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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,982 |
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New Member
United States
20 Posts |
Just about all of my collection (except for maybe 6 or 7 MS coins) are raw. I like collecting coins raw rather than encapsulated ones (Everybody collects differently - I know). Most everything I have is circulated and there's nothing too scarce. As I've been adding to my collection (and moving backwards in coin history), purchases are tending to get more expensive (due to rarity and age). I wanted to get some opinions on when I should definitely buy TPG certified vs raw. Is there a year prior to which it just makes sense to buy TPG vs raw because the supply of good quality(not cleaned/holed/damaged) raw coins is limited? I imagine rarities (such as 1916-D Merc) should always be purchased from a TPG (I don't think I'd be able to detect a well-made counterfeit of a coin like that - and other people would want to buy them certified as well). What about other key or semi key dates such as 1938-D Walkers or 1919-S/1921-S Walkers (key Walkers)? How about classic Proof or MS coins? Is there a general price rule of thumb on when to buy TPG? I've seen $250 dollars on several articles, but this feels like an arbitrary number to me (why not $200 or $300?). I've been steering clear of any coins that I don't feel comfortable buying raw (for example - I wouldn't buy a any raw gold coins (if I could afford them) because I'd have no idea if it was real,cleaned etc - I just don't have enough knowledge yet). I'd love to hear your opinions! |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
250 is an arbitrary number, you need to come up with your own arbitrary number. Id say that number should be closer to 100 than 200. For me any key dates for sure, anything you arent comfortable buying raw, anything of significant value (you decide that on your own). Theres no set date where anything before that should be though I can count the number of people who Id buy a raw Trade dollar from on one hand. Most of the coins from the 1800s have been cleaned at some point that are MS grades. Its not a big deal its just what they did back then, you just dont want a recently cleaned one. But theres plenty of common stuff from back then like worn barber halfs thats perfectly fine buying raw. To me the whole value rules ect apply much more to sending a coin in when youre on the hook for the bill then buying. You couldnt get a modern dime slabbed for 5 bucks but you sure could buy one for it which is why I say you have a narrower window for when you need to send something in. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Buy them in a slab whenever you are not absolutely confident in your ability to grade and authenticate them yourself, or when the financial risk exceeds your comfort zone.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5850 Posts |
I'd say go with a TPG whenever you (a) care about whether it has been cleaned and/or (b) are buying as an investment. Most of my coin purchases have been for my 7070 Type Album and I honestly don't care if they have been cleaned as long as they look nice and I get them for a good price. Therefore, I've gone strictly with raw coins. If and when I decide to buy coins primarily for investment purposes ( i.e., if I ever get to the point where I actually care how much they will be worth years from now), I'll probably switch over to graded coins to protect that investment. |
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Valued Member
United States
83 Posts |
That's a hard one to answer as there are many who either "hate them" or "love them". The one major factor that I have found with them is if you plan on selling coins. Those graded by the top 3 sell pretty fast depending upon type and variety. As to collecting, hey a complete set of cleaned morgans looks nice anyday. As to their numismatic value being affected, who cares, as long as one likes what they have. If you plan on spending a considerable amount for a coin you realy want, then by all means buy TPG graded but first check the recent auction prices realized so you have some idea of what you will wind up paying. Not all TPG coins sell for the same prices. Even though PCGS will list a value of $500 the coin does not always fetch the posted prices, just look at the drop in MS and PR70 Eagles. As to grading, we all know that is a very subjective matter and not very often everyone agrees, hence the need for the TPG services. BUT, even they can get it wrong at times. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7189 Posts |
If I am comfortable with a series I have no problem buying raw. My 1938 d walker was purchased raw. But there are some coins notorious for counterfeits. Trade and Seated dollars, Lafayette dollar and Isabella Quarter I would only buy in a TPG holder for my own piece of mind. I also am working on proof cameo Franklin halves and here too I am looking for a TPG for grade and cameo designation. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2362 Posts |
I also prefer raw coins but when I'm out of my comfort zone I will turn to TPG coins. Then I receive them and break them out. Yes, 1916D mercury, 1922 no d lincoln, and some of the very early coins especially if they are pricey and I can't attribute them. Member ANA and EAC "You got to lose to know how to win". Dream On by Aerosmith |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I much prefer to buy my coins "Raw" simply because I object to paying a heavy premium simply because they have been packaged and graded by someone else. I am quite capable of grading coins for myself and don't like the idea of paying someone else for something that I will do anyway. Even on the rare occasion that I do buy a slabbed coin , I break it out and grade it for myself,  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
I buy them when I can get them dirt cheap, like in half the retail for the assigned grade.
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New Member
 United States
20 Posts |
Good suggestions. Thanks. I have a better idea about when to buy raw vs TPG. What about for dealers then? Why would a dealer choose NOT to get a rare or expensive graded by a TPG? For expensive coins, I imagine the grading fee would be a small(ish) percentage of the total sale. Wouldn't dealers make more money on rare coins if they were already graded by a TPG? |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Quote:Wouldn't dealers make more money on rare coins if they were already graded by a TPG? In general not necessarily. Having it slabbed gives a definitive grade that buyers can see and price compare. Raw ones can be over graded by dealers especially if there is a huge jump in the next price up and they dont think itd be assured to get it from a TPG, same with boardline things like PL ect. Basically slabbed would be easier to sell, but it takes away the wiggle room for dealers to try and get more being generous to their coins, or the slabbing could reduce the value if it comes back cleaned ect |
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Valued Member
United States
98 Posts |
It's not so much the grading of the coin, but the authenticity that matters. You can probably judge the grade from examining the coin or a photograph of the coin. The grade is moot if the coin is a fake.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
When I began to collect coins there were no grading services So I as with everyone else had to learn how to grade the coins we collected or bought and sold. Anyone who decides to collect coins must have in their numismatic library a copy of one or both of the following books, Photograde and The Official ANA Grading Dtandards for Uited States Coins. How can one know if a person selling coins is overgrading or not unless they have some knowledge of what to look for for the grade the seller claims the coin to be. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,982 |
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Posted 04/24/2013 2:24 pm
