Advice Wanted! Will Getting Variety Attribution on THIS Coin Help or Hurt When Selling?

winesteven

Like some of you (but unlike many), I try to do things to maximize value when it comes to time to sell, either by me or my heirs. Many things are clear cut, but I’m really stumped on what to with this coin. While the label does not show this variety, it is a recognized variety - 3 over inverted 3, FS-301. Here are facts to consider BEFORE voting:

1. There’s not a high demand for this variety, as it’s R.2. Retail Price guides don’t show any significant difference in this MS65 grade - PCGS $3,500 each way, CAC $3,600 “regular”, $3,850 with the variety attribution.
2. Here though, is a big difference. With no variety attribution, there are 107 of these graded MS65 (46 by PCGS and 61 by NGC). Of those 107 graded MS65, 23 have a CAC sticker. WITH the variety attribution, there are only 4 coins graded MS65 (ONLY 1 other coin by PCGS - , and 3 by NGC). Of those 4 graded MS65 with the attribution, only 1 other coin has a CAC sticker! However, CAC has stickered five other coins with this variety graded higher - MS66, 67 and 68.

I truly believe having an attribution on the label chases away potential bidders who have no interest in that variety.
However, if several of those fewer collectors that would like to have that attribution in a grade this high, and see this is available, then MAYBE the bidding would be higher compared to more bidders without the variety attribution, or maybe not?

While everyone should feel free to post replies and comments, PLEASE do not vote if your reason for not submitting the coin for variety attribution is for a reason other than suggesting which of the two ways is your best guess as to which choice will result in a higher price realized. So if you wouldn’t send it in due the risk of loss in shipping, or the costs involved, or some other reason, feel free to comment but please do not vote. Thank you.

Steve

Crepidodera

Get the Variety Attribution added. Although you will likely attract fewer bidders, those that want this attribution will fight to get it!

Get the variety attribution added, I can't imagine a bidder being turned off because of it. And there's upside potential for those who collect by variety and want a quality coin.

Doug

CRHer700

Get the Variety Attribution added. Although you will likely attract fewer bidders, those that want this attribution will fight to get it!

I personally would get the attribution, all other cost factors aside. When buying, I would definitely see more value in an attributed coin, as I feel like it adds a layer of fun to the purchase even if you don't care about that particular variety.

ShaunBC5

Get the Variety Attribution added. Although you will likely attract fewer bidders, those that want this attribution will fight to get it!

I don’t know if it will add value for you, or not, but I don’t see the harm in it and for those who want it, they’ll be able to find it without getting lucky and cherry picking.

skier07

I try to maximize my higher dollar coins for similar reasons but I have no idea as far as your coin goes. Are there auction prices available for both? How many half dime collectors are there and does it make a difference? Resubmitting to PCGS and then back to CAC isn’t cheap and will you benefit financially?

yosclimber

In case it helps, your coin is an 1834 LM-1.
There is also LM-3 which also has the 3 / inverted 3 obverse.
I used @Bikergeek's attribution tool:
https://groovycoins.com/attribution

oih82w8

I would think that it would bring more with the variety added, then get it re-CAC'd. The less "white space" the better was a rule of thumb when writing performance reports when i was active duty. Fill up the label insert with descriptors, the more the better, IMO.

winesteven

@skier07 said:
I try to maximize my higher dollar coins for similar reasons but I have no idea as far as your coin goes. Are there auction prices available for both? How many half dime collectors are there and does it make a difference? Resubmitting to PCGS and then back to CAC isn’t cheap and will you benefit financially?

IF I decide to send it back for the variety attribution, the trip to PCGS and to CAC, it would be submitted when I have other coins (I already have a coin waiting to be sent back to CAC for restickering, as it was upgraded with a plus via Reconsideration). As such, getting the attribution on the label on this coin will not cost me any additional money for shipping. The only extra fees will be the reasonable $34 PCGS submission fee ($20 + $10 + $4) and the $25 CAC restickering fee. Total cost $59.

FlyingAl

I usually look for a price increase of 200%+ before submitting a coin for variety attribution. Otherwise, it's not worth the time and effort involved and the price change comes down to a lot of luck when crossing the auction block. Price guides also completely go out the window for varieties.

Recent auctions show no price difference between attributed and non-attributed coins, which for me signals there is no need to get the coin labeled as such.

TomB

I didn't vote because I don't like the reasons you attached for your voting choices. If you simply left the vote as "get it" or "don't get it" then I would have voted and told you my reason.

I would suggest you not send the coin in because by your own admission this is an R2 die marriage without high demand. If it has little demand then I cannot see a bidding war amongst interested parties. Anyone interested enough to value die marriages in this series already knows this is a relatively common die marriage and is not very likely to engage in a bidding war for the coin.

TallahasseeCoinClub

Don’t get the attribution. This way you will likely get more bidders.

I agree with the above comment. The two options sort of don't make a lot of sense.

davewesen

It does not matter how many bidders you get. It is probably not worth the $100+ for variety/reholder/shipping and CAC resticker or the 3-6 months needed to get it done.

calgolddiver

This is a very nice coin as is. No additional work or expense is required.

johnny9434

Don’t get the attribution. This way you will likely get more bidders.

Leave it up to the buyer, jmo

seatedlib3991

I have to say when it comes to varieties here is my rule of thumb. If you cherrypick a coin that is R-4 or better shout it from the roof tops and by all means put that information on the holder. If it is an R-1 or R-2, informed collectors allready know it is a common variety so why remind them? James

epc

Don’t get the attribution. This way you will likely get more bidders.

