if the coin I am looking at is in that range, I check heritage auctions to see how much they typicall sell for.
I'll bet you track lower grade or more common coins. As you point out, PCGS values are high on these type coins. However, on rarer coins, and many key dates, it is the other way around. That being said, I agree with you that Heritage auction archives is the best source of pricing information. EBay isn't bad either, but much harder to search. Take care...Mike
You are right. I never spend more than 1k on a coin. So I guess my advice is probably best for that. I guess if a coin is hard to find, people may pay ultra premiums, as otherwise they just can't get the coin.
It's Business as Usual I've come to the conclusion that the reason PCGS price guide is higher then most realized prices is that it is business. 1. They are in the business of getting you to send them coins for grading. 2. If suggesting that their graded coins are worth more then realized prices. then they have a better chance of getting your business. 3. If were to believe that a 1954-D Franklin would realize the $150.00 value they say it is worth then I would be very inclided to send them any that I had purchased for half that. Even still I like what they do for preservation and I feel very comfortable with PCGS's ability to grade coins fairly and not to over grade.
