I have recently decided to buy a Half Eagle gold coin and want to but it from Apmex. The three I'm considering buying are 'selected year cleaned" uncertified for $390, pcgs selected year in MS-61 $469, and pcgs selected year in MS-62 $479. What should I buy? Thanks,
Go to a coin show & look for a slabbed gold coin that speaks to you. You will be happy with it & the fact that it is in a slab provides some assurance that it is authentic. Gold in a slab is easier to sell than raw gold. (Sorry for the crummy photo).
APMEX is reliable, but if you are simply buying this for bullion that this is a stiff premium when the gold value of these coins is approximately $330 at today's spot price.
I agree with Collect89 and suggest you buy a coin you like instead of generic by the grade. If you have the ability to buy safely, there is still a lot of perfectly acceptable and gradable common/generic gold out there in the raw, but if you're going to pay any premium for the slab, at least buy one you will enjoy, especially since low MS Libs can be rather unattractive. Cleaned should go without saying.
I'm not a proponent of buying common date gold coins. They far outnumber moderately scarcer dates in the same price range, and there should be more spread between their prices. I recommend you go to a show, look at what dates are available in your price range and, as long as it's a reasonably attractive coin, buy the date that's least available.
