Grading $ 50 Pan Pacs and general eye appeal

Higashiyama

As these coins move through grades 63, 64, and 65, could someone comment on eye appeal? There is not a huge jump in price from 63 to 64, and the jump is big going to 65. In terms of eye appeal, where is the best value for these coins? (or is it a PQ 58?)

Coppernicus

I don't know this series but I will say that generally, when there is a huge price jump from one grade to the next, I find myself seeking out PQ specimens in the lower grade and saving the difference for something else. In my specialty (early Lincolns) I have many older MS65s that are as eye appealing as the 66s I was tempted by, and I have a more complete set as a result. Why pay $450 for a 66 when a PQ 65 can be bought for $80? The $370 can buy another nice coin or two, or three.

That's just the way I look at it - I'm not on an ego trip for the finest set in some numerical battle - I just like coins with great eye appeal. The one drawback to this approach for some people is that it takes a lot of time to find the right PQ coin in the lower grade. Can't be done on ebay - must have coin in hand. I can wait!

Mike

michael

well these coins are all about hiarlines and marks mostly hairlines and if you are smart enough to see the hairlines on the high points this to me is not too eye appealling especially so if you pay the huge prices for these coins

then you are really stuck

just make sure the owl and the pinecones are fully struck on the reverse with no hiarlines for an elusive gem coin

for me usually satiny lustre but the frosty lustre ones with fully struck surfaces especially so as per the above and in true gem is a really eye appealling coin!
rare as such

but they are extremely popular coins and always will be

just make sure you gets a good one if you buys one!

i will never ever be able to afford such a coin in any grade! and if i could i would go with gem or as close to gem as i could get i guess a super nice 64 with frosty lustre and fully struck this would be a good buy value coin if you gots the $$$$$$$$$$$

personally i would stay away from 63 or below unless the 63 is really super nice eith tremendous eye appeal the 65 66 real 65 and 66 coins are extremely RARE do 67 coins exist? if so a monster super rare coin of the highest degree and magnitude of rarity wow!!!!!! wild!!!!!!!!!



many many are damaged repaired and HARSHLY cleaned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



sincerely michael

coinguy1

MS63's usually have numerous hairlines and/or light cleaning or wiping and/or "rub". MS64's are generally more liquid than MS65's when it comes time to sell. And, they are not priced too much higher than MS63's but are quite a bit less than MS65's. I'd go with an MS64 for the money.

These are great, beautiful rare coins and, while high priced, at least they are heavy in your hand and you can feel like you're getting your money's worth!

PS - forget about finding a PQ AU58 - they are already in MS holders!

michael

ttt
a great thread higa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sincerely michael

lordmarcovan

While I've only seen 3 or 4 ever (mostly MS63-64 in slabs), I did hold a raw AU in hand once. Whew! What a heavy monster! Considering how heavy and relatively soft gold is, the hairlines and scuffs on the Pan-Pac $50's are no surprise. Look at how baggy a lot of $20 Libs are- and then stop to think how much heavier the Pan-Pacs are than those!

I think the octagonal Pan-Pac $50 is my favorite U.S. coin, from a design standpoint alone. (I'd say the same thing if it were an affordable silver coin instead of a five-figure gold coin, but it's being gold makes it all the more impressive.)

topstuf

I have noticed that while going through mint-sewn bags of them, the nicer ones are usually on top.

MrEureka

I'm waiting to find one struck in silver. (Yes, it exists.)