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Should I send this in to get graded?

Joshu44jonesJoshu44jones Posts: 20
edited August 11, 2024 3:48AM in U.S. Coin Forum

I paid $35 for this buffalo, if it comes back with a high grade I can make money off of it after expenses of sending it in. What is your guy's opinion ?


Comments

  • MICHAELDIXONMICHAELDIXON Posts: 6,515 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No, it isn't worth the additional cost of grading. To me, it doesn't have the "WOW!" factor for a high grade. Sell it and purchase an already graded 1938 D in MS66. There are plenty available, as I have sent in several rolls over the years and so have other dealers.

    Spring National Battlefield Coin Show is April 3-5, 2025 at the Eisenhower Hotel Ballroom, Gettysburg, PA. WWW.AmericasCoinShows.com
  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,536 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No. Too common.

  • erwindocerwindoc Posts: 5,110 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What do YOU think it grades? It looks like a very clean example to me, but as everyone so far has said, this issue is well-made and several high graded examples exist. Hard to make a decision on luster based on the images.

    Does it happen to be one of the d/s or d/d varieties? If so, it might be worth it, but even those are more common.

  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 6,955 ✭✭✭✭✭

    By the time you pay for grading (if you have the ability to submit yourself) and shipping back and forth (unless you are sending it in with a lot of other coins, which reduces shipping costs per coin) you'd need at least a 66+ to make lunch money. Anything lower is a losing proposition.

    That's not a great image to grade by, but that doesn't look like a 66 or better to me.

    If you're looking to educate yourself, that's cool. But that type of education can get expensive.


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  • RodentmanRodentman Posts: 85 ✭✭✭

    It's a nice coin, I'd keep it, or get it graded for your collection. It isn't always about making $. Just ask the folks with a safe full of Rolexes they bought gray.

  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    By the time you pay for grading (if you have the ability to submit yourself) and shipping back and forth (unless you are sending it in with a lot of other coins, which reduces shipping costs per coin) you'd need at least a 66+ to make lunch money. Anything lower is a losing proposition.

    That's not a great image to grade by, but that doesn't look like a 66 or better to me.

    If you're looking to educate yourself, that's cool. But that type of education can get expensive.

    I hope that the OP will respond to these excellent comments. Based on their previous threads I'm not holding my breath.

  • MarkKelleyMarkKelley Posts: 1,884 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I think you're maxed out at $35.

  • Old_CollectorOld_Collector Posts: 151 ✭✭✭

    I leave common coin submissions to the dealers and pro collectors with rolls of a date/MM that they pre-select. If I want a common coin, I buy it already graded (preferably with a return option if I don't like it in hand), no gamble that way.

    I send coins in for authentication, like when I find something valuable or get it at a garage sale for very little and the math works for a moderate grade to make me money.

    The other place that I hunt is on EBay for nice looking coins where the holder has an incorrect date and it is priced at the cheap labeled price, then I can send it in free for correction as a "mechanical error." I've found three in the last year that were a 3x return on the original purchase. The latest was a 1961-D Jefferson MS66 labeled and sold as a 1960-D MS66. Free shipping both ways and no cost to correct.

  • GreenstangGreenstang Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The cost of grading would take away any profit you would make.
    As this was the last year of the Buffalo nickels, many were hoarded
    so the are plenty of high grades for sale. If you are going to sell it,
    Sell it raw for what you think is a fair price and then the profit is yours.

  • Morgan13Morgan13 Posts: 1,337 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nothing wrong with owning a raw coin.
    There is no meat on the bone with this coin.
    Collect it as is or trade it towards a graded one.
    Sending it in is not worth it.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7

  • tommy44tommy44 Posts: 2,291 ✭✭✭✭✭

    … and whatever else you do flatten out those staples.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • JJMJJM Posts: 8,033 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nah

    👍BST's erickso1,cone10,MICHAELDIXON,TennesseeDave,p8nt,jmdm1194,RWW,robkool,Ahrensdad,Timbuk3,Downtown1974,bigjpst,mustanggt,Yorkshireman,idratherbgardening,SurfinxHI,derryb,masscrew,Walkerguy21D,MJ1927,sniocsu,Coll3tor,doubleeagle07,luciobar1980,PerryHall,SNMAM,mbcoin,liefgold,keyman64,maprince230,TorinoCobra71,RB1026,Weiss,LukeMarshall,Wingsrule,Silveryfire, pointfivezero,IKE1964,AL410, Tdec1000, AnkurJ,guitarwes,Type2,Bp777,jfoot113,JWP,mattniss,dantheman984,jclovescoins,Collectorcoins,Weather11am,Namvet69,kansasman,Bruce7789,ADG,Larrob37
  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,560 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You're going to be out at least $50 between shipping, grading, handling, etc.. Enjoy the coin; if you decide to sell, maybe GC would be a good option where they'd get it graded and sold cheap.

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,652 ✭✭✭✭✭

    No.

  • VetterVetter Posts: 859 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you want a high grade buy one already graded at the level you want. Let someone else pay for the grading. No way you come out ahead with the coin you posted.

