Posted 01/15/2014 05:54 am
Tony - it depends on your view of these coins. The coins from the mint that have mint marks on them are much less available than the unmarked (bullion) coins. Since the mint started producing these coins in 1986 - there have been hundreds of millions of the unmarked coins made - over 42 million last year alone. The earlier releases are quite a bit tougher to find in MS70 condition, but the newer MS70 coins are relatively common.
In 2006 the mint started the uncirculated mint marked coins. These are produced yearly now (with a couple of years they didn't due to supply issues), and are not mass manufactured in the millions. These will be a bit harder to find and if you can get them in MS69 or MS70 you'll be fine either way (IMO). A new collector might want to start, complete and maintain this set of coins.
The proof and uncirculated are sold from the mint in the boxes you describe with a premium. The bullion coins are sold to resellers only and generally are purchased for a little over the market price for silver and then resold to the public with another small mark up. Some get them graded and add another mark up. (we won't even discuss the labels for yet another variation).
Which you collect is up to you. Many like to buy from the mint and keep the OGP - others prefer to buy the graded slab coins - and others mix and match them all. Naturally the proof set is the hardest of all of these to complete.
In 2006 the mint started the uncirculated mint marked coins. These are produced yearly now (with a couple of years they didn't due to supply issues), and are not mass manufactured in the millions. These will be a bit harder to find and if you can get them in MS69 or MS70 you'll be fine either way (IMO). A new collector might want to start, complete and maintain this set of coins.
The proof and uncirculated are sold from the mint in the boxes you describe with a premium. The bullion coins are sold to resellers only and generally are purchased for a little over the market price for silver and then resold to the public with another small mark up. Some get them graded and add another mark up. (we won't even discuss the labels for yet another variation).
Which you collect is up to you. Many like to buy from the mint and keep the OGP - others prefer to buy the graded slab coins - and others mix and match them all. Naturally the proof set is the hardest of all of these to complete.
Edited by Doug58s
01/15/2014 06:04 am
01/15/2014 06:04 am
to CCF. Collecting MM or non MM depends on what you are intending to do with the coins.Are you putting together a set or buying them as "bullion"?Also if you are getting slabbed MS70's what company are you buying?Should stick with PCGS,IMHO.Here is a good site for slabbed coins 
