The "picked-over" factor - How does it affect your collecting choices?

291fifth

Many US coin series, particularly the earlier ones, seem to be suffering from a severe "picked-over" stock problem. Large cents, with the EAC active for over 35 years, are severely "picked-over" so far as ordinary dealer stocks are concerned (specialist dealers still have good material available but it tends to be very pricey). The same appears to be true for the Seated Liberty series and Barber coins as well. Do you find yourself avoiding series that have this "picked-over" problem? Is it just becoming too difficult to collect these series? Is the "picked-over" problem a factor in driving more collectors into the easily available series like Morgan dollars?

tjkillian

No, I don't think this is a problem. In 35 years, a lot of coins have been bought and sold. Of course more have entered the market, especially due to the internet. besides, I have not personally looked at all of them. I do like Seated Liberty coins and it seems that I'm always looking for some.

Tom

Stuart

If you are a specialist in a particular series, and are willing to take some limited commercial risk, there are some bargains to be had in 2nd and 3rd tier slabs as well as some raw coins -- but I recommend that you exercise caution and study the series and the grading standards carefully before proceeding.

I also suggest that one limit your financial exposure on these coins until you can consistently pick lower tier and raw coins which will certify at either PCGS or NGC...

Many (perhaps most) of the raw coins out there which would be worth over $100 should be slabbed by a major grading service to maximize seller value. If they aren't slabbed, it's important to try and discern why not...