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Top Pop discussion revisited
skamieniecki
Posts: 78 ✭✭✭
I collect one set of coins in AU58, and Everyman Set. After I have purchased a coin it sometimes will state that the coin is a Top Pop for that grade. This has been a nice bonus when I add the coin to my inventory or sets. I've asked PCGS how I can know BEFORE I bid, or buy, a coin if it is a Top Pop graded coin. PCGS was less than helpful except they did tell me that there can be many Top Pop coins of the same grade, like AU58. What I really wanted to understand is how I can review a certified coin and see if it is a Top Pop cert before I buy. Anyone have more info?
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Verify the coin here: https://www.pcgs.com/cert/
Check the pop reports here: https://www.pcgs.com/pop
Looking at both I guess I don't see where the cert is stated to be the Top Pop of the grade. Pop report states 911 graded as AU58. Thanks.
A coin would only truly be THE “top pop for the grade” if the population were 1. If the pop were 2 or more, it would be tied for top pop. If the pop is 911, your coin would be tied with 910 others for top pop.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Your AU58 is Top Pop for Everyman if there are no AU58+ for that particular coin. The cert. should state how many higher..if zero then you have a Top Pop...it becomes much more complicated with copper coins. When you are trying to figure out if the sole coin in Red is MS63 and you are looking at a MS66 Brown. I believe Red trumps Brown no matter the numerical designation.
You can also plug in the cert# to "What If" in the set registry app (or the normal website but it looks a little different) to see the results on your set.
A side issue where you have two or more coins grade 58 is when they were graded. Years ago a 58 coin was a very nice coin that would have graded 64 or higher minus some rub or luster break. Today a 58 count could be a 62 (many distracting marks) minus some run or luster breaks. The same may be true in other situations where the grading standards have shifted.
That a question for the OP. When you compare your 58 coins do you see situations where the quality of the 58 coins is different?
You’ve seriously cracked au58 coins in old holders and had them regrade as ms64s? I can see this possibly happening with 1 or 2 coins, but this is definitely not the norm. Way too big of a condition difference to mistakenly grade coins this erroneously. There would be so many gold cac stickers in existence.
So how about only "one" coin graded in the entire grade listing, (one coin, one grade). It seems something like that could be a super pop.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
Or just a very inexpensive coin that's not worth submitting.
Good point @jmlanzaf.
Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )
I use TPG verify or cf check pop. I buy top pop world slabbed issues all the time. Then enter that as note during auc bidding process. I like top pop world slabbed coins - jus picked up another top pop slabbed early 20th century world silver MS65 coin for $44 (online auc). Pop 1/0.