"Buy the coin and not the slab". This is an excellent idea, but how practical when upgradi

wingedliberty

I agree very much that quality coins are the way to go and one should always be on the lookout for PQ examples regardless of the holder. But consider this:

If you ever decided to upgrade within a series and decide to trade or sell your duplicates, If you are the dealer and care about how quickly you can turnover a piece or if it is a nice example but whithin a substandard slab, you have to consider crossing it to a legitimate service or selling it raw. If you are trading with fellow collectors, they will not be as generous also. This is fact.


If you die today, your heirs will stand to inherit a more liquid collection in PCGS/NGC holders.

It is possible to have the best of both worlds. Why not collect PCGS/NGC coins that are excellent in quality for the grade (PQ) and be happy and have piece of mind.

Fact: PCGS/NGC coins realize higher prices than the competition.

In the end you must enjoy your coins, that is the point, but why not enjoy them properly graded
in holders by services that have good reputations, that honor their guarantees, and are liquid.



Your thoughts?



Brian.

BAJJERFAN

Truer words were never spoken.
I hope I outlive my interest in coins; will make everything easier as right now no one in the family seems interested in coins.

MrEureka

Why not collect PCGS/NGC coins that are excellent in quality for the grade

IF, IF, IF the same coins can be bought in "inferior" slabs for a big discount, then you would be a fool not to buy the discounted slabs. On the other hand, it takes a true expert to pick out those rare opportunities.

As TDN would say, are you feeling lucky???

lordmarcovan

Buy the coin AND the holder.

Bear

Not everybody has either the ability or the inclination to grade accurately. You cant cherry pick

coins in secondary holders if you are only a part time collector.

A number of collectors are very

active attending shows and looking at thousands of coins usually in a few series

and have developed the skills necessary to pick and choose the best. For the rest of us

poor souls stick to the two main services.

RGL

To heck with the holder ... it's the coin! And, granted, nice coins stuck in inferior slabs should be placed in PCGS/NGC.

Unless I miss my guess -- and I do not believe I am being overly optimstic -- I will have some grades back in three coins in less than a month that will kick-butt relative to prices paid. Crackouts from three different services -- ACG, NTC and PCI ... fantastic coins in crappy holders, and which sold cheap as such, and an amazing certified buy once in PCGS blue ...

Edited to add, in a nod to Bear's words of wisdom, all three of these coins are in my specialty: early Jeff proofs -- I would be cautious about doing the same in a series you do not know...