Raw coin selection

JD

On average, how many raw coins do you normally look at before finding that you like and are willing to buy? I know it's subjective and depends on whether you're searching for a specific coin or just out shopping. Yesterday I looked at over raw 300 coins at one shop (all types from 1/2 cents to $10 gold) and didn't find one that wasn't cleaned and/or in orginal XF condition or better. Not to mention the asking prices were all 20% plus over book and that included the cleaned stuff.

LucyBop

We had a local coin show a few weeks back, it was a small show with maybe 35 dealers and not much graded stuff. I had a blast searching through the raw Franklins and I found 2 keepers, a 50p and 50d which I have already submitted for grading. I believe both to be atleast ms64fbl with the 50p have a chance at ms65. Both coins were 25 each. I am hoping that my 'grading skills' pay off. Any shop I goto I love searchin the raw stuff but I am finding that alot of dealers have the nerve to ask slabbed prices. I have encountered this in New Mexico, Oregon, California and Arizona.....At Long Beach numerous dealers were doing this and to my surprise they were selling their wares... Hmmmmmmm.... When I search through the raw stuff if I find a gem I'll buy it whether I already have the date or not...

CLASSICS

thats the problem not only today but from years ago.....overpriced and over graded..... someone just asked if the st. louis show was any good, most said it was very slow. very slow, maybe joe collecting public, is just turned off by all the b.s.

robertpr

That is the problem for me too, I go into a coin shop, look at EVERYTHING, and I don't find anything because the stuff just isn't up to par or is outrageously overpriced. I look at a ton of stuff on eBay too and trust me I look at about 300 auctions for every one that I bid on because people have such poor quality stuff they are trying to get top dollar for. If I don't like a coin, I just don't buy it. And there seems to be a LOT of stuff I don't like. Spots, scratches, bad toning, etc.etc. turns me OFF.

CLASSICS

robertpr, you said it right, ebay is full of overpriced and over graded junk, you have to look hard to find really nice items...i just looked at a silver dollar graded ms 66 , oh yea! just beautiful.....the coin has been dipped an buffed to look prooflike, what a piece of junk. some of these sellers are just a bunch on idiots who think everyone will beleive what they tell someone. and lets face it, when you see the really nice items they want tomorrows prices. something great sure it deserves a good price, but most is overpriced, oh by the way, have you also noticed, they dont sell. i just saw a 1962 proof quarter pretty toned high grade at over 200.00 guess what, it did not sell. i also saw a ms 64 toned kennedy half dollar, the reserve was 500.00. it did not sell.... i also saw a 1957d franklin half dollar graded ms 64 they want 2,200.00 dollars for it... repeat 2.200.00.... hello. is any body home ????? its time to get real... i just love to watch these sellers keep listing and relisting, these over priced items on ebay, guess they like paying ebay fees....

Dog97

Usually about 25-50 before I get one. That's not counting the millions I look at on the net but the "hey there's one like I want" coins.

09sVDB

That's why I buy 90% slabbed. When I do buy raw, the dealer gives me a gaurentee that if I submit it, it will certify to the grade it was sold at or better. So far I have not had one coin grade below the assigned grade and a couple have gone higher.

JD

Funny, I also notice that slabbed coins usually sell within 10%+- of book while raw coins swing as much as 40%. And usually it's based more on the seller's personality than the coins grade. How many of you have recently heard, "This coin's original thus I'm asking for a premium over book". Well, I'm ok with that, but on the other hand how many of you have often heard "this coin's been cleaned so I'm selling it at a discount?"

Says a lot about finding a dealer you can trust and sticking with him. Also says alot about willing to pay him a solid book or a bit over price for going the extra 'search mile'.

Gotta know who you're dealing with, gotta know what you're doing, just gotta keep looking, listening and learning.

robertpr

I've found a couple dealers I like on eBay and keep coming back over and over and over to their stuff. I find I have to pay more and more money to get their stuff as more people are 'finding' these dealers.