Wanting this to be my first graded coin purchase. Which MS should I aim for?

Maserati27

I’ll base other 1927 coins around this since it’s a date I favor. And there’s only one mintmark of this coin so I don’t see it being too expensive as an 1927,1927d, 1927s Peace dollar set. In which I’ll do eventually. But in you’re own opinion, which is the min grade you’d aim for?

mannie gray

If you could find a nice high end 64, that would seem to be the best bang for your buck.

Maserati27

Mintage was 40,000 but 11,858 of those were sent back to Philadelphia mint for melting so leaves just a Mintage of 28,142.

jughead1893

I wouldnt worry too much about low mintage of classic commems,more supply than demand.Its been that way for decades

Jimnight

Get what you want.

Boosibri

Id say you an do better

Oldhoopster

It isn't clear, but if you are considering the coin in the first post, I would hold off and wait for something else

Cameonut

I hope you are not considering the exact coin in the first post.
I could never get over the big honking marks on the cheek.

MFeld

I suggest not deciding on a particular grade ahead of time. That would limit your options, unnecessarily and severely. Wait until you see a coin that you like, that’s priced fairly and that you can afford - regardless of what the grade is.

Namvet69

The Pmd on the obv is bothersome for me too. Me thinks you can find a nicer example. The hunt continues. Peace Roy

astrorat

The best MS to select is ... Most Satisfying

Pick a coin you enjoy ... not a number.

ricko

I agree with the consensus above.... You can do better than that coin and choose a coin with the look that you like...There are many choices out there, especially in the commemorative category. Look on the internet or go to a big show....Cheers, RickO

BillJones

I would not purchase the coin in the opening post if that is the piece you are considering because of the marks on the face. You can do better. The Vermont commemorative half dollar is an interesting coin and worth considering. Here is the piece in my collection, which is an MS-64.

From the collector perspective, a commemorative half dollar can be more interesting than a regular issue coin. Every one of them has an interesting story, both from the aspects of the events or persons they commemorate and the circumstances that surrounded their legislative approval and distribution. There are several excellent books on the subject.

These coins have been out of favor for years, and the prices have been drifting lower as a result. Part of the problem is that some dealers over hyped these coins as “investments” citing their low net mintages (net mint = The number of pieces made - The pieces returned to the mint and melted). You can't compare the mintages of these pieces with regular issue coins because collectors saved many of these coins, usually in Mint State, back in the day. The survival rates for commemoratives are almost always much higher than they are for regular issues.

I can't recommend these coins as an "investment," but they quite interesting if you decided to get into them. Prices are relatively low right now, which makes them a more attractive buy that when I formed my type set of them.

messydesk

As has been said, don't buy the one you posted. It's not as nice as many.

To gain some insight into what grade you should buy, look at what coins have sold for using CoinFacts, and reconcile that with how much money you want to spend. One thing you'll notice is that the prices are pretty flat up to and including MS65, then go up fast. Looking at this, I'd be inclined to look at several 65s and buy the nicest, thus maximizing my bang for the buck.

mustangmanbob

Look for the price change by grade. This is a random example. Don't buy someone else's dog when there is so much really good stuff begging for an owner.

Morgan Dollar 1879-S

Grade 4 12 40 55 62 63 64 65 66

Price 28 28 33 42 58 75 80 130 250

This is the "retail" price, and for many coins, such as Morgans, there is a glut of common date Mint State coins. Within the grade, there are dogs and really nice ones.

So in the case above, lets say you can buy at 75% ( and be lucky to sell for 60%), the retail price between an almost uncirculated 55 and a MS64 is less than $40, and really closer to about 30 actual, and a whole lot different quality of coin. You may be able to buy an MS65 for a $100. or an MS66 for less than $200.

Gold, for common date, is bullion driven

For example, a $20 Gold St. Gaudens is in Grade 40 Retail is 1525 and an MS65 is $1750.

braddick

Trivia:
Name the breed of cat on the reverse.

jmlanzaf

Yes, this coin is so rare I have 6 of them in stock! LOL (ranging from MS64 CAC to MS 66)

I had kind of an obsession with this coin last year.

Based on what I'm charging (ha ha) , 64 looks like the best bargain

CoinJunkie

@braddick said:
Trivia:
Name the breed of cat on the reverse.

Cougar, I believe.

thisistheshow

@braddick said:
Trivia:
Name the breed of cat on the reverse.

I won't spoil the answer here. I had to look it up. Great trivia question!

BillJones

@braddick said:
Trivia:
Name the breed of cat on the reverse.

It’s a catamount. An early design proposal depicted the Catamount Tavern were Ethen Allen and his friends met to plan their revolution. That symbolism went over most people’s heads.

Smudge

@BillJones said:

@braddick said:
Trivia:
Name the breed of cat on the reverse.

It’s a catamount. An early design proposal depicted the Catamount Tavern were Ethen Allen and his friends met to plan their revolution. That symbolism went over most people’s heads.

Cat mount breed. And the coin in the op is at least a step in the right direction, but I recommend a nice 65. Keep looking you will find the right coin.

291fifth

Be picky and DON'T overpay for any commems. That market has been dead for 30 years and shows no signs of coming back.

Maserati27

No not the coin as shown. That was just an example

davewesen

don't be tied or focused on a number

braddick

I owned a PCGS example once that was VF35 and was impressed by how attractive this design is even in a circulated grade.

divecchia

If you are asking what MS grade to buy, I would buy an attractive MS64 as the price jump starts to get more significant after that grade. BUT, as with any coin purchase it must please you (the buyer).

Good luck, Donato

yspsales

Classic Commemoratives are a wonderful choice.

They have been beaten down in price for 30 years and offer tremendous value and are easy to appreciate the beauty.

Go to the registry section and look at the commemorative sets displayed and find something YOU like... heavily toned, rim toned, or blast white.

Like that big cat on the back... it's the hunt that is most satisfying, especially when patient and seeking the right coin.

yspsales

Looking at realized auction prices, I would look for one in MS65 and preferably one MS66 if the budget allows.

Not much difference in price between MS64 and MS65.

Decent price appreciation between MS65, MS66, and MS67.

Cougar1978

MS 64 or higher

joeykoins

Well oh well. Finally! You're learning to focus on big and better coins. Good for you, dude! What you have posted is already far more better and interesting than the coins you previously posted. Nice category, even though it's not my cup of tea. Just as long as you enjoy whatever you choose. Once again, congrats. on graduating to a new level. LOL

Texast

1. Buy what you like.
2. Buy what you can afford to comfortably purchase.
3. Enjoy a new way for you to collect coins.

Have fun !

Hydrant

Ask abcde12345. Seems like you two are bonding. That's a good thing.

ACop

Get a raw one, they are always MS65 when raw. Then send it in and try to score it at 66. Send it in 10 times even if it comes back XF clean every time.

derryb

excellent series for a collection.

lkenefic

I think focusing on a particular grade leads one to only look at the plastic and not the coin... tunnel vision in this hobby can be quite expensive. If I was going about this, I'd look at a bunch of images of the coins you like, go to coin shows and get a feel for what they look like "in hand", and then save up for what you really like. There's nothing worse than scrimp in on a purchase only to realize that an extra $50 could have gotten you something you'd really like.