I voted "no", but do not think you'd get more or fewer bidders leaving the coin as-is. While there may be some sight-unseen buyers out there, it seems to me that for the money we're talking about here, potential buyers will examine the auction photos and TV. Anyone who care about varieties (like me) will note what it is. That is, you won't lose any serious variety collectors by not having the attribution on the label. I'm always looking for scarce things unattributed. I've found things like an 1858/1858 half dime and 1945 micro S dimes unattributed in high grade slabs, making for easy purchase decisions. IMO, the only thing you lose by leaving your coin as-is is the ability to get it in a variety registry set that requires attribution on the label. And depending on how you eventually sell it, you likely can have the attribution in the description if you want, and put a variety-appropriate price/reserve on it.

Copperindian

Don’t get the attribution. This way you will likely get more bidders.

I’m a dedicated variety hunter, but for this coin I wouldn’t bother with the attribution as it’s “minor”. When I acquire a coin like this, I know what it is & label the variety with my own sticker.

jacrispies

Get the Variety Attribution added. Although you will likely attract fewer bidders, those that want this attribution will fight to get it!

I was at first in the "submit for variety" club, but now I don't think it makes a difference. Whoever will list and sell (whether you or auction house) can list the variety in the title, and the holder can stay the same. That way both parties are pleased.

messydesk

If it's a common variety with no premium, then the only bidders you'd appeal to more are those putting together a complete PCGS registry set of bust half dimes by variety, as it would save them the trouble and expense of having it added to make it compliant with the registry. I don't think saving said additional bidders said expense would drive up the bidding, however. My vote would be "Don't get the attribution. You may get more bidders, but not more money."

Bikergeek

@winesteven I watched that coin; congrats on the win! I approach these from the standpoint of the variety collector: I always appreciate attribution being done. And I think it increases your buyer base, especially for the non-specialist who is filling in major varieties and needs a 3/inv3 and searches for it thusly.

But for a $3k+ coin, if I grab it unattributed, the added overhead of getting it attributed / restickered (or crossed to those folks in Virginia) is a minimal annoyance so the lack of attribution doesn't deter me.

I would just say, I don't like to commit a bunch of things to the mail in December due to the uptick in traffic. If you do attribute and resticker this, it's two round trips through the mail. That adds some small but non-zero amount of risk of loss.

Desert Moon

I did not vote because anyone interested in this coin should be figuring out the die marriage themselves or assume, and bid/buy accordingly, that it is an R1 or R2 if not labelled, so no Rarity price bump for the die marriage. So really no point in spending the money on getting it attributed and listed on the slab, then back to CAC, cost of 4 mailings and reslabbing and stickering. Ouch.

Also, on the slab, one can add a little white sticker with the Die variety listed on it for just a few cents, and there are enough online attribution guides to easily confirm it……………….

Barberian

@Desert Moon and @TomB nailed my thinking perfectly. Labeled R1s and R2s are not going to move the price needle.

I actually added attributions to several R3 coins in one submission when I started studying DMs thinking buyers might be attracted to an attributed coin. A waste of money unless you want to see your coins featured in Coin Facts. The only die marriages that will command a premium when DMs are added to the label are scarce die marriages (R5 and higher).

Maywood

I would avoid that coin and the Variety attribution or lack thereof wouldn’t factor into my decision. The tone on the obverse portrait is a killer for me. It may lend itself to “originality” but it presents an ugly coin to my eyes. When I look at it, my focus is drawn right to that area and I’d never be able to forget it.

If you want to attract bidders, have the coin conserved and forget about the attribution.

pursuitofliberty

No vote, but am in agreement with @TomB and others.

This seems like a effort in futility, with added cost and risk, to show a common Die Marriage on the holder, possibly creating a "certification rarity" for a future sale that may or may not have bidders that want the attribution on their holders.

Most early federal buyers fall into two sub-groups; those who can attribute and understand the differences in type, marriage and pricing ... and those that don't really get the whole thing.

If this were a rare marriage (say r.4 or greater), then I think I might feel differently. At r.5 or greater I think I would absolutely consider getting the attribution, despite the cost and risk, only because it may not get "seen" by enough people otherwise for it's rarity factor.

my 2c ... or "half a dime" in this case

habaraca

Enjoy your coins.....................
I am not a plastic collector or a sticker collector.
no one wants to lose money with a collection, BUT is it about the dollars or about the coins......
trying to MAXIMIZE dollars as the first thought, is not enjoyable to me, as it is added stress when
collecting should be all about relaxing and enjoyment.

yes I know I am in the minority here but to each his own.......

so If you enjoy chasing plastic and stickers GO FOR IT I wish you the best

WACoinGuy

Don’t get the attribution. This way you will likely get more bidders.

@Desert Moon said:
I did not vote because anyone interested in this coin should be figuring out the die marriage themselves or assume, and bid/buy accordingly, that it is an R1 or R2 if not labelled, so no Rarity price bump for the die marriage. So really no point in spending the money on getting it attributed and listed on the slab, then back to CAC, cost of 4 mailings and reslabbing and stickering. Ouch.

Also, on the slab, one can add a little white sticker with the Die variety listed on it for just a few cents, and there are enough online attribution guides to easily confirm it……………….

I've been doing exactly this with the white stickers on my coins. It's good enough for me for storage purposes and while I haven't sold anything that I attributed that's R-3+, from buying I'd tend to agree with others - if the seller knows it's a rarer variety that deserves a premium they'll usually reflect that in the asking price. There might be something to be said for heirs selling where the sticker might not mean anything to them but even there I've left notes on the best ways to sell my coins and noted which ones might have some variety premium to them. I guess if I were really organized, I could use a different colored sticker to designate that .. hmm, I'll have to consider that.