Quote:1) My question revolves around approximately what type of grade 'on average' could someone expect if PCGS or NGC grades a broken-out mint set coin whose external cellophane covering appears to be untouched or undisturbed in any way.
I pose this question only because of some of the earlier KHD prices I've seen for MS-68 through MS-70, for example.
I have never actually opened up any mint set to submit a particular coin for grading in the hopes that it would bring an astronomically high grade resulting in a great resale price.
It is often difficult to determine a coin's possible grade just my viewing it through the cellophane.
2) Would it be better to send a coin to the
TPG that is still in its original cellophane or not?
The fear of not being able to at least recoup the cost of round trip freight, insurance, and the cost to grade have always dissuaded me from a
TPG and pushed me to take my chances on other known higher return numismatic endeavors.
3) I'd like some feedback from folks that have actually done this and hit a home run.
In summary, please address my three statements above so I will feel more comfortable with having a better idea of how to proceed with this process and what to reasonably expect from these mint sets.
Expected grade, high end grade, and low end grade varies a lot by date and mint mark. A 1976 type I Ike will typically be MS-62 and tends to top out in MS-65 while the low end is a really awful coin. By the same token a 1989-D will usually be MS-66 at the low end and MS-69 at the high end. MS-66 and 67 are fairly common. Many are even highly PL.
It's quite easy to grade through the plastic but does require a little experience to consistently get it right. The biggest thing to know is to squeeze the edge of the coin between your thumb nail and index finger nail to make it move while looking at the marks. You'll see many of the marks are actually in the plstic.
Mint set coins are worth more wholesale than the value of a mint set which is causing them to get cut up in huge numbers. You can figure two mint sets out of three will have a Gem coin in them but most of these Gems will be common cents and dimes. Or nearly as common quarters.
In all cases top notch coins are quite elusive and tend to account for around one coin per about fifty sets. Very few people know these when they see them so they're no more difficult to find today than 20 years ago. A few coins are picked over a little and some mint sets are corroding now days but otherwise Gems are no more difficult now than in the pas. Don't expect to find cameo SMS any longer unless you can find sealed sets. These are rare so even in sealed sets they are tough.
Posted 10/03/2014 09:09 am
