Buying Gold $20 (PCGS v NGC)

CharlesDarwin

I'm almost done selling off my collection of crap coins to put my money into something I'd really like: a 1908 No Motto $20 Double Eagle, preferably in MS60, 61, 62, or 63.

I really don't want to pay high premiums for a highly graded coin, because that part doesn't matter too much to me. I'd just like an MS coin.

I've been looking at prices on ebay for these bad boys and the PCGS slabs sell for a good bit higher than the NGC slabs, so I'm thinking of picking up an NGC in low MS because it'll only cost me $500-$600, not over $600.

Does this seem right? Should I pay less for an NGC slab? Since I'm not too picky on condition, I guess an NGC slab is the way to go.

Any suggestions on how I should go about acquiring my 1908 No Motto?

CD

PS: I'm working my way towards a 1908 Gold Set (all 4 pieces), so this is just the first piece in the puzzle.

RYK

My observation has been similar to yours. PCGS MS generic $20's sell for a tad more than NGC coins. If you work at it, you could probably get a solid MS-63 NM 1908 $20 in an NGC holder that is quite pleasing.

Robert

Stuart

CharlesDarwin: I completely agree with RYK on recommending that you try for at least an MS-63 or an MS-64 $20 Saint.

The reasonable premium over lower grade Saints, in my opinion, is worth the quality alluring "look" of the coin.

Here's my MS-65, that has the "look" that I love in a Saint -- color and clean frosty fields... Good Luck and have fun searching!


1927 PCGS MS-65 $20 Saint Gaudens

Barry

Look for a nice AU58. It will look much nicer than an MS60-62 at a better price.
(edited for typo)

jom

Agree...if it's a better date (ie costly) look for some nice AU58s. It WILL take longer but you'll have nicer coins in the end. If it's a common date just go for a PQ 63. Again, you'll have to take your time and pick and choose but it's worth it.

jom

CharlesDarwin

That' a very nice coin, Stuart. I would like some that approaches that beauty.

roadrunner

The MS64 has more leverage in an upmarket. That's my choice. For 13% more than the price of a 63 you can cherrypick a near gem coin.
I just received a nice random group of PCGS 64's and was very happy with the quality. And 20% of the coins were PQ imo. And the PCGS coins only cost me $5 more than had I gone with NGC coins.

It is not hard to find a nice solid 64+ coin (looking like a 65) for essentially 64 money. Forget ebay as right off the bat you are paying a 5-10% premium to compete with every new kid on the block that wants to buy a Saint. Heck, I even saw an average PCGS64 piece bid to $750 in the past few days when it's worth closer to $675. But I can also attest that you can find old holdered Saints on ebay and make money on them. Then again, you can also overpay for these and lose too. If you do go the ebay route, then stick to the price guides and don't pay the $25-50 premium that PCGS saints seem to often get there. $10-15 should be the max premium I would pay.

63's are currently at around $560 wholesale with 64's at $635-640.
Expect to pay 5% more if you go via the retail route. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you'll eventually run into some older holdered PQ coins that are priced at no premium.

roadrunner

rays

Just go to any large show and you will see hundreds of lower grade slabbed double eagles. Some of these will be of the No Motto type. They are not rare (even in PCGS MS66, after the Wells Fargo Hoard). Take your pick. It's usually worth it to pay a little more for a coin with something special, be it a little more lustre, or fewer marks than typical for the grade. Based on experience, I would stay away from buying on ebay (which is essentially a sight-unseen market and usually priced accordingly).

PCBUM

A year ago I sold some coins to buy a $20 Double Eagle. I did also notice that PCGS is priced a little higher, but I like the PCGS holder and it being a clear holder makes it enjoyable to see the coin. You might want to think about in what holder the coin looks good in and which would hold it's value. Sell more coins to afford the PCGS coin or save up for it. Good luck.......

CharlesDarwin

It could be years before I ever make it to a coin show, so I'm probably going to have to deal with an online vendor or a brick and mortar.

Although, there are very few of those in my area. I was checking out Heritage and they have some very nice coins. Is that an improvement over sight-unseen Ebay?

I was going to just run with Ebay, but that doesn't sound like a choice most people are up for.

Thanks for all your advice!

BillJones

I'd say go to a major show if you can and hand pick a coin in either holder. I've seen NGC coins that were every bit as nice as their PCGS counterparts, so either service is fine.

The 1908 No Motto $20 gold is often not well struck and a bit dull. It's just the nature of the beast. You won't find a 1908 No Motto coin that is as bright as the 1927 that is pictured in this thread. So don't hold out for one because you won't find it.

I'd go with at least an MS-63 coin. There are smooth ones out there. Many MS-62 coins are sliders; MS-61 coins are usually too baggy. MS-60 is a very rare grade. The services seldom use it.

An AU-58 will cost you $480. An MS-63 will run you $620. For $140 I'd go for the better coin.

Of course these prices change from day to day, but MS-63 is a good jumping off point.

RYK

I agree with a lot of what what said here and 100% with Bill Jones' post. Since this is going to be a special coin for you, pick one up in person. Using ebay, it will be a crapshoot, and you are more likely to get stuck with a lousy one. As an occasional seller, if I wanted to rid myself of a Saint that was low-end for the grade, I would sell it on ebay. And frankly, the price you pay on ebay may be higher than in person.

Like PCBUM, I like the look of the Saint a bit more in the PCGS holder (interestingly, I like the look of the $20 Lib better in the NGC holder), but if you find the right coin in an NGC holder, buy it.

Good Luck!

roadrunner

The only gold dealer on ebay I would recommend would be Duvall Gold. They carry mostly NGC Saints and the quality is usually ok.
Sometimes quite nice. Their photos make it easy to see what you're getting.

roadrunner

PCBUM

I would agree that Duvall is one of the best for gold on Ebay..........

Placid

Look for the older no seperator ngc slabs, many would get +1 today.
Ngc in the early day's was considered by many to be more strick on gold than pcgs.

This thread has pictures of the older ngc holders.