Valuing Ag-3 And F-2 Coins

If it is a valuable coin, I got to heritage and check past auctions for coins of that grade.

My advice would be to use a coin like this as a pocket piece until it is P-01 condition, then sell it for a huge premium as a "Lowball coin"

I collect World coins and I use Krause (naturally) to help with type identification. For some issues, the prices relative to condition are no better than the product of a random number generator. That does not stop this very good publication being an essential tool in the hands of a collector of World coins.

Prices are not normally quoted for below F condition, with good reason, the coins themselves are not collectible unless scarce or rare.

Using my own rule of thumb, for value vs. condition on grades less than F, I will divide the F quoted value by half to get to VG, and so on, to arrive at the value of the coin I am considering.

I never use Krause for valuing U.S. coins, there lots of other more specific publications that provide more accurate pricing information, In the event of not having the values listed for low grade coins, I still use the my own rule of thumb indicated above.

Most post 1892 common date silver coins, 1878 for silver dollars, in such low grades aren't worth more than their actual silver content by weight. Common date nickel and copper coins are virtually worthless.

Unless the coin would retail for at least $25.00, except silver dollars of course, in Good-4 it doesn't make much sense to buy an AG, Fair or Poor condition coin since a coin grading a solid Good isn't much more money and would actually be easier to sell when you decide to either trade it for an upgrade or sell the coin outright because you are dealing with known established values for the grade. For the rarities, then the value would depend on if the coin has any "problems" such as scratches, dings, being bent, etc. over and above the actual wear.

Ed
ANA LM-3175

A silver or gold coin has two components that make up the value.
The bullion value and the
premium above the bullion value.

It is the premium value component that is related to the grade.

For common silver coins in low grades, the premium is negligible, irrespective of whatever low grade it happens to be.

I have ten AG3 large cents, 1828-1856, and a few ag3 Indian Head cents.