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  • AotearoaAotearoa Posts: 1,490 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The relevant values have been cropped out of your photo: actual auction prices realised, which I imagine are quite a bit lower than the PCGS ‘prices’.

    Smitten with DBLCs.

  • Some_of_itSome_of_it Posts: 136 ✭✭✭

    Is that a D over D and is there a scratch between the legs?

  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,848 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Nice coin but I wouldn't send it in. Buy a nice one already graded.

    Many happy BST transactions
  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 8,510 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Not a bad price at $35.
    It looks like a MS-65 or maybe MS-66.
    If it were mine, I would put it in a 2x2 box with other nice (but "raw") coins.

  • JimTylerJimTyler Posts: 3,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why does it always boil down to I might be able to make some money. I wonder if 150 years ago if someone would have said I paid 8 c for this chain cent I think I can get 9c.
    This new breed of dealers at the show are really something. They look at the label pull out their computer and quote a price. Enough came up with the same value to convince me there is no brain power at work. I would have loved to see these guys pre slab pre computer (you know back when they were still filling diapers)

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,223 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would enjoy it raw, you can pick up a very nice 66 or even higher for a very modest sum and it’s already graded, there’s no surprises with the grade and it’s just done right then and there.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,548 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @braddick said:
    Looks like the OP decided not to keep it.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/355944914546

    I would be shocked if the final price was anywhere near $35

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,548 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why does everyone think they should be a coin dealer?

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,227 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @logger7 said:
    You're going to be out at least $50 between shipping, grading, handling, etc.. Enjoy the coin; if you decide to sell, maybe GC would be a good option where they'd get it graded and sold cheap.

    If you wanted to get it graded, you would submit it with a group of other coins so this coin would essentially be hitching a free ride with the other coins. Also, does ANACS or ICG still have grading specials where you can submit 10 or more coins and the grading fee is sharply reduced?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
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  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,360 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Find a collector who will get you out from under it before it’s too late.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,675 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I guess he forgot to thank you guys for your input and opinions. :D

    The several threads that he's started have all been like this one, looking to know if he can make a buck. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but that seems to be his focus.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,548 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBK said:
    I guess he forgot to thank you guys for your input and opinions. :D

    The several threads that he's started have all been like this one, looking to know if he can make a buck. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but that seems to be his focus.

    That's okay. If you look at his other ebay listings, I don't think we want to be recognized as his numismatic advisors. He makes flea market dealers look like David Hall.

  • BarbercoinBarbercoin Posts: 1,013 ✭✭✭

    @tommy44 said:
    … and whatever else you do flatten out those staples.

    WTB: Barber Quarters XF

  • MetroDMetroD Posts: 2,223 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2024 6:42AM

    Retracted Public Comment - Sent the OP a PM instead.

  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2024 9:28AM

    I paid $60 retail for a bright, well struck example in an MS-66 holder. It’s no worth getting graded.

    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • AlanSkiAlanSki Posts: 1,925 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would if it looked like this.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,360 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Buy a PCGS graded example in MS 64. Then compare it to yours.
    I bid $10 but agree with jmlanzaff( which is more often than not) that you may not get your investment back. (Since you’re approaching this from a business perspective)
    Your coin is not PQ or gem. That implies MS 67, to many of us older people.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Joshu44jones , your coin also exhibits a slightly weak strike, which on some other dates would actually be exceptionally sharp, but on a 1938-D plenty of fully struck coins can be found. You would be better off to buy one of those. See the two examples above for full details.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 34,548 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TwoSides2aCoin said:
    Buy a PCGS graded example in MS 64. Then compare it to yours.
    I bid $10 but agree with jmlanzaff( which is more often than not) that you may not get your investment back. (Since you’re approaching this from a business perspective)
    Your coin is not PQ or gem. That implies MS 67, to many of us older people.

    67 is definitely the level you have to hit to make this worth submitting. They spread is between 66 and 67.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 14, 2024 10:52AM

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @braddick said:
    Looks like the OP decided not to keep it.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/355944914546

    I would be shocked if the final price was anywhere near $35

    It has reached $10.50 plus $2.50 shipping.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,105 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CRHer700 said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    @braddick said:
    Looks like the OP decided not to keep it.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/355944914546

    I would be shocked if the final price was anywhere near $35

    It has reached $10.50 plus $2.50 shipping.

    I am the underbidder (also on my 'watch list').
    It'll be interesting to see where this one lands.

    peacockcoins

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sold for $20.44 including shipping. Did you win @braddick ?

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,360 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CRHer700 said:
    Sold for $20.44 including shipping. Did you win @braddick ?

    I was the underbidder at $17.44.

  • braddickbraddick Posts: 24,105 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @CRHer700 said:
    Sold for $20.44 including shipping. Did you win @braddick ?

    I did not.
    Sometimes, for truly unknown circumstances, I lose interest in a coin and the extra steam needed to chase after it toward the end of an auction is no longer.
    This Buffalo is an example of that.

    peacockcoins

  • CregCreg Posts: 523 ✭✭✭✭

    He leased that bison for two dollars a day.

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