PCGS

P.S. I am talking about PCGS graded coins.

The PCGS price guide shows dealer asking prices...full retail price.

I think there are few reasons the prices might be lower on ebay.

There is some risk involved in the purchase. Will you get the coin? Will the coin be worthy of the grade? You don't have the chance to hold the coin in your hand first, and get a good look at the coin.

Scott Travers, I believe in Coin Collectors Survival Manual, claims that coins on ebay tend to be overgraded. Or, they might be coins that are at the lower end of their grade, and could have just as easily been given the next grade down. If the coin was at the high end of the grade, there is a greater chance the seller would have already cracked the slab to resubmit the coin to try to get the next grade up. Especially if there is a large price difference between that grade and the one right above it.

I have purchased PCGS graded coins from ebay and questioned whether the grade is correct. The grade on the slab seemed too high, by 2 points or more. I have had return coins before that were obviously mis-graded. So you have to be prepared to possibly pay shipping both ways on a coin that doesn't meet your expectations.

Finally, there is the risk of getting a counterfeit slab. These do exist, but the risk is probably slim of getting one. Nonetheless, it is a risk.

HTH,

steve

This. Remember, PCGS have a vested interest in higher coin prices. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - price guides are only useful for relative comparisons. The true guides to price are the dollars you and I are willing to fork over for the coin, as indicated by real-world records of real-world sales.

The sought after earlier keys will be your best bet in a slumping economy.

I'll also check Teletrade for former winning bids on TPG coins I'm interested in purchasing.

Their price guides are inaccurate/outdated or futuristic.