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PCGS Details Grade
hbarbee
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I would personally not purchase a coin with a details grade but there are quite a few of them in the marketplace. How does one arrive at a retail value estimate for an UNC Details coin??
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I can only think of one significant coin that I bought as a details grade. It was an 1825 Half Dollar graded as uncirculated details. It looked to me an MS62/63 good strike obverse and reverse. But there was a small toning spot on the reverse that appeared to be the result of a dip that wasn't rinsed properly. Anyway, I put in a bid of $500 and won. I'm happy with it. Bottom line, it's a judgement call and how much do you want the coin.
I would say it all depends on the kind of problem and it's severity.
Often, there are auction records available, which can be used to help assess values for details-grade coins.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Depends on the coin, and what the problem is. A rare coin with a minor problem that on a bad day wound up in a details holder might still command most of the money. A common coin with a major obverse scratch or rim damage may be worth pennies on the dollar.
I bought 3 coins on ebay a seller listed as details but they weren't in slabs. One is now a top pop a PR68BN, the only PR BN for the year and denomination, the other is a 2/0 at PR66BN, and the 3rd is PR65BN. All 3 are plate coins.
That's obviously great for you. But it has has virtually nothing to do with potential results from buying details-grade coins in the holders of the top grading companies.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
While @Walkerguy21D is right on the money it is even more simple than that. Every coin has an opportunity cost associated to it: how likely you are to find one better or cheaper? Figure that out and pricing becomes a lot more obvious for any coin. Auction records like Mfeld said can shine light on the true opportunity more so than any specific ratio or formula
Remember value is only part of the equation as well. Liquidity or demand is important to consider as well. As an example this is in a PCGS UNC Details holder and worth about what a graded example would bring or even maybe a little more but has a smaller buyer pool at that price point than a basic coin.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
I would have no problem at all buying lightly cleaned or some "questionable color" coins in a slab at reduced prices.
I’ll add a little more confusion. I own three tougher large cents in details holders. Two of those I believe could straight grade if resubmitted, as I’ve seen worse examples straight graded, yet I got them at decent discounts after doing a lot of homework and comparison shopping…..establishing the opportunity cost, as @Crypto suggests. But they’d likely become more valuable in straight grade holders, right? Now how about those coins in straight holders, that have issues but slipped through? How do you value those?
Opportunity can be measured at prices above and below the mean right. A full priced yah-but is viewed with a demerit or two more than a discount yah-but. That said I have paid up for scarcer problem coins in straight graded holders knowing that when and if a better example came around I could most likely get auction average out of it because it was straight graded in a PCGS holder even if marginal.
I always use and like @TDN 's strat or the pile of money test; Picture a pile of money that any coin would cost and see which you rather have. Works for me
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
This is where personal judgement plays a big part. Is the issue major or minor? How does it affect your personal view of the coin? Is the price reasonable for the coin? Is it a scarce coin one may need for a set? Lots of things to consider. Cheers, RickO
Here is an example of a TPG company opinion of an uncirculated details coin.
Good points were brought up in this thread. I figured when I posted it that there probably could not be a definitive answer to my question. If the TPG reason for the details grade is questionable and one likes the coin, then buying it could be a good deal. If high value, maybe even breaking it out and resubmitting might get a straight grade. However, for some cases such as the very high value coin pictured above, resubmitting would probably not work!!!
Depending on the issue, sometimes they can be fixed, like removing pvc or toning that is obviously fake. If it is holed, scratched, etc. that is a different kind of issue.
@hbarbee
If you would like someone who knows pricing well enough and many of the ins & outs of the hobby / business, I would be more than happy to look at what youre considering and help with some guidance. Please fell free to PM me and I'll try and steer you in the right direction.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Cleaned details
I'm still happy just to have the variety in a PCGS holder.
1972d "No FG" AU
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