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Lower Grades More Valuable? Why?

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Wyvern_64's Avatar
United States
19 Posts
 Posted 08/12/2019  1:21 pm Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Wyvern_64 to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I was looking through the PCGS price guide, grades 1-20, and noticed P-01 to P-03 grades can sometimes be worth more (sometimes significantly more) than G-04 or even VG-08 grades. What's going on here?

This is very prominent on Peace dollars, where I noticed it first:
https://www.PCGS.com/prices/detail/.../grades-1-20

Franklins in P-02:
https://www.PCGS.com/prices/detail/...ades-1-20/ms

Even Barber halves (which commonly come in low grades) like 1895-O:
https://www.PCGS.com/prices/detail/...ades-1-20/ms

Why are these more valuable than higher grades? Just because these coins didn't circulate much, so genuine highly worn examples are rarer than less worn ones? I'm surprised people don't "artificially" wear coins down to these low ranges by carrying and handling them a lot... or is that something to actually watch out for?
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Collects82's Avatar
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1316 Posts
 Posted 08/12/2019  1:58 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Collects82 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
There is a subset of collectors who prioritize these "lowballs." Literally, there are registry sets being built targeting the lowest grade. Check out the "Lowball Glory" thread to better understand this passion for some.

For some series, a certified PO1 or FR2 can be a much harder find than a piece in the other end of the spectrum, so there is a thrill of the chase aspect too.
Edited by Collects82
08/12/2019 2:04 pm
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Numisma's Avatar
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4963 Posts
 Posted 08/12/2019  3:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Numisma to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I'm surprised people don't "artificially" wear coins down to these low ranges by carrying and handling them a lot... or is that something to actually watch out for?

Exactly. "Properly" wearing out a coin, by handling it and keeping it in your pocket, takes a lot of time, but there are plenty of people who do it. I always have a couple low-grade Morgans and a few other coins in my pocket, mostly just for the heck of it- they've worn very little in four years.
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moxking's Avatar
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17900 Posts
 Posted 08/12/2019  3:53 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add moxking to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Carry a few nickels for a decade or so to get an idea of how little all the handling does.

Up until the 1970's, even into the 80's, we actually used coins, clerks didn't need a computerized register to figure the change, and there were actual items you could buy with change.

Today cards instead of cash.

Tomorrow chip implants instead of cards.
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52Raymo's Avatar
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 Posted 08/12/2019  10:45 pm  Show Profile   Check 52Raymo's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add 52Raymo to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
I have one but I can't seem to generate much interest in it.


Lower-Grades-More-Valuable?-Why?
Lower-Grades-More-Valuable?-Why?
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
Edited by 52Raymo
08/12/2019 10:46 pm
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basebal21's Avatar
13014 Posts
 Posted 08/12/2019  11:05 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add basebal21 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I have one but I can't seem to generate much interest in it.


Lowball collectors generally want them graded already
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 Posted 08/13/2019  07:51 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
However, do you know anyone that actually buys them?
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BStrauss3's Avatar
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4589 Posts
 Posted 08/13/2019  08:18 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add BStrauss3 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Me... I don't ACTIVELY chase them, but if I find the lowest graded 3CS of a given date for a fair price, I'll grab it.
-----Burton
50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973)
Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA
Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club
Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983)

Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/
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