Certified Vs Not Certified

Have you looked on Collector's Corner?

I did a quick search there and found an uncertified example for $45. It did have mottled toning which the pictures made it look heavy/dark.

Another example on there was graded MS-64 by PCGS. It was priced at $49. The pictures wouldn't come up for me though. The listing was current as of 12-30-2013.


-MV

I'm not "older than dirt" But I feel the same way woodcr. I have some analogies for the way I feel about slabbed coins, but this is a family forum.

I will check Collectors Corner, those prices sound more reasonable. I do like my coins not toned and not mottled, so I may be checking with them on a regular basis til I find one that suits me.

Still looking for the answer as to what kind of added value to expect for certified vs not Certified.

for a micro S, a non slabbed one is fine.

For a key date like the 16d, 42/1 I would want slabbed

If I can't see the coin in person then I want to purchase a slabbed coin. For an on-line purchase with images, I want slabbed as well unless it is from a respected dealer that a I can talk to like JJ Teaparty. I have seen too much imaging "trickery" to trust the online images. Plus, with the proliferation of TPG, I am always skeptical as to why the coin isn't slabbed to begin with. Once it's in my collection then I just keep them stlbbed so I know they're protected and will be easier to dispose of if I ever decide to liquidate it for some reason.

So, with that said, back to the original question. It's hard to answer how much more a coin is worth slabbed vs. unslabbed. For me, I'm not buying most coins on ebay unless they're slabbed. At my trusted LCS, I will be able to see the raw coin in person and I do not care as much if it's slabbed or not.

{Edited because of my iPhones stupid spell checker changing every word from slabbed to stabbed.}

I personally don't slab anything that has a FMV of less than $150. Even then, it depends what it is.

I have a 1918/7-D Buffalo nickel that I found cheap! That one was a no brainer when it comes time to sell. It's in PCGS plastic.