Edison Dollar Commem MS70 % vs. West Point

wondercoin

I got in (3) PCGS-MS70 Edison Dollar Commems from a submission batch of 200 coins. I posted one on ebay at $149.95 opening bid with no reserve (it closes in about 9 days). That is a 1.5% MS70 grade through rate on these 200 submitted Dollar Commems. Of course, the MS70 grade through rate on the West Point Dollar Commem was over 10%! On the other hand, the First Flight MS70 Dollars were few and far apart. It is too early to tell whether the US Mint quality simply varies now from year to year (and Commem to Commem) on coins like these Dollar Commems. Of course, we witnessed the obvious drop in quality from the Philadelphia mint in its production of MS state quarters in 2003.

Any thoughts from "veterans" of the MS Dollar Modern Commem series? I recently started my own Registry set of MS Dollar Commems a few weeks ago - hopefully, a project with my son for many years to come.

Wondercoin

Manorcourtman

Wondercoin-

Any experience with the 2003 Wright Bros. 50c MS or Proofs? Wondering how tough you believe they will prove to be in 70.

M.

wondercoin

"Wondercoin- Any experience with the 2003 Wright Bros. 50c MS or Proofs? Wondering how tough you believe they will prove to be in 70. M."

M: IMHO, the WB MS Half is much easier than the Dollar to obtain in perfect MS70. I suspect roughly 5-10% of the half dollars could be "perfect". The Proofs - a far lower % IMHO. Also, the proofs tend to be very delicate coins. The handling alone from breaking it out of mint packaging to submitting, grading, sealing, etc. can take its tool on these proofs. For example, I had a perfect PR70 SBA $1 once that was tilted in the holder. Just fixing the coin in the PR70 holder caused the smallest of imperfections on the coin - incidently PCGS then removed it from the PR70 holder and regraded it PR69 and gave me a replacement PR70 coin, which I believe it purchased from existing DHRC inventory.

Wondercoin

moosesr

Wondercoin,

I am curious, how many coins did you look at to select the 200 coins you submitted for grading?

Thanks,
Charlie

wondercoin

Charlie: First, I did not personally submit any Edison coins. I got in the (3) MS70 specimens and asked my consignor the origin of the coins. In fact, I do not recall purchasing a single $1 from the US Mint in roughly the past year of any product whatsoever . But, that could change as a couple products interest me at this time. I submit very few coins these days. But, what I do submit is "primo" stuff and often sees walkthrough or express service (so my PCGS bill each month is still quite, quite high).

So, I believe the 200 submissions were from a 200 lot purchased from the mint.

Wondercoin