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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,534 |
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New Member
United States
40 Posts |
I've been collecting gold dollars and quarter eagles almost exclusively for the last 4 years now. Mostly because of cost issues, I've always gone for AU55-58 examples over BU examples. For C, D and CC branch issues it's almost impossible for me to afford mint state.
However recently I picked up an MS62 1925-D $2.50 Indian and think it's leaps and bounds ahead of the AU examples I have. Maybe I just got a strong BU, but I'm starting to wonder if BU is worth the premium charged for them on gold dollars and quarter eagles.
For gold dollars, MS coins have quite a premium over sliders, almost double in some cases. For quarter eagles it varies more based on date.
What do you think? Would you prefer a collection with more pieces but in AU condition, or a collection with fewer pieces but all in choice mint state?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
It's gold. I'd take slightly lesser quality and greater quantity.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I've always been a fan of sliders. Especially with gold, which so often multiplies in value in BU grades. However, gold is also especially tough to find in *nice* AU, being so easily marked.
AU gold is a nice purchase, but you have to be very, very picky about it. If you're holding an AU gold coin which does not have at least the eye appeal of an MS63-64 coin, you've got the wrong AU.
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New Member
 United States
40 Posts |
I agree with you Dave that a collection of good sliders has tremendous eye appeal, but none of mine have the appeal of an MS63, at least not in my opinion.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I think a slider looks good in every denomination. I have seen some Morgan sliders that were just down right beautiful
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
I wish you peeps would quit talking about sliders. You got me hungry for Chateau Blanque, lots of ketchup and a side of onion chips.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Luster plays a big role and so does Optimal Collecting Grade. If you can afford MS pieces, go for it but watch for that huge jump in price when moving up just one point. That's the place to stop and find the best example you can in the lower grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1817 Posts |
Problem free XF-AU gold is much more difficult than most people realize, due to the inherent softness of the metal yet ironically retains its shine even in lower grades, unlike silver, nickel or copper which all tarnish quite easily. The caveat is always go for the best properly graded example you can afford. I can't grade gold because of its metal characteristics, so that means always buying eye-appealing specimens inside slabs.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
931 Posts |
I started out buying XF coins in order to invest in gold content with a coin that I enjoy. As time went by I could really see that the true beauty of the Indian Half and Quarter Eagles lies in the details. I just bought a 1929 Quarter Eagle in NGC MS61 today and paid $425 for it. I may have overpaid a bit, but I have been wanting a '29 for awhile now so I jumped on it with no regrets. I'm afraid that I have "the bug".
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,534 |
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Posted 04/04/2011 11:35 am
